The Gift of Failure for Christmas

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Most everything I have done in my life has blossomed from my passion for the martial arts. Although most of the time it seems to have sprung from a dung hill. Yet, I have noticed that martial arts have helped not only myself, but others to grow in three very distinct areas which are: Physically, mentally, and emotionally. The funny thing is that most of all these changes come filtered through strength, endurance and flexibility training that begins most of our martial art study. The martial arts changes our vision of how we see ourselves and the world. 

I studied martial arts on my own from FBI manuals as a kid and then from my first teacher who studied Kempo-jutsu in occupied Japan. It was a non-commercial type of instruction; on a one-on-one basis. I was to be his apprentice in magic but I had a strong interest in martial arts too so he showed me both. While pressure from churches my family attended, made it near impossible to study either magic or martial arts as both things were evil, in their sight. Many people from these groups even went so far as to tell me that my Asian friends and teachers were also evil. Still, I did manage to attend commercial schools now and again. These were mainly melting pot styles and/or Hapkido and Tae Kwon Do schools which at the time were called Korean Karate. 

Although I mainly worked in private situations, either from work or with basement/garage type schools and this happened from the late 60's to the late 80's. I had moved several times in my youth and continued to do so after I was married. This enabled me to train with many styles and mixed Americanized systems. The concepts of Jeet Kune Do (JKD) was a big influence on most of my teachers and myself. 

From my teen years out, I found that these teachings worked on the street. I learned this in single and multiple attacker confrontations as well as ambush situations throughout my life. I worked for doctors, lawyers, butchers and bakers to name a few jobs, I also worked in security and law enforcement. Because of some of my work, my background and upbringing I never trusted people and especially organizations. I always have held people off because of my experiences and I tell you this just to give you an idea of how hard it was for me to join my teacher’s organization. 

As it was, he hated the politics of martial arts and he had set up a primarily law enforcement type of family organization that covered an area of a few states. This set up worked well until he retired. My teacher was big into scenario based training, and he taught that everything was situational. It seems to me that the pedigree of the martial arts isn't as important as the value of the instruction. My first few instructors had given me confidence, awareness, along with a basis of hard training in grappling, strikes and throws but nothing in the way of concepts. It was merely a list of fitness goals and techniques required to go from rank to rank. That was where JKD came in and this changed things dramatically for me. 

Still, I knew something was missing that they were not willing to tell me or didn't know. This was where my greatest benefit in the martial arts was derived from an instructor that I met years into my development. While he didn't have a great pedigree in the arts he knew his stuff and most importantly he had experience in the field with non-cooperative individuals. So, even if others thought of him as a fake with a Soke title (which simply meant head of the federation to us), I didn't mind. He opened my eyes to study and encouraged me to train with other top ranked people. I was surprised when speaking with Joe Lewis that he knew the group that my teacher had come up through. My sensei had left his old group after he had achieved a 7th dan in karate, and a similar rank in jujutsu and a 4th in a Tomiki off shoot that had been specialized for LEO's, (law enforcement officers). 

At the time I joined his federation most of the leaders of the federation were LEO's. My sensei (Tom Manson), was in charge of three fifths of the districts in Ohio. He wrote the states sexual assault handbook along with another officer (master instructor in our federation). Plus, he taught armed and unarmed tactics to parole and probation officers, state troopers, county deputies, as well as municipal police departments. The tactics include pepper spray, shooting, hand-to-hand defense, rappelling, etc. and he was a gun armourer (certified by Glock, S&W and Colt), for the state. He also taught special classes that Federal Marshals, and the Langley type guys attended and I had the privilege to work with him. 

What drew me to his classes was that the men in his organization were on par with many of the greats that I had trained under. I was used to working with the likes of Joe Lewis, Bill Wallace, Michael DePasquale both Sr. and Jr. (Sr. was considered the father of American Ju-jitsu) and he had received the only lifetime achievement award from Black Belt Magazine before his passing in 2006. My sensei introduced me to men like John Saylor, Mark Shuey, and Tony Annesi to name a few, all of whom were inspirations. Tony Annesi's writings in particular had been a huge influence on me from my youth. 

More recently James Williams has opened my eyes to how the principles and teaching of the sword can future refine and polish our skills. This being that there are no good ways to trade blows with giant sized razor blades. The sword teaches us the importance of surviving conflict with modern applications in real world situations. From this we learn the spirit and mind of a warrior. 

Martial arts has been a gift to me as it gave me the confidence to stand up for others without having to go into a rage. It also helped me become self-deprecating to defuse situations or break down social barriers. Martial arts has inspired me to tackle areas where I had failed at before and it has helped me endure pain from injuries and try to work around them. Martial arts has taught me that failure is the biggest part of the gift of improvement.

EDC Do It Anyway

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"You cannot escape the responsibility of tomorrow by evading it today." Abraham Lincoln 

Most martial arts schools have in their creed an oath to protect those that cannot protect themselves. The wording varies from school to school but the tradition of service and sacrifice in the face of danger has been passed down over the generations in all groups that represent warriors. It is not any surprise that military and law enforcement branches are the foremost of these groups in our present-day society with martial artists, at least from traditional backgrounds coming in behind. Still all warriors need to know the tools of the trade and that means weapons.

Is it easy to stand up to armed criminals? If you ever have to do so, could you? Let me tell you it is easier to do so if you are armed and that is even if you don't have to use your weapon. Although if I ever have to draw my weapon, then nine chances out of ten it is because of an active shooter. I stay away from trouble and always have tried to do so. But sometimes trouble falls on you or others around you. Every day carry is the responsibility for anyone claiming to be a warrior. We never know the likelihood of having a dangerous encounter when we wake up in the morning. If we did we wouldn't need to study self-defense or carry tools of protection with us as we could avoid these situations. If you do not have the training needed to carry, there are courses you can take and daily drills you can perform to keep your skills adequate.

Carrying weaponry goes a long way in creating the awareness necessary for this mindset. People who do not possess the capability of controlling themselves mentally and emotionally are not fit to represent the warrior class nor to carry the tools of the trade. Likewise, people who rely on others to be the protectors in society are not fit to carry the mantle of being a warrior. I have heard people say that they don't practice every day carry because of the lack of comfort, while others do not carry because of fear of the responsibility that comes with it. Some individuals have even complained that they couldn't be bothered with always trying to be aware and in control of their weapon and/or emotions. While other people sometimes claim that warriors who practice Ever Day Carry (EDC), have an inferiority complex or are just afraid and they rely on their weapon to compensate for it. This, of course, may be true in some cases but it should not be the norm.

Often martial artists claim they don't need a weapon due to their training. To some extent this is true, until a weapon is pulled. At this point a martial artist will discover that EDC will enhances a martial artist's ability to intervene in difficult situations. EDC helps even when there is no time to draw. As a lifelong martial artist and a former LEO and personal protection specialist, I've never had to pull a weapon. That is with the exception of drawing weapons on felony stops, which was a requirement. That being said doesn't mean that I have not had guns, knives and other lethal weapons pulled or used against me. Yet, there are restrictions in our society to EDC but as a practice it truly enhances the warrior mentality of excellence, service, and sacrifice. EDC is a responsibility and a burden but do it anyway, you never know if your skills will be required to save the life of your loved one or the loved ones of others.

"The price of greatness is responsibility." Winston Churchill 

Practice Your Philosophy

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"Luck is what happens when preparation meets opportunity. "Seneca 

How do we practice the philosophy of a warrior? It is simple to do this we need activities that combine the mind and body together. To make this training successful it ought to be able to be used in and out of the training hall. This requires one to live simply by seeking the yin and yang in all things. It takes a great deal of mental training to simplify, and weak minded people have a hard time with it. Yet, the cutting away of our mental crutches are difficult as they give us a feeling of insulation against the perils of life. Recognizing that you began with nothing and will end in the same manner is a first step to cutting away useless things.

So, what are the things you require to get by with on a day-to-day basis?. What if you lost them all due to fire, flood or other disaster? What would you need to survive, succeed and thrive? Contemplating these things should get you started, but you can also apply this concept to your martial art practice. What skills and tools would you need to rely on in a hand-to-hand fight? Being mentally prepared should also be at the forefront in this training. Mindfulness and self-imposed discomforts are two of the greatest keys to developing a warrior's mindset and one of the greatest martial art practices of all time is that of musha shugyō. To practice musha shugyō is to follow the footsteps of the ancient samurai warriors.

What is musha shugyō? It is a warrior quest or maybe better put as a warrior’s pilgrimage. Being on a warrior’s pilgrimage is much like the knights errant of old, but today it can be as simple as visiting another dojo or taking a seminar in another style. It can also be made to go up another level simply by applying this concept to your journey to and from these events. Such as by limiting yourself to giving up some comforts along the way. You can begin by asking yourself what can you do without, such as giving up a hotel room or fancy dinners. You might camp out on the beach if you are near the ocean or stay in the dojo if it is open to sleeping bags for guests. To practice such training is to be a shugyosha and your environment itself dictates the level of harsh training you endure. This is the life of a shugyōsha and simply going out into the world while having to rely on yourself and your skills is in fact a form of musha shugyō.

One factor to help grantee that you have a great musha shugyō is to develop a good sense for premeditatio malorum. Premeditatio malorum is the Latin name for a martial art exercise that I have taught my students and it means the premeditation of evils. It seems to me that the samurai were masters in the stoic mindset. I have followed stoicism all my life, at least from the time of first reading Sherlock Homes; he seemed to me to be stoic. Logic and stoicism go hand in hand after all, but I have had people accuse me and later on tell my wife that I had no emotion, which is far from true. Yet, anyone that lives should be aware that life is often hard and that the only easy day was yesterday. Being prepared for the worst case scenario helps buffer the pain and shock of anticipated events.

How to Be a Great Martial Artist

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"I became a martial artist in spite of my limitations.” Bruce Lee

Do you have what it takes to be a great martial artist? To answer this fairly, one should be able to define what constitutes being a martial artist. Second of all, you need to define what it is that fulfills your expectations of greatness. I would like to use illustrated art as an example to make my point. As for me, there is a difference between someone who draws as a hobby and that of a professional artist. Yet in the professional art category some differentiate between styles and mediums as to what is an artist. I often hold cartoonists in as high regard as photo realistic painters or modern artist and the old Renaissance painters, art after all, is very subjective and often influenced by popularity. However, procuring a living from your work is only one of the variables as this goes beyond just merchandising your artwork. I’ve seen many amateur artists that I prefer over professional artists, some monetary considerations aside, I would maintain that the relentless pursuit and desire to express yourself in any medium defines an artist, which would be inclusive of graphic arts, music, literature, dance and combative arts. 

The second part of this problem is much like the first, and it too can be very subjective. Although there are hallmarks, skills, and abilities that help define and establish greatness. Tenacity, determination, resolve are necessary elements for reaching the solution. In my opinion, it takes a balance between internal and external disciplines to establish greatness. Internally a martial artist should have intimate knowledge of the skills that define his or her art. Coupled with this is the desire to seek and refine knowledge. Yet having great knowledge without courage, sincerity, benevolence, the desire for justice, and respect for others leaves an artist in a position of deficit. 

While physically being well rounded, and diversified in the areas of strength, endurance, and flexibility is beneficial. No one has a perfect balance as we all have areas that show our hidden strengths and weaknesses. So, having a kinetic sense of these elements in ourselves and others also helps assess martial artists throughout our lives. After all, the ability to adapt to our environment around our shortcomings becomes more apparent as we age or need to recover from an injury or illness. We are martial artists despite our limitations. 

Every day training is the perfect balance for establishing ourselves as great martial artists. After all, it proves to ourselves that we have the mental toughness to do one aspect of our training despite whatever setback we are going through. Every day training can be applied to our weak points or our strong points and one of the greatest benefits of all is that it can vary from day-to-day. This at least keeps the rust from forming on any specific skill set that is not in our prime focus. As to having a prime focus, I believe this is determined by the individual's preference and overall natural abilities. Make sure that you establish greatness in this one area. Make sure that your technical knowledge, physical training, and mental strategies, overlap to aid in establishing world-class proficiency. Last but not least, do your best to help those around you.

“Instead of trying to do everything well, do those things perfectly of which you are capable." Bruce Lee

Are You a Pretend Martial Artist

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"When you are talking about fighting with no rules, well then, baby, you'd better train every part of your body." Bruce Lee.

I have often heard martial artists that train in systems that utilize no sporting contest in their curriculum, referred to other martial artists that competed in sport as pretend martial artists and/or weekend warriors. Then again, I've heard precisely the same thing in reverse. It seems that on the other side of the coin these other martial artists that didn't compete were looked upon as weak and untested. As I have experience in both camps I can see the validity in both arguments.

Sporting competition does helps develop the will to win. It also encourages us, martial artists, to keep in shape. Being in shape is important whichever camp you're in, as long as we realize that there is a difference between peak performance and everyday consistent readiness. A good argument can be made that you fight like you train and practicing not going for illegal sport targets will hinder you in a real fight. But, I have found that most of the time this goes toward sensibilities more than anything else.

Wearing protective gear helps to test your timing and other abilities while lessening damage to you and your partner. However, if you always wear gloves and safety gear to hit and defend, this can curtail your ability to keep your tools sharp and your body hardened. On the other hand, sometimes wearing safety equipment prevents both wearer and receiver from reacting in a natural manner. In the martial arts what it always seems to come down to is will your stuff work against an unwilling participant. You can not base this on if your style worked for someone else a hundred years ago, but only if you can pull it off. This also implies that you can defend against an attack that you don't know is coming. Not only that, but will your techniques work against someone that has picked up a telegraphed signal from you. Then, there is the psychological factor to consider. Part of the equation is do you have the stomach to get blood and gore on you in the process, fights are often bloody and even worse.

Plus, I have often heard individuals from either camp being squeamish about sticking their fingers in someone's nose or mouth. Although they often cite, that their first line of defense would be a finger jab to the eye. I have found that any time that you stick a finger into an orifice, including the eye, can be repugnant for at least one but often both individuals. I'm not that fond of having to do it even if it is for self-defense, but it is better than having to kill them to get them to stop. None the less I am partial to throat strikes, and other such soft targets.

But groin shots, knee kicks, and the like will not stop everyone. I personally have had my leg broken and hands at different time, as well as dislocations etc, this includes groin shots with no cup and I've finished off the attacker/s on and off the mat. I wasn't even on drugs or in a rage and I'm not a tough guy. Yet, if the attacker has a weapon or there are more of them, then these vulnerable targets must be used; especially if you cannot get to a weapon.

Speaking of which, another thing that always needs to be addressed and tested when you're training for real martial arts is weapon proficiency. On the street even if you are only in a strong arm attack once the bad guy begins to lose he will go for a weapon. This isn't even considering that the bad guy probably started off with a weapon or multiple individuals on his side to gain the upper hand. Real fights almost always begin as sneak attacks, so real martial artists will do training to develop awareness and avoidance tactics. All of these factors together can be foundational to developing yourself as a real martial artist.

"The ultimate aim of martial arts is not having to use them" Miyamoto Musashi

Stillness in Motion

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Psalm 138:8 The Lord will perfect that which concerns me...

Stillness in motion is foundational to motion in stillness, learning to relax is big step to both of these goals. One of my biggest problems in the martial arts and life is the fact that I have a tendency to giveaway or walk away from anything that I have or ever wanted to avoid conflict. Yet, this is a big part of why I study martial arts. The willingness to hack away at the unessential is part of the growing process. Over the years I have seen this doesn’t work well, as somethings are worth fighting for,but I also have found that entering into conflict (winning or losing), doesn’t work out well either. 
The trick is learning to identify what is necessary, so how do you define what is essential? I would suggest that you check out Maslow's hierarchy. The hierarchy may vary for each individual depending on where they are in life. My tendency to walk away is paradoxical as I have often stood up for others. In so far as to taking beatings to save friends and even strangers from having to endure pain, or unjust punishment. This willingness (some say stubbornness, or stupidity), did garner me praised from my old high school principle. Of course, that doesn’t buy a cup of coffee but the memory of old (HG) Harry Gardner, recognizing me years later and stopping me as an adult on the sidewalk to tell me so, has kept me warm many times over the years.

Still, I have never been pleased with anything that I have done; but I often try to act like it. While trying to figure out why I have been unable to change my mental reset despite years of affirmations, I came upon some interesting readings. They were comparing thought processes to software and the brain as hardware. It seems from my reading of these case histories of people in similar situations. These people that have had negative reinforcement during their formative years often have it programmed into their hardware. It seems that I qualified for this on many levels, from beatings, Stockholm syndrome, survival guilt, etc.

This might explain why I play Metallica’s “Bleeding of Me”, back to back on a continuous loop. Well it's either that or Green Day’s, “Good Riddance (Time of Your Life)". I use this as justification for why I never fit in with the good old boys from the dojo that wanted to go down to the bar and unwind. That and for having a tremendous stick up my backside. Seeing how I never have been drunk or high, not counting the opiates the doctors used on me during my recovery from any of the aforementioned beatings, conflicts, or gaps in wisdom.

Regardless music in the dojo is a very valuable tool, this is doubly so especially with advanced training. Music helps you develop rhythm and to understand when to break rhythm, and even more importantly to relax. Relaxation is vital to winning against greater speed, or strength. Relaxation is a key to finding an often untapped resource from within yourself. Hopefully, soon you will be able to develop motion in stillness, being able to feel the rhythm within, first with yourself and then with others. So, even if you are a wreck, mentally and physically, unable to be satisfied with anything you do, this relaxation technique might just help. At least until the end of the song, but then you can always hit replay.

Confidence & Awareness

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"Confidence comes from your technique." Joe Lewis


For many people ego and bravado is a mask of confidence, but it is a false mask. In the martial arts these individuals were referred to as paper tigers. However, that was before the advent of the internet. After the advent of the internet, these people have become to be known as keyboard warriors and other such directives. Many of whom have never had a fight. A few have only had a school yard dust up, once in their lives. Yet, for the most part none of them had to face someone with a weapon while they themselves were unarmed that wanted to take something from them. Generally, what they want can be boiled down to one of four things, money, sex, validation, or your life.

It is easier to face down a stranger (online), that they have never met in their lives and fight on the keyboard than face a living enemy. Although many paper tigers and keyboard warriors might feel as if they have faced down others and won a fight simply because the other person walked away before things escalated into violence. The truth is many verbal disagreements do escalate into violence especially if there is a chemical lubricant invoked in the mix, either that or sex and/or money.

It still is quite another thing to have a stranger or group of strangers wanting to tear you apart often with no warning. This is compounded when they are armed. Many of my friends that were great martial artists and could beat me playing by the rules for points always asked for me as an escort when we went out to any place that might have the potential for trouble. They knew that I had weight in my strikes. I was always being told that I had heavy hands, and the like, despite my slight build. Even after I first reached six foot late in high school I only weighed 135 pound. Still, I did thousands of calisthenics a day but it was my fascination with hand and body conditioning that set me apart in this venue. Even as I grew to 6 ft 1 and a half inch tall and exploded to 155 pounds my hapkido instructor would often tell me I had perfect technique. Yet, I knew that there was something else that was more important as many of my friends also had as good or better form than myself.

Don't get me wrong, I tried my best to have perfect techniques but I had already lived through several traumas that my doctors had told me should have killed me by this point. I spent a lot of time trying to merge my kempo, jujutsu and hapkido together, I used the guidelines of Jeet Kune Do to aid me. However, years later after I meet Tom Manson, sensei I found that by emphasizing the aiki arts helped this a good deal but earlier on I had come to see that the true element to becoming great was something altogether different.

It was mindfulness, but developing technique was a key to mindfulness. The simple truth is mindfulness is moving meditation, it is simple but simplicity is hard. Developing this brought me a lot of attentions in certain circles. Groups that I eventual tried to avoid association with altogether. After a while, it seems I managed to suffocate the flame. Today I wish only to fan the flames of consciousness, at least enough to keep a dying ember alive a bit longer; yet, there still is a desire to do so.  Along with it there is the memory of the burden of awareness. So my question, is it only ego that craves this illumination of the mind, or is there something else much deeper that yearns for it? My warning is this, be careful as being on all the time has a cost.

The Goal of Mastery

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“A goal is not always meant to be reached, it often serves simply as something to aim at.” Bruce Lee 

As I see it, mastery is a paradox. As an aspiring artist, we are encouraged and instructed to follow the examples of the masters that came before us. This is true if you are a wood worker, artist, musician, brick layer, or stonemason. Yet, we also have to evolve past the rather mundane techniques of our chosen discipline to reach a level where other masters are willing to accept us into the martial art guild. Normally, that consists of the circle and association that you belong to. It is a bit more rare to be accepted by those outside of your association unless your repetition proceeds you. However, you know you are on the right path when people that are known internationally recognize your mastery right away. This is rightly so in my point of view. 

Although, I believe mastery is evident in effectiveness even if it it limited to a very specific area, range, or style. It is not every school of thought that wants to practice and train in weapons, striking, kicking, grappling, and mediation arts. Some schools like to preserve the history of a certain time period while other schools place the ability to adapt the art to modern times and situations. Even among these schools there can be further separations along this line when considering if weaponry should be included in the curriculum.

While Mushashi said, "The ultimate aim of martial arts is not having to use them." He also said,“from one thing, know ten thousand things.” It seems to me that in the west we have often mislabeled or mismanaged the term master and the concept of mastery. Although many will say the same about stanch traditionalist; using that term for someone that adheres to a particular manner and time frame interpretation of a given art. 

Many schools will train with any ancient weapon. Other schools might only allow classical hand-to-hand weapons that were used by the founders of the style or system. Yet many schools abstain from any and all projectile weapons ancient or otherwise. However, others look at a more pragmatic approach and train with only adaptive weapons of opportunity. Many people train with combinations, including guns and ancient ways together. I sometimes fall into each grouping. But I also can find value in arts with mixed histories of dubious origins and overlapping teaching. That is as long as there is a practical application behind them that can be reproduced effectively. It is not that these styles are purposely fraudulent often the members are just passing along what they were told. 

There are some masters that intentionally hide their secrets to keep those that would misuse them at a disadvantage. While I feel this is dishonest to paying students, but I understand  the need for instructors to pay their bills. Still if you don't trust someone don't teach them or at least teach them in steps so that you can see their true colors. But in another way this is sort of what they are doing, in/yo aka yin and yang.

"The transition from student to teacher forced me to realize that what I had once viewed as a secret and protective withholding of information by a teacher was really an attempt on his part to increase and maintain constant improvement in students by forcing them to develop an adequate basis for further development. Students want to know everything and they want to know it now. The question is, just how much can they really know without the proper background development?" Jesse Glover

PS: On a side note I am preparing a new website and book launch. I will do an update on all my books at this time. Book 8 of the series will have a special surprise, this book (from my Dream Walker series), will incorporate a character based on an internationally known man of mystery, realtor and JKD aficionado Derek Chin! As usual even my fictional books will have real life lessons and martial art encounters based on a melange of events from encounters of my fiends, associates, students and myself. Although you have to remember this series is a sci-fi/fantasy so don't expect to be able to figure out the actual chain of events, as timelines, people and places are all fictional.

The Top Secrets to Learning the Martial Arts

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 “It takes 1,000 days to forge the spirit and 10,000 days to polish it.”  Miyamoto Musashi

This blog goes beyond just practice, although that still is the foundation to learning the martial arts. Today marks a new step and achievement in our journey together. Every step forward is a move in the right directions especially if that step is taken willfully and with consciousness. I have found, over the years, that slow motion movement works well with our development, especially when it comes to working on the consciousness level. What we aim to achieve is extrinsic learning. Extrinsic learning involves an understanding of the technique that we are practicing but at a deeper level. Basically, intrinsic learning is the experiential knowledge gained through our somatosensory system. To break this down further, we have seven subsets of learning. Most people are geared to learn better in the right combinations of these subsets.

Visual: If you prefer watching to understand, then you are a spatial learner.

Aural: If you prefer listening, then you are an auditory learner.

Verbal: If you prefer talking and writing about your study, then you are a linguistic learner.

Physical: If you prefer using your body, hands and sense of touch, then you are a kinesthetic learner.

Logical: If you prefer using systematic systems, then you learn best by reasoning things out.

Social: If you prefer to learn with other people, then modeling the behaviors of others helps you learn.

Solitary: If you prefer to work alone and use self-study, then you are an intrapersonal learner.

Everyone seems to have a bit of each learning type but in general, yet we often show a preference to different aspects in various environments. Still, it requires a certain amount of concentration and repetition to ingrain these skills so that they can be engaged as automatic responses. The repetition of a physical motion increases the thickness of the myelin sheath. This myelin sheath helps insulate the nerve fibers that you get after 30,000 to 50,000 repetitions and some say after 10,000 hours of deliberate practice. So, it is the quality of your practice that signals our reflexes to work more efficiently. Quality in the martial arts is defined as what works efficiently under stress. In the martial arts and combat situations the ability to respond without thought is not only Zen like, it is critical. 

Two Hundredth Blog

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"Martial arts are a practice, and what you practice, you will become, who will you become?" Adam Chan

Happy April first, as this is the two hundredth blog it seems that we should look at something important, but don't worry it will not be an April Fool's Day joke. In our lives of as warriors we tend to seek the ever elusive perfection. So, this means we either learn to deal with failure, or we become delusional. Delusional in the belief that our stuff is better than any other stuff without ever testing it, or in other words pretending that the world is only as we see it. In reality, we all do a bit of both, as it is nearly impossible to cope with the injustices of life without retreating into our own personal delusions. We as individuals are called on to save the earth, the poor, the sick, the down trodden and we all do what we can. Although it is hard not to become jaded, when we give and only the middle man seems to profit from our sacrifice.

Martial arts is a haven to me as it is easy to see that we need to find a balance in its study that translates into everyday life. Working toward the goal of being as good as our seniors without tearing ourselves up in the process is a good example. We cannot expect to achieve even these simple goals overnight. Just as we cannot expect to change the world if we cannot change ourselves.

Often we understand that because of our limitations we are unable to mimic certain techniques in the same manner that people we admire utilized them. Still with time and practice, we can at least learn how to adapt them to our circumstances and situations. 

Miyamoto Musashi once mentioned, “It is said the warrior's is the twofold Way of pen and sword, and he should have a taste for both Ways. Even if a man has no natural ability he can be a warrior by sticking assiduously to both divisions of the Way.” I am working toward this goal and my training has focused more on simplification. I am working at getting a YouTube channel going where I want to cover things that I find inspiring. Martial arts adventure and writing are what makes me happiest with what I do. It keeps my mind off of my personal failures and the things in life that I have tried to change through sacrifice as well as pain. The five gates of blood, bone, wind, nerve and mind and the guiding three principles of movement keep my martial arts practice true. While my writing (even in the fantasy and sci-fi category), gives me a bit of outreach to help those that are interested. 

Rand Law Books

Guns, Swords, Meditation and Breathing

Mushin University™ Self-Knowledge the Ultimate Knowledge

Weapons like guns and swords intensify your martial art practice. Meditation helps give control to these elements, and it can be done both while moving or motionless. It doesn't matter if you are standing, sitting, or lying down each position can be used for meditation. Breathing is the key to good meditation no matter the position, I like using 100 deep breaths a day as a bench mark. In the past students have asked me what’s so important about doing one hundred deep breaths a day. Generally, as a follow-up question they also inquire about what does breathing have to do with meditation?

The answer to these two questions are very important to martial artists seeking to expand their training beyond mere self-defense. Tyson was up from Texas recently, and I included a few things here I wanted to emphasis on this subject. We tried to cover as much material as possible, but the three days flew past. I found that I never touched on half of the things I wanted too, but here are a few things that I might have glossed over. 

The act of purposeful breathing is beneficial to vitality and health as well as consciousness and emotional control training. I am reminded of the quote by Lao Tzu that in my mind fits perfectly here, “Do the difficult things while they are easy and do the great things while they are small.” So what does this have to do with the first two questions postulated by my students? The answer is very simple and can be answered on multiple levels, first of all it is a simple task to perform. Well theoretically it is, but most people dismiss its importance out of hand and never get it achieved because of its simplicity. I would compare it to the drill instructor insisting on the new recruits satisfactorily making their rack, bunk, bed every morning. It is a small feat, but no matter how the rest of your day goes at least you will have achieved one goal. 

Next on the list, is that the deep breathing can be done all at once, or broken down to two, three, or four sets. Listen to your body and use what you like either twenty-five, thirty-three, or fifty repetitions followed by a cleansing breath. Of course, many of us feel that in our busy lifestyles we can't take the time. Still, this is when we should take the time, and I like to use it in three sets prior to consuming breakfast, lunch, and dinner, whenever I feel pressed for time. I do thirty inhalations followed by the thirty-first exhalation breath hold, then the thirty-second breath hold is on an inhalation and the thirty-third breath is generally just a cleansing breath, or two if I'm feeling generous. Now as for what it has to do with meditation, breathing focuses our mind on one point. Achieving one point is the first step to achieving mushin, (no mind no thought). Of course, the period that you can sustain mushin is best developed through practice. Together these elements enhance your empty-hand martial art training and your weapon training. This has very easily seen results in shooting skills and even tameshigiri.

Rand Law Books

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Situational Awareness

Mushin University™ Self-Knowledge the Ultimate Knowledge

Finally the day has arrived where I finally begin my once a month blog spots under the new banner. The new banner is only new in the sense that it is replacing the old title of Friday Knight News. I will still cover martial arts and training in my spots but I will also use this blog as an announcement board for events and adventures that I am seeking or doing.

To start off, Mushin University™ Self-Knowledge the Ultimate Knowledge first appeared in my book, "Enlightenment Kicking and Screaming (The Paradox of Martial Art Training)". I was very happy to receive three great forwards for this book from Kay Frances Brewer, Adam Chan, and Steve Smith. All great people who are well known for their character, skills, and obvious kindness. I do greatly appreciate their encouraging words. Today, I am going to outline what it is that I would like to accomplish with this new turn of events on this blog. I am planning on doing some YouTube post and also video post to my Rand Law Patreon page. The topics will vary from mental and physical aspects of the art. Most of which will focus on self-training practices and a diverse assortment of requests that students and other martial artist have requested for me to do.

Of course, I want to address the importance of incorporating the martial arts into your daily life both in and outside of the dojo, dojang, kwoon, or gym. My most recent little adventure was an eye opener for me. It didn't require any self-defense skills per say other than what is gained from paying attention. I had dropped off my mother-in-law at the chiropractor's office and a distraught individual came in begging for help in the way of getting a ride. No one was willing to oblige but I volunteered to do so after my mother-in-law's appointment was finished. After hearing the plea, my mother-in-law told me it was alright for me to go now and that I could pick her up when I was finished. I think she and the other people wanted the individual out of the office.

When I returned, several people asked about how things went and some had expressed concern for my safety. This was a big shock to me as I had gone in the course of a few short years from being called by my son's high school and college aged acquaintances as the "scary dude", to an old guy. An old guy that people were worried about my welfare for helping out a stranger. Alright, I will admit the individual was less than half my age and was dressed in a rough just out of prison sort of way. But what got me was no one noticed that the desperate person was a little gal just dressed in men's clothing. It made me realize that people who couldn't spot this were not likely to spot if a person was armed or not. Even if they had taken martial art classes, or a gun self-defense course their lack of situational awareness would void their training.

Rand Law Books



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Hiatus

"Fiction reveals truths that reality obscures." Jessamyn West

I have been on a sabbatical to focus on a new direction with the blog, and the end of the Dream Walker series. The final novel will included a guest appearance of Derek Chin, who will display some of his well known charm and wit as well as his JKD skills.

I hope you like the new design of the blog page as well as the new end of the month installments. The focus on a once a month newsletter type of approach should allow for more time to fulfill my obligations with less stress. The direction of the blog as well as the direction for my next books (at least for the foreseeable future), will be on the ever evolving discovery of self through little adventures. Life is best approached as an adventure, and this is the direction I wish to take in my blog and books. My Dream Walker series was a part of this adventure but it was retrospective of my life from three separate points of view. Each of the main characters in the series of eight books were part of an examination of what could have happened in this fictional world. I still based all of the stories on my life and experiences as well as some of my friends and students but with alterations in the time line, organizations, and the blending of multiple personalities together.

My next books and blogs will address adventures that I am undertaking or am planning. These will included various elements of my life's passions. Warriors arts will continue to be a central theme as well as internal and external travels.  

“Logic will get you from A to Z; imagination will get you everywhere.” Albert Einstein

Rand Law Books

Adapting to the Art

Friday Knight News

“If nothing within you stays rigid, outward things will disclose themselves.”  Bruce Lee 

Some styles seem to be geared toward adaptability for the individual. While other systems are not so inclined and they instead require for the student to adapt to the style. On the other hand that could be merely the ridged thinking of some instructors? Yet, there has always been a struggle in many systems with getting the student to adapt their body to the art. This happens no matter if the art is calling for harder conditioning or more flexible  conditioning, or combinations of the two. Still, it is hard to believe that someone could be a black belt in the Tenth Planet jujutsu system if they could not achieve the rubber-guard. Likewise it is hard to acknowledge someone from a head kicking art that isn't in splits, or are able to jump high enough to compensate for it. Also, it is difficult to accept that someone who is so out of shape that they cannot walk from the parking lot to the dojo without getting winded is an instructor of any martial art. I'm not talking about injury or illness but merely slothful lack of exercise and/or training.

Since I mentioned it earlier, there is also the injury factor to consider. I have had students and have trained with other students that were amputees, or had other injuries or difficulties to train around. It is hard to teach a kicking style to single amputees, it is impossible to teach to double amputees. This type of thing also stands to reason to be true for hand or arm injuries in punching styles. Also spinal injuries sideline many people from learning a martial art. So, if the style requires that you perform certain techniques to advance, then it is impossible to achieve ranking if your injuries prevent you from being able to participate.

The Dream Walker Series 

Then again, from time to time, we run across people that have the art adapt to them and their needs. This happens more often in styles that operate on principle as they tend to have more leeway. In my book principle based warrior arts I discuss the principles my instructor taught, which I organized after my he requested that I put together a syllabus. No matter what style you practice you should be able to adapt these following principles to your training.

Universal Tactics and Strategy

Sen no sen: (Defensively) attack first

Sen: Simultaneous attack

Go no sen: Counter attack

Preparation Lessons

Preparation First: Hands, Elbows, Knee and Feet in Safety Zone

Surprise

Position of Advantage

Closes the Gap

Focus on the Smallest Point

Hands Move/Feet Move

Avoid Direct Assaults

Lead the Mind

Rotational Movement Lessons

Extend your Circle

Tighten the Circle

Control the attacker central axis

Control Tactical Lessons

Take the Balance

Ground the Attacker

Limit Motion

Control with Sensitivity

Power Lead Foot (Right or Left)

Body Isolation / Kneel, Step Compression

Fulcrum, Lever, Base

Double Lock

“The primary thing when you take a sword in your hands is your intention to cut the enemy, whatever the means.”  Miyamoto Musashi


Rand Law Books




The above link will take you to my author's page. Let me know if you like it and feel free to drop me an email if you like or you can use the comment check boxes below. I try to incorporate as much of my experience and observations as I can into my sci fi adventures. I come from a background that taught that should only write about what you know. As I know nothing else other than my perspective, I was left with limited options. The Dream Walker book series are tales about martial arts adventurers with an essence of the para-normal from dream mediation. Each book in the series reveals their struggles as they work to make a life for themselves and elude those that seek to use and control them.

Simple Directness

Friday Knight News

"The height of cultivation always runs to simplicity." Bruce Lee

It isn't always easy being direct, but when it is needed simple directness in life, and the martial arts, cuts right to the heart of the problem. It is easy to see this when dealing with a weapon as it magnifies speed, power, and intent. Yet, unarmed training was my foundation in the arts even if my love was with the sword. So, as you might have guessed, striking training was always a big part of my grappling arts education. Just as grappling was a big part of my striking arts education. Hitting smarter works when you can time it right, hit accurately, and drop the opponent to their weak point.

Hitting harder also works, as it stops them in their tracks even if they don't feel the pain. In the end it will give you an extra second/moment to strike smarter. It's really simple to see that both are needed. The ability to transfer power is enhanced by hand-to-hand combat weapon study. Weapon study also helps develop subtlety and fluidity. In fact, all three areas interplay with each other. Hand-to-hand weapons skills enhance unarmed striking and grappling arts, and they all take repetition to assimilate. It is just that simple.

Knowing that the shortest distance between two points is a straight line also helps. In the martial arts we use this information to make direct attacks. There is no such thing as a straight line, as a straight line extended eventual will make a circle, loop, or other elliptical shape of some sort. This can be mentally observed by imagining a line extended through space across the universe, galaxy, solar system, or simply encompassing the globe. It can be more readily observed by drawing a line vertically or horizontally across a sheet of paper. Once across draw a line down the side of the page and continue to the opposite side. Then turn it over interconnecting it with the original line.

(Adam Chan on Hitting Harder)

In the martial arts we use this information to redirect forces off of straight line attacks. Circles, straight lines, and angles are almost interchangeable if there are enough examples and space between intervals. So, when it comes to power we generally look at distance and velocity to acquire this force. However, that is not needed if you can imagine the beginning and end of terminal velocity as the highest velocity of a big circle inside of the short straight line.

Terminal velocity is the highest velocity attainable by an object as it falls through space. The less resistance by outside forces it encounters the easier it is to reach its full potential. They say that space satellites can reach near light speed given time and distance that is even with only starting from a speed of 15,000 miles per hour. We, however; are burdened by the length of our reach, and overcoming outside forces of the drag of our atmosphere and gravity. Even more so as we have to contend with friction from both internal and external sources.

The two biggest factors here are first the opponent and this can be overcome by primarily timing. Which sounds simple because it is, but it isn't necessarily easy just because it's simple. The other and bigger of the two factors is internal. It can be overcome by relaxation mentally first and physically second, in fact they go hand in hand. Relaxed muscle make a relaxed mind and the other way around too. Most of the time in life our biggest problem is ourselves. It is just that simple being direct.

"In character, in manner, in style, in all things, the supreme excellence is simplicity." Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

Rand Law Books



The above link will take you to my authors page. Let me know if you like it and feel free to drop me an email if you like or you can use the comment check boxes below. I try to incorporate as much of my experience and observations as I can into my sci fi adventures. I come from a background that taught that should only write about what you know. As I know nothing else other than my perspective, I was left with limited options. The Dream Walker book series are tales about martial arts adventurers with an essence of the para-normal from dream mediation. Each book in the series reveals their struggles as they work to make a life for themselves and elude those that seek to use and control them.

How to Develop Real Ki

Friday Knight News

“We learn from failure, not from success!” Bram Stoker

Ki is often described as a universal energy that surrounds and penetrates everything, much like the force. Do you want to be able to shoot energy balls across the room? I'm not talking about some goofball crap where students fall over for you based on the psychological technique of autosuggestion. Are you willing to put in hours a day to achieve such abilities? If so, then this article is not for you! Although it seems most people think that is if they could only harness this unseen magical life force called ki, chi and/or prana all of these things would fall into place. In Japan this energy is referred to as ki. In China it is referred to as chi. If you know Sanskrit, it is called prana. In English meditation circles it is often called breath energy, internal energy, the life force, and geeks just call it the force. It is the manifestations of the universe on both the visible or invisible realms. However, if you are only looking at being centered, calm, and focused as the byproducts of ki then read on. After all, these things are still magical to me and deep breathing helps control and maintain this state of being.



So yes, in my point of view ki, chi, prana and even the force is real. It is developed and cultivated only by the most serious minds after all. The thing is, at least in my experience, ki, spirit, spunk, grit, sand, or mental endurance, is formed by hardship, overcoming failure, and by determination. Discipline and relaxation are only a portion of what is needed to develop this type of ki. To truly develop, test, and maintain the power of your will it must be carried out with hard work after long hours of effort. It is easy to be calm and mindful sitting on your butt, although it is quite another thing to be calm when someone is trying to pull a shotgun from under their trench-coat, or pull a hunting knife out of its sheath to stab you. If you can endure pain by breathing through it while someone takes a razor blade to you finger, or pulls re-bar that has been run through you out, then you are on your way. However, it is better to avoid these types of things if you can, everyday stress is a better starting point. Taking beatings that go on until the beater is exhausted, or enduring hours upon hours of indoctrination and browbeating is not necessary to achieve or develop ki in your normal day-to-day routine.

I have not yet seen the movie "Unbroken", but from what I have heard of it I would say it is geared to what I am talking about. It can feel surreal when someone is shooting at you, and you hear the bullets whiz past your head and you can stay calm in these conditions. Sometimes after long periods of harsh treatment you often develop a type of apathy to these things, but that isn't real ki; that is more a kin to exhaustion as everyone has their limits. Still, it takes ki to maintain calm during such events; that is if you survive these types of situations. Often times, it takes even more ki to cope with the aftermath of living through these traumas. So, as part of your everyday training, my best advice is to start off with laying and/or sitting while working on your breathing techniques and learning to stay calm and focused. Any time you lose your focus bring your mind back to the task at hand. Eventual try this while moving around walking, training in the martial arts, or while doing whatever it is that you do for a living.

Then as you progress, you should be able to remain centered even when things are not going well. To optimize your ki try to stay detached during adverse situations such as when people yell or scream at you. You will know that you are progressing when you are able to withstand this type of abuse without getting upset. Yet, do not become a door mat, this is not ki. Instead walk away from both mental and physical abuse and defend yourself from it when necessary; keep one point, stay in tune and relaxed while doing so. Breathing will help keep you calm and centered, in times when you can't breathe deeply then that is the time you need it the most. After you have done all of these things, give it time to take root and remember to keep focused, to me this state of mind is ki!

 "The successful warrior is the average man, with laser-like focus." Bruce Lee

Rand Law Books



This link will take you to my web page. Let me know if you like it, feel free to drop me an email if you like or you can use the comment check boxes below. I try to incorporate as much of my experience and observations as I can into my sci fi adventures. I come from a background that taught that should only write about what you know. As I know nothing else other than my perspective, I was left with limited options. The Dream Walker book series are tales about martial arts adventurers with an essence of the para-normal from dream mediation. Each book in the series reveals their struggles as they work to make a life for themselves and elude those that seek to use and control them.

Paintball Self-Defense

Friday Knight News

"There is a tremendous difference between shooting methods that work well when you're simply trying to put holes in the target and those that work well when the target is trying to put holes in you. Failing to understand this difference is a mistake that will get you killed if you ever have to use your handgun in a real armed confrontation." Col. Rex Applegate

The same is true if you are trying to defend against a gun. Unarmed self-defense disarms look like fun on YouTube. Yet, it is different with a real gun. It is even different using a real weapon that is only firing safety rounds. Mainly because even safety rounds hurt and burn and coming out of a real gun can be a bit scary. Not to mention the guns hitting you or you hitting them will give you cuts and bruises. The first thing we did was we frisked everyone coming into the training area, no live rounds were permitted. A live round on your person got you expelled. After that, we always checked the gun three times with three different sets of eyes to ensure no live rounds were used. This procedure was performed with each and every gun change or time we changed partners.



My instructor used state issued weapons firing little miniature rubber pom pom rounds propelled by a small amount of smokeless powder inside of the bullets for self-defense training. I have found this was more effective than using wooden and rubber simulated guns. It was easy to see that 80% of the time we needed to be within an arm’s reach of the weapon to have a chance at disarming the attacker. Likewise if the attacker had you pinned and had the weapon pressed against you, then almost every single time you needed to be rescued to have a chance of survival.

The whole point of this type of training is to learn to be calm and face your fears. You cannot be efficient if you freeze up under pressure. It is one thing to be able to face someone in class and quite another to face someone on the street. Now imagine if they had a gun, knife, club, or had a group with them. I guess you might be able to see how being prepared just might help you keep your cool. Later on we tested our ability to defend ourselves by utilizing paintball guns to simulate live fire conditions. This proved effective as it was established that gaining distance between you and the shooter (aka running away), increased the likelihood of survival. During all of the years of training, we had never had a successful attempt of disarming an armed opponent that was actively firing. That is not counting a few cases where a weapon broke down, the attacker ran out of ammo, or where someone was shot then disarmed and captured. But it never occurred when the shooter was actively determined and engaged.

Adam Chan Pragmatic Martial Arts

Placing rounds on the target (which was the active shooter), often pacified the subject. Or placing enough rounds on the subject to technically incapacitate (kill), them also worked. Working with practice blades, on the other hand, dramatically increased the effectiveness of the hand-to-hand combat against the firing weapon dramatically. This was even when I had to cover a distance of two dozen feet in many cases, to close the distance on the shooter. If I had three knives on me, I didn’t mind tossing one at the shooter to help close the gap, (we of course were using safety blades). Stay cool and remember running away is also a very good option for defense as each step lessens the chance of a hit. You just have to consider the odds; can you call for help and are you protecting someone else etc. The trick is to make you training progressively stressful as you learn how to deal with these situations.

On top of this, we always used safety equipment when we worked with paintball defense too. Still I wouldn’t recommend utilizing paintball guns at point-blank range due to the high impact of the guns. I have heard of people suffering hemorrhages from shots to the temple. I myself have had blood splatter from close distance paintball rounds hitting me. I found that if you want a touch of realism and greater safety you can get it by utilizing some of the air soft type of weapons. Even so, still follow their safety guidelines and use your safety equipment. Even with this type of gear there is always a risk while training. However, if your environment or your work subjects you to this type of situation it could prove to be a worthwhile consideration. Eventually you might beat the martial arts version of the kobayashi maru.

“You know how we tell the good guys from the bad guys? The bad guys shoot at us."  Rick Yancey

Dream Walker Books

This link will take you to my web page. Let me know if you like it, feel free to drop me an email if you like or you can use the comment check boxes below. I try to incorporate as much of my experience and observations as I can into my sci fi adventures. I come from a background that taught that should only write about what you know. As I know nothing else other than my perspective, I was left with limited options. The Dream Walker book series are tales about of martial arts adventures with an essence of the para-normal from dream mediation. Each book in the series reveals their struggles as they work to make a life for themselves and elude those that seek to use and control them.

Book 3: 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.


tPatreon 

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