our journey a little smoother.
Conflict
So, if we are looking for an avenue of self-improvement, why train in the martial arts? What does martial arts training give us that is difficult to find elsewhere? Martial arts training teaches us about conflict and how to find better ways to deal with it. In it’s most basic interpretation, training in the martial arts teaches an individual how to deal with the conflict of an aggressive, attacking individual. The goal is to first build physical skills and abilities to neutralize the threat of physical violence. Building the qualities of speed, power, balance and stability, along with eye training in the context of the art’s basic fundamentals is essential in this stage.
In the more advanced aspects of this stage, students learn how to be more subtle and refined with their techniques and strategies. They will learn how to properly use angles to evade their attacker, enabling them to use their techniques more efficiently, as well as taking advantage of using the attacker’s force against them. At this stage, students should also learn strategies to enable them to manipulate the structure and balance of an attacker. Someone who cannot find balance cannot follow through with a powerful, effective attack.
As students progress through this first stage and learn how to deal with the physical conflict of an attacker, they should start to see the connection between dealing with the physical attack of an opponent and the non-physical arena of conflict in everyday life. This realization seldom occurs without a teacher who can expose students to the proper philosophies of the martial arts, and can point out the similarities of these conflicts. It is said that a good teacher can take you places that you’ve never been, while a great teacher can dramatically change the place you’re in. So, it is extremely important to have a teacher who can point out the necessary keys to enlighten the student to the fact that these comparisons exist. However, a true student of the arts may turn to many different sources for instruction, including any resource of written or verbal information that enhances the student’s perspective of these comparisons.
When we talk about conflict in a nonphysical sense, we have to think about the conflict that exists in our personal relationships, business/professional relationships, financial situations, and any type of situation in our life where we feel a sense of conflict. Strategies of warfare directly relate to daily life conflict. In warfare it is extremely important to know or understand our enemy.
Is it any less important to understand our spouse, co-workers, or family? In order to avoid or overcome conflict with people with whom we have relationships or dealings, we must not only understand them but also what’s important to them. Seeing their perspective on things goes a long way when it comes to avoiding conflict or overcoming it. That is not to say what we must agree with it, but being able to acknowledge their point of view is critical in resolving conflict. Sometimes, we must agree to disagree on issues!
Ever wonder why groups of people cannot get along with one another, even when they share the same perspectives and beliefs? Why is there always some sort of conflict? A certain amount of conflict will always exist among groups of people simply because every individual has a certain amount of internal conflict. Budo and the martial arts teaches us to recognize these inner conflicts, and gives us the strength to work towards eliminating them.
This is NOT an easy task.
It may certainly take a lifetime! Not only is it beneficial to work at eliminating these conflicts for the purpose of leading a more balanced life, but also it is essential in helping us make good decisions in a world of many choices. Nowadays, life is extremely fast-paced, and we are constantly bombarded with choices. I believe that working towards eliminating or gaining control over these inner conflicts produces a clearer, more receptive mind, and hones our instincts—all of which helps us to make better decisions and choices.
It all comes down to balance —external and internal. Ever notice how internal conflicts come to the surface, when we are feeling pressured by environmental influences? These pressures can come from many different environmental influences, such as money or financial matters, personal relationships, professional pressures and deadlines, health issues or any number of things life may bring our way. Conflicts and insecurities, which exist inside us, will come to the surface when pressured by these influences, squeezed from us like squeezing a grape produces grape juice. What lies inside us, is what comes out under pressure. While writing this book, I had the pleasure of being in Japan with several of my teachers. During this time a terrible earthquake struck the countries of Pakistan and India. It was amazing to me, as I watched CNN, (one of only two channels in English), how two countries which disliked each other immensely, were working together for a common good.
Why must it sometimes take a catastrophe or some tragic event to bring out the good in human nature?
Why can we not have a compassionate and helpful attitude towards the people and situations we come in contact with everyday?
Is it because we are very often totally absorbed in our own selfish wants and needs?
Is it because we all have a certain amount of conflict inside ourselves?
Do we even recognize how this inner conflict affects our perspective of things and people around us?
The Progression of Training
Shugyo no Junyo is a concept used in the martial arts that pertains to the actual progression of training. The formula for this progression of training is very simple:
1) Make up your mind to learn the basic fundamentals of your chosen art. This means setting aside the time and energy required to practice and learn the fundamentals.
2) Repetition and constant practice of the techniques and lessons pertaining to your art.
3) Eventually, evolving into a person who has mastered the art and is confident and in control of his/her environment.
Pretty simple formula...though not necessarily easy to do! Now, if we look at this formula for training, should we not also see that this is also a formula for life?
We, as practitioners of the martial arts, must look towards the lessons contained in our studies. Look at the principle of avoidance, and how we use this on an attacker who is trying to harm us. First, we need to keep our vision peripheral so we may see all of what is going on around us. If we see the situation far in advance, it becomes very easy to avoid it. Secondly, we must move at the right time. Not necessarily fast, but on time. Timing is everything!
When dealing with a non-physical confrontation with a friend, acquaintance, or spouse, the same basic considerations must come into play. We must strive to see situations before they become confrontations. If the conflict is not something we desire or need to be involved in, why allow ourselves to be drawn into it? When someone wishes to engage in an argument or debate with you, and you can see that this particular person only sees things from their own perspective, refuse to allow yourself to be involved. One of my teacher’s favorite quotes is, “Never argue with a fool, for he may be doing the same.” It’s very difficult to argue or debate with someone who refuses to engage. This is a simple example of the principle of avoidance.
Redirection is also a concept to be used in a verbal conflict. If we are to redirect someone’s direction or force, we must strive to make them focus on something other than their primary objective. In a physical arena, this could be a painful strike used to put the opponent mentally and physically off-balance. In the verbal arena, this could be merely redirecting the conversation, maybe getting the person to talk about himself or something important to him. Who doesn’t want to talk about themselves or something of interest?
As martial artists, we need to pay attention to the principles of avoidance, redirection, and creating imbalance
