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The Little Bad Guy In Your Brain

November 18, 2008 | Author: Matthew | Filed under: Martial Arts,Opinion,Philisophical,karate,mindset

We all have a small piece of real estate in our minds reserved for bad guys, and we drop by for a visit every time we think about carjackings, rough neighborhoods, or the safety of our loved ones. It’s here we imagine all the unpleasant outcomes and dangers the world has to offer us.

This seemingly masochistic piece of human nature is one of the reasons why martial arts are so important in modern society; but I think true martial value might come more in overcoming the little bad guy inside, rather than a big one outside.

Self Defense…Value and Limitations

The more things change, the more they stay the same. As far back as human history goes, there has been a need for one individual to protect him/herself against another. That’s why when discussing martial arts, one of the first topics always brought up is self defense.

Karate…BJJ…Kung Fu…they’re all methods of combat, and unless you’re a soldier, you’ll be fighting as an ordinary citizen. Thus, learning a combat art is an extraordinary way to increase your physical capability of defending yourself.

Furthermore, we live in a society that does not permit the casual carrying of firearms. These laws have pulled us out of ‘old west’ mentality, but have also delivered the bad guys a distinct advantage against the good guys (us). One recourse left to the modern citizen is combat training.

Yet, when you boil it down, the greatest fighter in the world can still get shot from ten feet away or stabbed in the back. So…why even bother with martial arts if their primary purpose is so compromised?

Sure, Kick and Punch (But Also Think)

As you’ve probably heard me harp about before, the benefits of mind and spirit are just as critical in training as body. For example, a skilled instructor can not only teach a student how to fight, but also how to detect and avoid bad situations. An experienced martial artist is just as adept at conflict resolution as he is at conflict “resolution” (Seagal style).

Furthermore, a martial artist will analyze his surroundings at all times and realize ways to avoid potentially risky environments. In doing so, the probability of getting into a brawl or encountering a desperate gunman are drastically reduced.

But…be that as it may…no one can completely control the world around them. Bad things will still happen no matter the effort and attention payed. Once again, why bother with training?

Reality Landing

So bad things are going to happen and we can’t stop them. What an uplifting post. But don’t worry, there is a little light at the end of the tunnel.

Let’s think statistically – how often do people get robbed or assaulted in their life? Once or twice? Some unlucky few experience it more often, but many experience it less. On average, we are all likely to face scant few situations where fighting is called for. Now how often do we think about getting robbed or assaulted? bullied? accosted? raped?

It’s much more often. This is true for everyone.

What martial arts really gives us is the strength to face these fears with courage. Rather than shiver at the thought of walking to our cars alone, we can command a straight posture and say to ourselves “sure you might attack me, but it won’t be as easy as you think.”

We can use our training to solidify our spirit and determination, which will exude from us in a way that deters would-be aggressors, prompting them to try an easier target.

Ultimately, we transform our internal bad guy into a constant reminder of our martial calling, using him to spur us forward and remind us that we aren’t so easily drawn down into dread and fear.

Sure, any of us could be shot. Any one of us could be gone tomorrow. But I’d rather go knowing that I didn’t live in helplessness.

Martial arts…Budo…is what we can thank for that.

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This entry was posted on Tuesday, November 18th, 2008 and is filed under Martial Arts, Opinion, Philisophical, karate, mindset. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.

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Great post, as always. I agree with using the inner characteristics (confidence, awareness, toughness if you will)of martial arts to convey to the predator that you are not the target they want to pursue. If they see me walking with purpose, upright, keys between knuckles, looking all around me and then a few rows over in the parking lot see some girl giggling on her cell phone, digging in her purse for her keys and not paying attention at all, who do you think he (or she!) is going to choose as their victim?

Martial Arts Mom wrote on November 18, 2008 - 9:08 am | Visit Link

MAM: Agreed, I think that’s a very good example.

Matthew wrote on November 18, 2008 - 11:55 am | Visit Link

My sensei have all gone over these very things–confidence, posture, awareness and mental toughness–with me several times, and I have, in turn, gone over them with the students that I have taught. Many people consider the martial arts to simply be a method of striking or grappling, and what those people miss is the internal applications of what you learn. I have seen many students start practicing karate and then stop because it isn’t simply punching and kicking, and I have seen just as many become more involved for the very same reason. I suppose it comes down to what you want in life, but I like to know how to defeat the bad guy in my brain as well as the bad guy on the street. Nice post!

Noah L wrote on November 18, 2008 - 2:16 pm | Visit Link

Excellent post Matt san!

I’m reminded of a passage in “Living The Martial Way” when it is discussed about martial arts being displayed in the way we walk, the way we talk, and even (this is argued sometimes) displaying that “natural” confidence (which could be thought as sanshin) when in an alien surrounding, or sticky situation.

I find it odd and somewhat (just somewhat) humorous that when walking or lounging in certain places that people will tend to turn and ignore, or act like they don’t see certain individuals that seem intimidating or odd (tattoos, long hair, Hell’s Angel’s patches) but with the confidence (hopefully not over confidence) that is ordained though living the martial way, you simply don’t see the same scary figure, smile and nod in a non-dominance assertive way, and more often than not, you get a smile and nod back (as well as weird looks from everyone else).

I think there is ALOT to be said for the non-arogant confidence you get through training (and osmosis of being around other excellent martial artists).

I can only hope to morph and evolve that “aura” though training with you and other excellent sensei.

Branden wrote on November 18, 2008 - 3:32 pm | Visit Link

Original Sabum often said: “Sometimes you have to accept that you are going to be hit.”

Once you can square that circle you CAN walk into the dark alley with less fear.

However, there are still those (some instructors!) who have no fear!

There is a difference between uncontrollable fear, measured fear, and foolhardiness. Generally the martial arts help to develop the latter two and with luck, the middle one!

Bob Patterson wrote on November 18, 2008 - 9:01 pm | Visit Link

That little bad guy in my brain is the one that made me ask you all kinds of “what if” scenarios when I was pregnant with Lil C. Remember the psycho pregnant karate-ka that came to class each week with a new list of scenarios I needed moves for?

Black Belt Mama wrote on November 19, 2008 - 10:17 am | Visit Link

noah: agreed, for some people the traditional method just isn’t something they want to dig into, and that’s fine. But I think it’s good for people to know that there is more out there than just punching and kicking drills if they are willing to find it.

branden: I remember that passage, I think it definitely expresses something similar (also its zanshin – the z makes it sound cooler).

bob: totally agree with OS (original sabum. it’s like the martial arts version of OG). Nice addition with your example of the levels of fear.

BBM: Yea you had an active little bad guy, but that’s not a bad thing. It’s how you learned and got to where you are today, knocking on the doorstep of black belt.

Matthew wrote on November 19, 2008 - 3:53 pm | Visit Link

Do I have a good guy voice?

Foxy Citrus wrote on November 20, 2008 - 8:49 pm | Visit Link

I hope so Foxy! haha. I guess your good guy voice could be considered confidence and determination (ways in which GOOD things can happen).

Matthew wrote on November 20, 2008 - 10:41 pm | Visit Link

Good Post, A think that as long as our training is realistic enough, it should prepare us to face our fears if caught in an unfortunate situation where we have to fight

markstraining.com wrote on November 24, 2008 - 9:49 am | Visit Link

Once again…do I have a good guy voice? haha

Foxy Citrus wrote on November 24, 2008 - 7:15 pm | Visit Link

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