Friday Knight News
"If you do not develop mental toughness, all the techniques in the world will not save you." James Bode
How many times have you heard of a mother defending a child fending off larger and sometimes even armed assailants? If not, maybe it is possible that you have heard where a woman lifted a car to save someone. Surprisingly enough many of these encounters happen to individuals that have no martial art or fitness training background. Then on the other hand, we have also often heard of martial artist being defeated by someone with no rank or skill. Does this mean martial arts and fitness are not necessary? I do not believe so, martial arts can be a solid foundation to developing both the physical and psychological components necessary to enhance a person's chance of survival. Knowledge and technique is not enough and being aware is not enough, to win in the conflicts of life, or combat a person must have a fighting spirit. This phenomenon should not be ignored by martial artists, it would serve all martial artists to come to grips with this reality. Fighting spirit, the will to live is exhibited by individuals who have survived falls from rock-climbing, but had to dig deep and overcome their fear and injury to make their escape. Fighting spirit is seen in men and women who despite their injuries and limitations continue to train. Fighting spirit is seen in children and adults that have to work 16 to 20 hours a day often with inadequate nutrition until they can change their circumstances. People who suffer abuse physical or mental and continue on despite their depression and feelings of hopelessness show fighting spirit.
"Man never made any material as resilient as the human spirit." Bernard Williams
How many times have you heard of a mother defending a child fending off larger and sometimes even armed assailants? If not, maybe it is possible that you have heard where a woman lifted a car to save someone. Surprisingly enough many of these encounters happen to individuals that have no martial art or fitness training background. Then on the other hand, we have also often heard of martial artist being defeated by someone with no rank or skill. Does this mean martial arts and fitness are not necessary? I do not believe so, martial arts can be a solid foundation to developing both the physical and psychological components necessary to enhance a person's chance of survival. Knowledge and technique is not enough and being aware is not enough, to win in the conflicts of life, or combat a person must have a fighting spirit. This phenomenon should not be ignored by martial artists, it would serve all martial artists to come to grips with this reality. Fighting spirit, the will to live is exhibited by individuals who have survived falls from rock-climbing, but had to dig deep and overcome their fear and injury to make their escape. Fighting spirit is seen in men and women who despite their injuries and limitations continue to train. Fighting spirit is seen in children and adults that have to work 16 to 20 hours a day often with inadequate nutrition until they can change their circumstances. People who suffer abuse physical or mental and continue on despite their depression and feelings of hopelessness show fighting spirit.
"Man never made any material as resilient as the human spirit." Bernard Williams
People who have overcome psychological turmoil and conflict share common traits with victors of combat both armed and unarmed. It seems that the missing criteria to winning in life or in combat is to have a fighting spirit. Developing an indomitable spirit is after all listed as a goal of many fighting styles. The ability to put up with and continue on despite what might appear to be overwhelming odds is a mark of a strong fighting spirit. It always amazes me how many times I have run into martial artists that have never been in a fight; for their lives, a street fight, or even a schoolyard scrimmage.
In one sense this is a good thing because training in the martial arts is all about stopping and avoiding conflict. So this could be evidence that these martial artists have in fact have imbued themselves with the martial spirit to an extent that evildoers, bad guys, and bullies seek to avoid them. On the other hand it makes me wonder if they have lived in a sheltered society? I say that because every fight that I have found myself involved with has begun with a combination of multiple people, armed assault, or a surprise attack.
In one sense this is a good thing because training in the martial arts is all about stopping and avoiding conflict. So this could be evidence that these martial artists have in fact have imbued themselves with the martial spirit to an extent that evildoers, bad guys, and bullies seek to avoid them. On the other hand it makes me wonder if they have lived in a sheltered society? I say that because every fight that I have found myself involved with has begun with a combination of multiple people, armed assault, or a surprise attack.
"The potential for greatness lives within each of us." Wilma Rudolph
Many times I have found myself stepping in between an attacker and the intended victim. This is true even from schoolyard fights that I've been involved in with the exception of just a few. Telling the attacker that the police have been called is enough to stop some assaults, but I have seen this backfire to where the attackers expand their assault to include the witness. This is where having a fighting spirit enhances your martial arts abilities, in fact having a fighting spirit is a martial art skill. The Japanese refer to this as haragei and both my sensei and I have used this as the final element to measure before awarding someone with a black belt. Many students fail to pass beyond their brown belt because they give up too easily. Every black belt student that I have awarded rank to have shown some special talent or insight into the martial arts. Often times they might have fallen short of having the best speed, strength, or flexibility. But they succeeded in earning a shodan based on their ability to never surrender. The trick is to remember who you are and what you represent.
Below are links to my series of martial arts and paranormal fiction. I find that often we find secret hidden truth in fiction. It seems that fiction has a way to allow us to open up and search for possibilities that eluded us in normal reality. Without fiction we would not have been inspired to go to the moon. Many scientists were inspired by Jules Verne's novel from the Earth to the Moon, and later scientist were inspired by Star Trek. Tesla credited Mark Twain with saving his life from the reading of his fictional works as he was convalescing.
Jace Lee The Shift (Book 4 of the Dream-Walker)
Jace Lee The Shift: We find a new apprentice, Adam, that is fighting for his life. He is struggling to understand the amazing skills of his mentor, Jace Lee; a younger man that has trained under Xander Davidson. All the while his mentor attempts to reconcile the fact that his skills do not match up with the other Dream Walkers.
Jace Lee No Agenda (Dream Walker Book 5)
Jace Lee No Agenda: Jace Lee attempts to find himself on a self-imposed vision quest of sorts. Instead he finds himself being stalked by the same group that had previously sought after his teacher, (Xander Davidson). Instead of mastering his odd Dream Walking skills he finds love and the potential loss of his powers.
Jace Lee and the Tutelage of Ming Wu: Dream Walker 6
Jace Lee The Tutelage of Ming Wu: Jace Lee rejoins his teacher Xander Davidson as they cope with a possible combined threat (the mysterious), Ming Wu and the Council that has continuously monitored the Dream Walkers.
Below are links to my series of martial arts and paranormal fiction. I find that often we find secret hidden truth in fiction. It seems that fiction has a way to allow us to open up and search for possibilities that eluded us in normal reality. Without fiction we would not have been inspired to go to the moon. Many scientists were inspired by Jules Verne's novel from the Earth to the Moon, and later scientist were inspired by Star Trek. Tesla credited Mark Twain with saving his life from the reading of his fictional works as he was convalescing.
My stories are about martial arts adventures that are intertwined with paranormal or supernatural events. The following links are to the Kindle version books from the "Dream Walker” series. Our adventurers find themselves on a quest where they are confronted with both conspiracy and mystery. Their challenge is to unite their mind and body skills together utilizing what they have learned in the martial arts with the transcendental power of dream mediation. They attempt to do this while they are trying to make a life for themselves and elude those that seek to use and control them.
Conversations with a Sage (Book 1 of the Dream-Walker)
Conversations with a Sage: This explores Xander Davidson's early encounters with the mysterious fog like Dream Walking martial art sages. He ponders if they are real or if they are only remnants of his dreams. He mainly keeps this secret world to himself as he tries to copes with abuse, growing up without support or guidance and the mystery of his family's past.
Conversations with a Sage: This explores Xander Davidson's early encounters with the mysterious fog like Dream Walking martial art sages. He ponders if they are real or if they are only remnants of his dreams. He mainly keeps this secret world to himself as he tries to copes with abuse, growing up without support or guidance and the mystery of his family's past.
Xander and the Assassins Gift (Book 2 of the Dream-Walker)
The Assassins Gift: Xander Davidson struggles with the conspiracy of his family and the group that is actively trying to manipulate him to join them or die. The young Dream Walkers learns an early lesson to be careful about whom they let into their circle.
Warriors of Perception (Book 3 of the Dream-Walker)
Warriors of Perception: Xander Davidson and his band of friends embark on a mission to free themselves from their oppressors. They bravely face the challenge all the while vying for the right moment to turn the tables.
The Assassins Gift: Xander Davidson struggles with the conspiracy of his family and the group that is actively trying to manipulate him to join them or die. The young Dream Walkers learns an early lesson to be careful about whom they let into their circle.
Warriors of Perception (Book 3 of the Dream-Walker)
Warriors of Perception: Xander Davidson and his band of friends embark on a mission to free themselves from their oppressors. They bravely face the challenge all the while vying for the right moment to turn the tables.
Jace Lee The Shift (Book 4 of the Dream-Walker)
Jace Lee The Shift: We find a new apprentice, Adam, that is fighting for his life. He is struggling to understand the amazing skills of his mentor, Jace Lee; a younger man that has trained under Xander Davidson. All the while his mentor attempts to reconcile the fact that his skills do not match up with the other Dream Walkers.
Jace Lee No Agenda (Dream Walker Book 5)
Jace Lee No Agenda: Jace Lee attempts to find himself on a self-imposed vision quest of sorts. Instead he finds himself being stalked by the same group that had previously sought after his teacher, (Xander Davidson). Instead of mastering his odd Dream Walking skills he finds love and the potential loss of his powers.
Jace Lee The Tutelage of Ming Wu: Jace Lee rejoins his teacher Xander Davidson as they cope with a possible combined threat (the mysterious), Ming Wu and the Council that has continuously monitored the Dream Walkers.
No comments:
Post a Comment