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Do All Martial Artists Love Violence?

July 24, 2009 | Author: Matthew | Filed under: Martial Arts,Opinion,Philisophical,ikigai,karate,mindset,self defense,sparring

A lot of people are surprised when I tell them that I don’t get off on hurting others.

They’re also skeptical when I say they don’t need to love violence to join a martial art.

In conversation I never debate if martial arts are violent (they are) or if there are violent martial artists (there are). Instead I suggest that you needn’t be driven by bloodlust to get extraordinary value out of training.

Unfortunately, in the world we live in, violence can be thrust on us at any given moment. Whether we like it or not, we can find ourselves in altercations, scrapes, and even life-threatening situations. The two options we have are to depend on the ability of others to help us (like police, security, etc) and to prepare ourselves as best as possible.

In feudal era Japan, a lot of martial art activity involved the desire to kill. A Samurai often increased his status and the prestige of his sword style by dispatching other worthy opponents. This became even more prevalent after the Warring States Period (when most soldiers and Samurai had constant conflict to worry about as opposed to focusing on duels).

Nowadays the closest thing we have (thankfully) is Ultimate Fighting. Martial arts are still a tool of war, just ask the marine corp, but they are also a method of civilian self defense. The shift has been made from glory-through-killing to life preservation.

I’m tempted to liken our situation as civilian martial artists to that of the old Okinawans. The Okinawans were simple farmers, fisherman, etc who developed karate and kobudo as a means to defend themselves with what they had: farming tools and their wits. If a ronin or pirate were to start trouble in their village, the Karateka did what he had to do to eliminate that threat.

I’m tempted to compare us to them – but it’s not the same. The Okinawan Karateka were civilians, policemen, judges, doctors, and spiritual guides all rolled up into one. We are civilians through-and-through and have a deluge of laws to live by. Although I feel as strongly as anyone that we must do all we can to protect ourselves and the ones we love, there are gradations to violence and repercussions that we have to face.

So What Are We?

We are law abiding individuals who realize that the severity of life and death still plays a roll in our lives. Guns make the line of survival only a hairsbreadth wide. That’s not a comforting thought, but what can we do? We can’t pack heat all the time – even gun enthusiasts with licenses to conceal can be caught unawares or unprepared. What we do have is martial arts and they are just as crucial for people who abhor violence as those that love it.

One thing that does concern me is the amount of individuals I hear talking about how much they love to fight/spar, and what a thrill it is to knock someone out. Of course I understand the feeling of empowerment a good technique or strike can give, but I don’t believe causing aggressive dysfunction in another person’s body should be thrilling, nor should it inspire unwarranted confidence in ability. The most effectively violent practitioners I have met are also the most reserved. Their abilities have to be used with care and control in a realistic environment. If that sounds like a tough mixture to obtain – care and control plus realistic aggression – it is. Damn tough, but worth it.

I think a lot of people (including myself) ask themselves from time to time – am I the right kind of person to be studying a combat art? Shouldn’t it be left to someone bigger, tougher, stronger, better?

The answer is no – you need to train and the rest of us need you to train. The people in command of any given situation need to be those that understand and respect violence; those that can use it, but don’t want to. In a world that can snatch everything away quicker than a heartbeat, it is up to each of us to do our best to persevere.

Train if the thought of violence unsettles you – train harder if it makes you shudder.

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This entry was posted on Friday, July 24th, 2009 and is filed under Martial Arts, Opinion, Philisophical, ikigai, karate, mindset, self defense, sparring. 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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  • robbydesigns
    I can't speak for the 'ultimate fighting' people because that's not my bag at all but personally I don't train for the excitement of violence or to be 'hard'.
    I started martial arts in 1987 after getting psychologically bullied at school for a couple years, so I began martial arts to not be a wimp, to stand up for myself. I was never attracted to violence then or now.

    I train traditional in martial arts which have a lot of 'head work' to teach us to be better people as well as better 'fighters'. If you look at your average martial arts instructor he doesn't walk around acting hard, he's not attracted to violence.
  • Martial Arts IS the best way to release some of our agression. I always feel so much better after class.
  • Still catching up on your blogs Matt - loved this one too! I'm actually a librarian by trade, so when people I work with find out I do martial arts, they're normally a bit weirded out and say they didn't think I was a violent person! You should have seen the look I got from the people at the sports store when I bought my last punching bag - we were chatting and I mentioned I do martial arts and eventually the person serving me asked what I did for a living, and they thought I was joking when I said I was a librarian! :)

    As a kid I was very angry and got into fights and arguments all the time... by the time I hit my teens, I mellowed out and have been comparatively relaxed since then. It's a relief to know that I'm not the only one out there with similar internal conflicts and questions, and I loved your final point "Train if the thought of violence unsettles you – train harder if it makes you shudder" -- very insightful, and something I'll keep in mind.
  • Great input by both Sean's here! Thanks for taking the time to write up your thoughts.
  • wimde
    Hey Sean,

    True, it doesn't have to take that much. But when you go really hard, it feels different than the lighter stuff to me. More fun, amongst other things. :-)

    I'm 37 and so far so good. I plan to spar as hard as I can for as long as I can. Just to show those teenagers in my class the old guy isn't beaten yet. ;-)

    Wim
  • wimde
    Great post, Matt. I like your view on the issue.

    The only thing I'd offer is that the enthusiasm people can get for sparring isn't always malicious. If you spar regularly and at a high intensity (the harder the contact, the more it happens) you can get "addicted" to the feel-good hormones your body releases then. On top of the emotional/psychological buzz you get from skirting the danger zone, it can be quite an experience.

    Just my 2 cents,

    Wim
  • Hey Wim,

    I don't even think you need hard sparring to get that rush. A few rounds on the bags, or some good chi sao or push hands can do it for me.

    Of course, at 44, I'm not about to throw down as hard as I did when I was a teenager.
  • Thank you for writing about this. It's something I've thought a lot about myself.

    We actually did sparring for the first time in my Baguazhang class last week (well, simulated sparring). I actually thought it was fun but I was also taken aback when I realized how powerful the moves we're learning really are. It's a bit scary to realize that and humbling too.

    I used to have the misconception that learning the harder martial arts would only bring out more anger and violence in myself. I got in a lot of fights when I was younger. This kind of freaked me out as I got older and so I went the complete opposite direction and sought only peaceful, non-confrontational ways to resolve conflict. But both extremes are unbalanced. I've discovered that the martial arts - both hard and soft, if you want to call them that - have given me the confidence to face conflict head on, without anger or violence. Does that make sense?

    Anyway, great post and thanks for bringing up such an interesting topic! Cheers.
  • garyhopkins
    In my mind, violence translates as 'uncontrolled attack' , where Martial arts teaches control and measured response. I train in Goju, and at my Dojo we are taught that restraint is fundamental to overcoming your emotions and focusing the mind so as to overcome your opponent. Violence is an uncontrolled and unfocused, frenzied response. These are just my personal thoughts.
  • I don't believe in seeking out trouble. I avoid situations where it's likely to happen. For example, the reason I don't drink anymore is that heavy drinking often leads to violent situations.

    That said, I don't back down, either. When someone pulls that "what would you do if I did this" stuff, I give him the honest answer.

    "Why don't you try it and we'll both find out."

    In more than 20 years, no one has ever tried anything after that remark. They usually smile and say "Hey, I was just kidding."

    Note: I don't bluff. I have great moral, ethical and religious reasons for not being the first to raise his fist. That way, once the fists start flying or the weapons are drawn, I can do whatever I have to do with a clear conscience.

    Here's a humorous and true story about how my taiji sifu handled that type of situation. My sifu works as an art teacher at a local university. One semester, he had a smart-ass student with a black belt in tae kwon do who was always trying to draw him into debates at TKD vs. taiji.

    One day, this student asked my sifu, "Could you stop me from hitting you with a side kick?"

    My sifu said "sure."

    The student took his fighting stance, faced my sifu and got ready to do his sidekick.

    My sifu just stood there, picked his nose and ate the booger.

    The student was so puzzled that he stopped what he was doing. Then he realized, my sifu stopped his sidekick.

    Everyday for the rest of that semester, he bowed to my sifu whenever he saw him.
  • that's an awesome story sean, thanks for sharing! A great example of wisdom out of training from someone who'd rather not hurt another person if avoidable.
  • Hi Matt,

    Good introspective. I'd get different answers to the love of violence if you asked the younger me compared to the older me. Both me's would feel the need to be in the right before taking action. The difference would be that the younger me would only need to be in the right to feel ok with unleashing whatever happened.

    The old me might have to do the same thing in self-defense but I'd feel bad about its affect on the antagonist’s friends and family.

    I have respect for any martial artist that struggles with this question because I think it shows a respect for all individuals, even those that are acting poorly (and instigating the assault).

    Great post!
  • I don't necessarily agree entirely with keeping your training on the down low... there is a difference between being cocky and boastful about being a martial artist and being humble and excited about it.

    And, while I do enjoy the mechanics of UFC and hard-core sparring, the idea of inflicting lasting pain on someone else DOES make me shudder. I don't like to watch when the fight becomes so over the top that someone gets their face rearranged.

    But when someone says the line "I'm not going to piss you off!" because they see me going all Funakoshi in my back yard, I use that time to point out that, even if I COULD kick someone's ass, a large part of the martial arts is learning how to control yourself.
  • It's quite possible you haven't had the same experience, but I think a lot of times when people find out someone studies martial arts it rankles their ego. They feel a need to poke and prod you about it, to ask if you could beat up such-and-such, and if you could block *this*.

    In general keeping it on the down low works to avoid confrontation, which is ultimately the goal. Funakoshi was a big proponent of this and in his book 'my way of life' he tells stories of himself and others who go to extremes to achieve this. I wrote about one here - http://www.ikigaiway.com/2008/sueyoshi-cart-rid...
  • very true steph. I must agree on some level - why else would I write this blog!? haha. I think a lot of times its waiting for the correct opportunity and not being the person to force martial arts into a conversation.
  • I'm not saying that I've not gotten that before. I have. :-) But that also might be a guy vs. girl thing, too. Is kind of like your post about wearing martial arts on your sleeves. I get that. But if we don't tell people about the martial arts, they will also be left with the notion that it's all about kicking ass and won't know the myriad of other benefits.
  • bloodisredsweat
    sadly there are alot of people who view martial artists as blood thirsty wolfs looking to kill anything that comes near them. another reason its important to keep people unaware of your training i might note
  • agreed red - this is definitely another reason to keep training on the down low if at all possible.
  • Great post! It's so true what you say about the most reserved people being the ones capable of inflicting the most pain. Kyoshi Hayes comes to mind. While I certainly enjoy learning a new "nasty" technique (last night for example), watching ultimate fighting is not my thing. I hate seeing someone else bloodied beyond all recognition. I think a lot of this has to do with the fact that I've seen it for real (not in a ring) and it wasn't pretty.

    Did I mention I despise sparring? Oh yeah, you already know that. ;-)
  • haha - yea I know. You have a better than average reason for hating it too.
  • bobpatteson
    Interesting post...

    "Shouldn’t it be left to someone bigger, tougher, stronger, better?"

    I just finished reading Pearlman's "The Book of Martial Power". He has the reader evaluate his or her particular martial art. One thing he believes we should all ask is "can my martial art help me to defeat someone who is bigger, tougher, or stronger?" (we'll bracket out "better" for now)

    If your answer is no then he suggests you look for a martial art that can. Factoring in your own physical limitations, most martial arts can theoretically help you to defeat an un-trained person who is bigger, tougher, or stronger. If yours cannot then you probably need to find one that compliments your physical limitations.

    "Better" poses an interesting question: What if you train in your art and become an "average" black belt. True you may be better than some but also true that there are many people who are much better than you. So why train? You will never be Bill Wallace and certainly will never beat all those above you on the black belt ladder.

    Maybe, just maybe, if you are training only to win you shouldn't be training at all?

    Most traditional schools (karate, kung fu, tae kwon do) will preach violence as the last option. Before that option is used these schools stress using all the other non-violent options first. I think a lot of the confusion comes from what TV and Hollywood portrays.

    So for most non-violent persons, certain karate or taekwondo schools that preach "don't attack unless attacked", might be a good fit. Said person might also get some stress relief and physical exercise, too.

    :-)
  • nice assessment bob. that kind of personal introspection is critical to pursuing a long-term martial arts career.
  • Bob
    Great topic. I told someone at work (almost 20 years ago) that I got my black belt and they said, "But, you are a nice guy." I told them they watch to many movies. :)

    I think it goes in waves; but, in general more people understand the benefits of martial arts training. It has become pervasive now.

    How does MMA effect the public's view of martial arts? I would guess it would be split between pure violence or just another sport like boxing.
  • I'll see if I can find the link on Google books, but there was an interesting editorial in BLACK BELT in the early 1990's called "Confessions of a Violent Man." This post reminds me of that.

    The writer spoke about how a woman said she did not believe he was a violent man even though he was a black belt in karate.

    He said that he was a violent man. Even though he didn't seek out trouble, as a martial artist he studied violence from every possible angle. He acted out his violence in the dojo and when he practiced at home.
  • Personally I do not enjoy violence and in no way do I enjoy dishing out violence. But I do enjoy hard physical sparring, which can become bloody and aggresive. I think this teaches one to face problems which are facing you and to develop a "fighting spirit" of basically not to give up and keep trying to overcome obstacles, weather it be a hard opponant in sparring or getting through university or doing well in a job etc.
  • I agree with what Mark said. I enjoy hard sparring and training because it does go some way to toughing you up and developing in you a fighting spirit.

    I wouldn't condone violence unless it was called for in a self defense situation. Like most martial artists though, I freely admit to having a twisted fascination of it. Violence has it's own attraction, which is why it is still so prevalent in today's apparently civilized society. People have an ingrained blood-lust and always will. That's why cage fighting is so popular. People love to see other people get hurt, just as long as it isn't them.

    I also being involved in martial arts forces one to engage with violence on different levels. Martial arts are obviously controlled forms of violence themselves. In self defense terms, because so many of us concentrate on being ready for a street confrontation we end up becoming slightly obsessed by it, sometimes unhealthy so. This is partly because if you want to get good at defending yourself you have to practice doing so for real in some way and sometimes people get a taste for this sort of confrontation. I recommend people read Geoff Thompson's books, especially "Watch My Back", his story of confronting his fear of violence by becoming a bouncer. Geoff got good at self defense (indeed he is a recognized authority around the world) but he also feel into the abyss and got obsessed by it, to the point were he thought of nothing else, had weapons in every room of his house and fought all the time. In the end he got passed this obsession, but his story illustrates how caught up in violence some people can become. It provides a rush that some people get addicted to.

    In the end I think it comes down to balance. How important is it to you to be able to defend yourself? It shouldn't be that important that it takes over your whole life. How many scrapes are you going to get into anyway? Not that many, I'm sure.

    Violence will always hold an attraction for us but we can't let it influence us too much, otherwise we all just end up becoming thugs who love to fight.
  • I would have to say that I do enjoy violence, in a controlled environment, because it can be a cathartic experience. The real thing, however, is (in my experience) distressing, and over before you know it. I would have to say that there are people who shouldn't be taught Martial Arts (people with violent tendencies) but definitely agree with the way you ended your post. Train if it unsettles you, train hard if it makes you shudder.

    That being said, even people with violent tendencies have something positive to gain from training in a martial art, hopefully focus and self control.
  • agreed jack - everyone has a little bit of aggression in them and training is the perfect way to get that out.
  • Karen M.
    I recently rendered a co-worker (she is an expert on everything!) speechless after she loudly stated that her only "problem" with martial arts is that it teaches kids to be violent. I quietly explained that what we gain is respect for ourselves and others, confidence, discipline, patience, etiquette, focus, knowledge of history, culture and language, and yes, the ability to try to defend ourselves and others. The only reply was from another co-worker who wanted to know more about my involvement in martial arts..,
  • thats awesome karen - I completely agree with your response. And you even managed to help another person potentially get involved.

    also I know what you mean about the "omni-expert" - that can be very frustrating.
  • Karen M.
    Thanks Matt. I work in a field where the potential for violence is always present and I have been involved in a few situations that have turned dangerous. What better way to be prepared to block a fist or get out of a choke than to have practiced (and practiced, and practiced ..,) in a safe setting? On a lighter note, it's usually myself and 2 to 5 other female co-workers and the joke is "we'll just hide behind Karen".
  • How would you know whether or not challenge matches still occur today? It is not necessarily in anyone's best interest to publicize the outcome--not the winner, not the observers, and definitely not the loser.
  • Challenge matches do still exist today. The Dog Brothers ring is basically a load of guys challenging each other all the time, as my recent article stated. They just go up to one another and state their challenge. Not exactly like a sword duel, but pretty close.
  • I once read a great column by Charley Reese in the Orlando Sentinel. It was slightly tongue-in-cheek in the style of Jonathan Swift's "Modest Proposal," but it did make some sense.

    He proposed legalized dueling, suggesting that it would unclog the courts, reduce frivolous lawsuits and eliminate a lot of the loose talk, gossip and trash talk that permeates our society.

    I know I would love to get Sean Hannity in a steel cage match.
  • Man that really misses the point. As I noted - there are definitely people who enjoy violence be it in the ufc...or some bloodsport challenge match. But what i'm saying is that there is room for people in the martial arts that find violence offputting or scary, and in fact those people can benefit greatly.
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