Capturing a Moment of Simplicity
Monday was suspiciously nice outside. For those of us in the Northeastern U.S., warm weather has only visited once or twice in the last five months. Therefore, it was with great trepidation that I took a step outside in order to get the mail a block away.
Imagine my surprise when it turned out to be t-shirt weather, with a slight breeze and hint of Spring in the air. I started off for the mailbox using my "winter speed walk", but before long slowed down to a leisurely pace. It was midday so there were no cars buzzing through the lot nor children ambling about. All I could hear was the faint clacking of my shoes against the pavement.
After arriving at the mailbox I decided it might be appropriate to take the long route back to my apartment; a winding stretch of macadam that traces the treeline and wraps around a few extra buildings.
While traveling the path I fell into a comfortable rhythm, not mindfully set...just natural. I observed which trees had decided to push toward blooming, and which were still suspicious of impending frost (not unlike myself a few minutes earlier). I also passed my gaze over nearby apartments, decorations, birdhouses....anything that came into view. Not analyzing anything, just recognizing them as they slipped in and away.
I was enjoying this soft no-mind when suddenly I was invaded by an uncomfortable feeling. Guilt. Back at the apartment I had bills waiting, a lunch to make, and dishes to do. Before my walk I had heard about more struggles in Japan and Syria, not to mention a nearby house that had burnt down (as reported by the local news).
All of those misfortunes...and I was out strolling about.
For a moment it seemed unfathomable that I would be so negligent of the world and my responsibilities.
*********************************
My loss of focus, or perhaps loss of conscientious non-focus, is not surprising. Indeed, the mind is a complex network that can sometimes work against it's own benefit. We, as modern humans, seem to yearn for simplicity and quiet; yet when those rare moments arrive our minds fight back and remind us of our duties and concerns.
As a society we've adapted a few methods to combat this issue, the most prominent being 'vacation'. A lot of people can temporarily suspend their guilt and give themselves permission to relax. Even so, usually after a few days the 'real world' creeps back in steadily. Most parents I know don't experience much vacation even when on vacation.
On a day to day, week to week basis it can be extremely difficult to find ways to push out the world at large and find time to reset the mind and spirit.
That being said, let me ask: how often do you worry about bills during kata training? What about the kid's soccer practice while sparring?
My guess is that those external matters rarely creep in on you. In fact, those few training moments are probably your most focused throughout the entire day, or even week.
To perform a kata even remotely well, you need to pay exacting attention to what you're doing. Eventually you can even experience mushin. But the benefit of kata is that it maintains your focus and consistently draws you back into the moment. If you drift into other emotions (like I allowed myself to do during my walk) your kata will crumble. Naturally you don't want that to happen so your odds of course correction are much higher.
Good martial arts training can suspend time for you. It's often said that your training shouldn't stop at the dojo door, which is true. But it's certainly permissible to leave your troubles at the door when entering.
A Note About Kama Wrapping
As I mentioned in the previous video, kama come in many shapes and forms. One thing I didn't mention though is the matter of kama wrapping.
Take a look at these traditional kama:
You'll notice that all of these kama feature wrapping up around the top of the handle. This style is pervasive in classical kobudo but has fallen out of fashion for many modern adaptations of the weapon.
Unfortunately, a misunderstanding of this component has led to some bad practice. You see, the wrapping makes for a very comfortable handle. At a glance, one might even assume that it's primary function is to provide a handhold at the top of the weapon. In fact, that's not it's purpose at all.
These days we are rather spoiled with construction methods like pop rivets. They make attaching the blade to the handle a rather simple and inexpensive affair. But back in "the day", a little more ingenuity was needed. The old time weapons needed to function over long periods of time both as tools for everyday use and as units of conflict resolution. The wrapping therefore helped keep old style kama construction solid and reliable. Shifting, cracking, and weather damage were all minimized thanks to tightly wound cordage.
When it comes to holding the kama, your grip belongs at the bottom of the handle. This optimizes the efficiency of the weapon and allows you to gain maximum distance, momentum, and hooking ability. Holding the weapon up top by the wrapping would be exceptionally dangerous when the weapon is sharpened, not to mention weak and ineffective.
A Subtle Technique to Maintain Readiness
I recently moved into a new apartment, and with that has come a host of new sights, sounds, and experiences.
If you live in one house long enough, you become accustomed to that place's personality. Creeks, cracks, and groans become almost imperceptible parts of your daily life. However, when you move somewhere new, each sound is noteworthy to your consciousness. In a familiar home noises that are commonplace are easily distinguished from those that are abnormal. At a new place the differentiation is less defined.
Almost every individual has, at one time or another, heard an unusual noise that has set them on edge. Something sudden and concerning. During those stressful times there is initial surprise or dismay as the noise develops, followed by stillness, quiet, and listening, ultimately concluded by a decision (investigate/escape/act) or lack of decision (freeze/ignore).
I'd like to explore one method you can use to optimize your readiness to make a decision and perform to the best of your ability when that moment arrives.
* * *
In my new laundry room there is a large access panel into the ceiling. When we first arrived the hatch was open so we knew it led up to the "attic" of the building. We also noticed that in order to maintain heat and security the hatch was quite thick (about 2-3 inches of hollow metal) and heavy.
Why it was open we didn't know nor did we think much of it. We simply raised it back up until it latched shut. A few days later I was working alone in my office when I heard a deep thud from the laundry room and the rattling of springs. I felt the vibration of the action through the walls and knew immediately that something unusual had happened.
I thought about the hatch. I was worried about it's connection to the rest of the building, it's comfortable human size, and the fact that it had been opened before. I grabbed the nearest implement handy that I was proficient with (a metal pen) and peaked outside the office. Unfortunately, the laundry room door was shut.
I waited, completely quiet, to detect any follow-up rustling (continued activity would be a strong indication of something alive in the room).
* * *
It was at this pivotal time that I used a technique that you can use as well in tense moments.
When suddenly stressed the body's Amygdala begins to enter survival mode, and in doing so desires to lock the body into inaction. It's primitive responses of fear, stillness, and hiding have preserved human life for thousands of years and has stuck with us ever since.
To counteract these effects, I do something very simple - I shift my weight to the balls of my feet. I also adopt a very slight raising and lowering of the body weight. Essentially a bounce, but slow and deliberate and almost imperceptible.
Shifting the weight to the balls of the feet sends a subconscious signal to the body that you are about to take action. The body relinquishes some of it's physical lockdown. Not only that, but the emotional state begins to change from one of fear and "what-if" to one of readiness and action, be it fight or flight. The slight bouncing promotes a continuation of blood flow and energy flow.
As martial artists, we conduct a large amount of our training on the balls of our feet. As we move, slide, spar, and defend ourselves we often need that mobility. The physical connection of that ball-of-foot stance puts us back in touch with our training and helps reconnect to that mindset. Training is of no value if we are too busy getting lost in our own heads and allowing the primitive parts of our brain to lock us into inaction. "The lizard brain" can be both helpful and harmful, so we must also develop small habits which can best circumvent those reactions which are least valuable.
* * *
I spent a moment worrying about all the ways a person could slide into the apartment with weapons, tools, and bad intentions. My muscles were tense. As soon as I shifted to the balls of my feet and utilized the slight bouncing I immediately returned to my training. I felt ready and collected and even thankful that I was the only resident in the apartment. I was also fortunate enough to have my metal pen right nearby. I knew where the intruder would be and he wouldn't know where I was, which means he'd have to be faster than me inside of a 1-2 step radius. Even if he had a gun I like my odds at that range with the element of surprise.
I continued to wait and listen patiently until I was convinced that either no one was in the room...or that they had settled in and were folding laundry. I carefully investigated further and found nothing of consequence accept a faulty hatch door which had fallen open once again.
* * *
I'm sure I didn't respond perfectly, but that's ok. I was able to overcome my body's natural reflexes that hinder decision making and quick movement during times of need. Yes, lots of training was a big part of it. But the body has very subtle psychology and energy that can be manipulated.
Keep this technique in mind the next time you find yourself in a tense situation, be it home invasion or otherwise. It might just help during the inevitable creeping of an amygdala hijack.
