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We could all learn a little more about ourselves and others by simply taking the time to be more observant to those around us. It is amazing how a simple smile or common courtesy can change a persons day. Too often we forget the good times and focus on the bad, some become consumed by the bad moments, a moment of kindness could break that cycle for them. As we train we need to consider the perspective of our fellow students, people we meet and even our enemies. The more we master (equals defeat) our egos the more second nature this state of being becomes.

But the guy with the cookie, him I’d give a quick hit to the kidney, collapse his knee and then say excuse me…but that’s just me! I say that because, sometimes even people down and out need to be reminded to offer common courtesy and use decent manners.

There isn’t much that I can add to this so I will not.

In any hostile situation it is important to maintain control.  Often people think of control as a well thought out process where you act like a Chess Master to subdue your opponent into submission.  In reality thought has little to do with it.  I continually drill my students to stop thinking, breath and just be.  But what does this mean in a real life situation? In a hostile situation you need to be in command of the three Rs, Response, Reaction and Reflex.

Response: Our immediate Response to any situation can determine the outcome by maintaining advantage over your opponent(s).  Responding weakly may give us the advantage by drawing in our opponent(s) with a false sense of security.  Responding aggressively may discourage our opponent(s) from picking you as a target.  This first R, response, requires us to quickly assess the situation and determine our course of action, weak, strong, strong then weak, weak then strong, or some other response will drive our next move.

Reaction: The word reaction is often taken to be an emotional response to a situation, that is NOT what we are talking about here.  To react indicates an immediate action that occurs without thought.  Without training our reaction typically reverts to the flight or fight model though I add a third reaction to the standard two, freeze.  Freezing typically occurs during a moment of indecision or just before flight.  We train to avoid the Freeze or Flight reaction, we train so we can Fight if necessary but mostly to maintain control of our reactions.  Our training removes the emotion and limits fear from the reaction to a situation.  The more we train the more we react with muscle memory to a threat increasing our reaction time.  Muscle memory is devoid of emotions like fear.

Reflex:  Even with muscle memory coming to our aid in reducing fear and increasing reaction time there is still one R remaining.  We may have the correct response and we may even give the correct reaction, but without the proper training our defense will fall apart quickly.  Why?  Muscle memory is only good for the initial few seconds in a situation.  After that you will have to rely on your knowledge and skills to protect and sustain you.  Soldiers are forced to do repetitive training for a reason, it builds a long term procedure for a given situation.  Perhaps we should name the third R repetition however that is only the tool to attain the skill we want.  Given proper training when hit your body will respond to soften the effects of the blow similar to the way your leg jerks out when the doctor hits your knee!  The key component is repetitive training, a common theme.

It is true that a little philosophy inclineth Man’s mind to atheism; but depth in philosophy bringeth men’s minds about to religion. For while the mind of Man looketh upon second causes scattered, it may sometimes rest in them, and go no farther; but when it beholdeth the chain of them confederate and linked together, it must needs fly to Providence and Deity. …

The fool hath thought in his heart; so as he rather saith it by rote to himself, as that he would have, than that he can thoroughly believe it, or be persuaded of it; for none deny there is a God, but those whom interest it serve that there were no God. It appeareth in nothing more, that atheism is rather in the lip than in the heart of man, than by this, that atheists will ever be talking of that their opinion, as if fainted in themselves, and would be glad to be strengthened by the consent of others. Nay, more you shall have atheists strive to get disciples, as it fareth with other sects. And, which is most of all, you shall have of them that will suffer for atheism, and not recant; whereas, if they did truly think that there were no such thing as God, why would they trouble themselves? …

The causes of atheism are, divisions in religion, if there be many; another is, scandal of priests, …; a third is, a custom of profane scoffing in holy matters, which doth by little and little deface the reverence of religion; and lastly, learned times, especially with peace and prosperity; for troubles and adversity do more bow men’s minds to religion.

They that deny a God destroy Man’s nobility, for certainly Man is of kin to the beasts by his body; and if he be not of kin to God by his spirit, he is a base and ignoble creature. It destroys likewise magnanimity, and the raising of human nature. For take an example of a dog, and mark what a generosity and courage he will put on when he finds himself maintained by a man, who to him is instead of a God, or melior natura; which courage is manifestly such as that creature, without confidence of a better nature than his own, could never attain. So Man, when he resteth and assureth himself upon divine protection and favour, garthereth a force and faith which human nature itself could not obtain; therefore as atheism is in all respects hateful, so in this, that it depriveth human nature of the means to exalt itself above human frailty.

- - “The Essays of Lord Bacon” published 1888

I collect old and antique books, it is a passion. Recently I decided I had to many books (hard to believe) and started to thin the collection a little. Some are beyond repair, some I will never read, but a few I have decided to read to help me decide the fate. The above passage is from such a book. Written in Olde English it can take a moment longer to read but to me it provides significant insight.

What surprises me as I read through many of these books that were written 100-200 years ago is how in touch the authors were of our current social and political struggles. This perspective helps me to see that we are unique but timeless in our struggles, we are egotistical enough to think that only our generation has dealt with such things. We view the past through filters that lead us to believe that problems were different and certain issues didn’t exist. While extreme topics may have been tempered throughout time they seem to rise and fall like the tides of the sea from my readings. What is interesting is the presentation of their thoughts.

In the above passage I find the example of the dog in the last paragraph the most poignant. Whether you believe in God or not this example should give pause to deeper thought. It is a calling to a higher order, an illustration of the limitless bounds of the human spirit given aspirations of heavenly targets. Perhaps that is to flowery for most, I tend to talk in extremes to make my points. I do not say these things or ponder these topics here to convert, that isn’t my concern. I ponder them because it helps me to better understand those whom I run into daily. The vast majority of people I meet do not know what they believe. If they profess to know what they believe often they do not understand what or why they believe it. God, no God, darkness and dirt, or heavenly fields, these are after all the reasons we pursue knowledge and enlightenment, we wish to know the unknown, we wish to feel some ounce of control over our path. Not all of us ponder these thoughts but for those us that do, what do you know? To know is indicative of knowledge but how can we profess knowledge of things near impossible to prove? There is the gem, there is no need to prove anything! Oh we want to convince others that we have the secret, many out of compassion for others, more out of a need for validation, very few because they have clarity of truth.

Clarity of truth is a funny thing, when you have it (and I’m not saying I do) you are unaffected by the scorn of others, because you know. This is that state of calm where you know in your gut what is and isn’t. There is peace there, yet it can make others very uncomfortable even in their calm silence. To many people are evangelical about their causes. In my opinion evangelical people are simply looking for others to validate them, they are like the 3 monkeys who hear no “opposing views”, speak no “opposing views” and see no “opposing views”! Perhaps that is the only way they can support the reality they have built. This applies to every topic from religion to relationships and politics to pollution! They over simplify the world to make it easy to explain away anything that is uncomfortable. Yes these words are a double edge sword, it cuts both ways, but that isn’t my concern because I am not worried about you.

We need to spend more time looking inwards and less time getting upset with others. Whoever said, “Know thyself and to thy own self be true” was on target. This was somewhat of a free form, stream of consciousness post but hopefully you found something useful in the reading.

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Before you bring it up let me close by saying this passage is not meant to bash anyones beliefs or lack there of, but to provoke thought and introspection. Some of my previous posts on similar topics have been the subject of positive and negative discussions on other blogs. These posts are what they are presented for, meditation points, points of reflection, to stimulate thought and interospection. If you are adverse to critically examining your own beliefs and thoughts on any topic, then you have little hope for growth.

Often those that disagree with us (the global us encompassing all views) seem to feel we are simply misguided or at a lower stage of enlightenment. From where I stand my perspective on most controversial issues is clear, but to many I may seem delusional! That is their right and I respectfully support that right. Of course attacking my point of view irrationally would point to your stage… Perhaps some of the words I have used are to strong, misguided, dillusional, etc, for not everyone feels that strongly, regardless I intend no offense but do not apologize for any made.

Green is the color of life and growth. The green belt indicates the beginning of your life as a Martial Artist and growth as a person. We live in the present but for the future, and growth is necessary and essential to that journey. Growth stimulates change, which we must accept even though change often causes feelings of insecurity. Growth does not always come easily and is rarely without some discomfort or pain, but the achievements of our previous growth and the memory of those pains should motivate us to work harder. You begin with the Green belt so that you will always be reminded of the importance of this growth that will lead to the perfection of your Self.

Train Hard, Train Often!