Being Undefeatable

In the BBC series I mentioned in a previous post the presenter told a story about when he was younger and asked his master how he can become undefeatable. The master replied

"The sparrow never lands where the tiger prowls."

It took him 14 years to fully understand this and he asked the viewer how long it will take you. To me it means that you should not go putting yourself in dangerous situations or in a postion where it is possible for you to be defeated. This makes sense and it is something that Sifu Maury and my previous instructors have talked about. It is also familiar from Bruce Lee's works where he encourages the martial artist to always be aware of their surroundings, not walk too close to the entrance to alleyways in the city at night etc.

One thing we can learn from our martial arts training is how to avoid getting into combat situations in the first place. Being more aware of what is happening around us, assessing the threat in every situation. Also having the confidence to back down in physical confrontation situations, not easy to do when you know you can easily defeat the opponent. This knowledge however gives us the strength to calm our ego and take the insults to prevent being drawn into a fight which after all, even if we win we lose when we get taken to court for assault charges.

Nick
Green stripe sash

Living the Martial Way

I have just started a new book which I would highly recommend 'Living the Martial Way' by Forrest E. Morgan. The focus is to help shift your way of thinking of treating your martial art like a hobby which you practice on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays (while you practice bowling on Wednesday evenings instead). Instead, your martial art should become your way of life, you follow the Way of the Warrior where you are practicing your art with each breath you take. He writes about how many martial arts have been eroded in the West, as a sport version has been created to make them more popular and when winning points becomes the focus only the techniques that win the artificial points are studied and the true art is lost. While he acknowledges the physical benefits of training this way, this is not a martial art, this is not the Way of the Warrior.

Morgan was trained in the Japanese arts of Shotokan Karate and Aikedo, so his main understanding comes from the Japanese arts. His greatest inspiration seems to be Funakoshi, perhaps the most famous Karate teacher.

"You must be deadly serious in training. When I say that, I do not mean that you should be reasonably diligent or moderately in earnest. I mean that your opponent must always be present in your mind, whether you sit or stand or walk or raise your arms."
Gichin Funakoshi's first rule for the study of Karate-Do.

This is a contrast to the idea in Kung Fu that we "play" at Kung Fu. I am sure when you look into kung fu at a deeper level then this approach to play may not be so far removed from Funakoshi's rule.

Following the Way of the Warrior means you need to set yourself apart from the rest of the population to some degree, you are exceptional in your pursuit of physical, mental and spiritual excellence. Following warriorship is a powerful way to live, and by upholding a higher degree of honorable and ethical standards these people tend to excel in their careers as well.

Nick
Green stripe sash

Mind, Body and Kick-Ass Moves

There has been a television series in the UK called "Mind, Body and Kick-Ass Moves" where a combat expert from Birmingham, England travels the world, meeting masters of various arts. He also talks to the average person in the street and teaches them basic self-defense techniques. The series is exceptional, many thanks to my sister for the Christmas gift - 3 months late, but much appreciated.

He told a wonderful little story from the series to illustrate why a master will never divulge all his secrets to a student.

"The cat taught the tiger how to fight and be strong. One day the tiger turns on the cat and attacks it. The cat runs up a tree and escapes - the one thing the cat didn't teach the tiger..."

Nick
Green stripe sash