| I hope it will challenge, provoke & maybe even | | | | Greek philosopher named Parmenides who stated |
| enlighten. Give it a go. If it does arouse something in | | | | that one should "…view the world with an |
| you, please feel free to drop me a line & let me | | | | independent, or true view (that is independent of |
| know what you think. | | | | time and position, the accidents & peculiar view point |
| The justification for self defence | | | | of the receiver)". This is a much better explanation |
| We all take part in this thing we call martial arts, but | | | | than that which the dictionary gives; "that which is |
| at the end of the day, what is the real point in the | | | | not False…conforming with reality". |
| activity? What is it within man's psyche which seeks | | | | It stands to reason that in any situation, there will be |
| to control something as harrowing as being attacked | | | | many different sides, but there remains only one |
| by another? | | | | truth. What happened, happened - that is the fact & |
| The martial arts are necessary to mankind, since | | | | the truth. But ask any observers & each version will |
| every person has a built-in fear of attack. This is | | | | be slightly different. Thus, the very meaning of the |
| proved in the very existence of Adrenaline, a Fight or | | | | truth, suggests that an individual truth is impossible - |
| Flight hormone. It is part of a law of self-preservation | | | | a mere illusion. |
| & self-protection. Evolution has built every creature | | | | The truth lies in seeing passed the "versions"; the |
| with this quality, which conforms to the natural law. | | | | perception, to see the totality; the truth. Each martial |
| It is a sad truth that potential harm could be caused | | | | art is a version of the truth, a perspective. Tae |
| to you by another human being. There is no manner | | | | Kwon-Do teaches that kicks are the answer, Judo |
| of protection you can give yourself, but to prepare | | | | demonstrates that throwing is the answer; Muay Thai |
| for the worst. It makes no difference how big or | | | | promotes elbow & shins as the answer. |
| strong you are, how intelligent you are, or how fast | | | | Terminal simplicity |
| your reactions. You alone will not be enough to | | | | Lee had the right idea in "taking what is useful & |
| defend a gang, & therefore the fear is always | | | | discarding the rest". With this idea, Lee infers that |
| present. | | | | martial arts have elements that are useful, but they |
| In that famous philosophical & political text, the | | | | also have parts that have missed the point. This is |
| Leviathan (1651), Hobbes argued this case most | | | | true since all martial arts are a "version" of the truth. |
| succinctly. He stated that although some men may | | | | In the same way as a police officer will ask all the |
| be stronger or more intelligent than others in their | | | | witnesses to build up a true picture of the event, or |
| natural state, none are so strong as to be beyond a | | | | an historian who will look at all the sources in context. |
| fear of violent death. This consequently justifies | | | | It is your faculty in discovering the truth to identify |
| self-defence as man's highest necessity. | | | | that which is useful as separate from that which is |
| This necessity, though slightly pessimistic is at the | | | | useless. What is useful is universal. This universal will |
| same time realistic. Even those with a "Love thy | | | | appear in many art forms. Be your own police officer; |
| neighbour" philosophy recognise the natural necessity | | | | look at all the arts, take what is useful, it's point of |
| for self-defence. Evidence even suggests that Jesus | | | | view within context, compare with others & build a |
| himself was said to have believed in the need for | | | | true view of the martial arts event by discarding the |
| self-defence. In the Gnostic gospel[EN-1] of St. | | | | rest. |
| Thomas, Jesus tells Thomas; "Fortunate is the man | | | | This being said, however, what Lee didn't quite reach |
| who knows where the brigands will enter, so that he | | | | is the fact that what is useful will always be the |
| may get up, muster his domain, and arm himself | | | | same. Perhaps this was part of his theory which was |
| before they invade." | | | | not fully explored. Why is it that he opted for Boxing |
| So the case for self-defence as a necessary human | | | | techniques in his JKD? I believe that it is because |
| endeavour is apparent. It does not matter how much | | | | they are natural techniques, which follow a principle |
| money you have, how many bodyguards you | | | | of natural simplicity. He didn't use "Boxing" techniques, |
| surround yourself with, the fear of being attacked is | | | | he used techniques which are natural to the human |
| a homo-psychological "ball & chain". | | | | body, which happen to also be in boxing. Why did he |
| The need to critique Lee's works | | | | not use Karate gedan barai? How many non-martial |
| How many people have actually considered Bruce | | | | artists do you see use a Gedan barai in a pub brawl? |
| Lee's ideas & taken them further? Let us not forget | | | | Techniques with more artifice than reality are useless |
| the death of this legend, but also let us remember | | | | and are therefore the first methods to be discarded. |
| that he died whilst many of his theories were still | | | | In accordance to the dictionary description, these |
| evolving. As great as he was, (which I do not | | | | techniques are not true because they do not have a |
| disagree with) he was a single man who was a part | | | | basis in ordinary reality. |
| of the evolution of martial arts as Newton was to | | | | So why these specific techniques? The Roman |
| physics & his ideas were evolving continuously. Lee | | | | philosopher Marcus Aurelius stated that "To a |
| himself stated that: | | | | reasoning being, an act that accords with nature is an |
| "The founder of any branch of Chinese gung fu [or | | | | act that accords with reason." The explanation as to |
| any form of martial arts] must be more ingenious | | | | why nature is a perfect example of reason & |
| than the common man. If his achievement is not | | | | structure is too complex to argue in this article. |
| carried on by his disciples of the same ingenuity, then | | | | Nevertheless, nature has an inert way of being |
| things will only become formalized and get stuck in a | | | | terminally simple. It is only our human inability to see |
| cul-de-sac; whereby breakthrough and progress will | | | | the bottom of the iceberg that makes our minds |
| be almost impossible." | | | | consider the world as complex. |
| In other words, Lee has pinpointed the reason for | | | | The secret to mastery of any martial art: Ding An |
| crystallization and tradition in the martial arts (or | | | | Sich |
| indeed any subject). The fact that truly innovative & | | | | Take your mind away from your body, & what you |
| ingenious people are rare, means that if it is carried | | | | have left is an object. Imagine that your body is an |
| on by people with less ingenuity (not to be confused | | | | object like any other. The body is a weapon like any |
| with intelligence[EN-2]), through the attempt to retain | | | | inanimate object - it has its very own armoury in the |
| the innovation, the system is taught in a formalised | | | | form of bones. Conversely, the human body has |
| way, lest any secret be lost in digressing. Eventually, | | | | many weak points; where nerves converge, where |
| the system becomes stale & hence "breakthrough | | | | tendons are just beneath the skin & where bones |
| and progress will be almost impossible". Lee's | | | | cannot protect the vital organs well enough (the |
| concepts were like the prism to a beam of light. His | | | | floating ribs for example). This is a good argument |
| concepts showed the spectrum of colour present in | | | | for the proof of Dim Mak or fabled "Death Touch". |
| light. But he did not invent light. | | | | Now if your body is a weapon, consider it "Ding An |
| We must remember, that as innovative as Lee's | | | | Sich", or "The thing in itself". This was a philosophical |
| ideas are; they can always be improved upon. The | | | | idea popularised by a German philosopher named |
| danger lies in when people are satisfied, or accepting | | | | Immanuel Kant (22 April 1724 - 12 February 1804). He |
| of the ideas & unwilling to challenge them [EN-3]. This | | | | argued that because the mind bases it's knowledge |
| is the very reason for martial arts becoming | | | | of the world around it from the senses, we must |
| crystallised and traditionalised. When no fluidity & | | | | recognise that these senses are a purely human |
| flexibility is present, death commences. | | | | perception. Therefore, objects exist in & of |
| Your own path to the truth; the secret of ingenuity | | | | themselves & do not need someone to perceive it in |
| "Seek not to follow in the footsteps of great people; | | | | order for it to exist [EN-6]. This means that we |
| but seek that which they themselves had sought" | | | | should consider the weapon in itself - take the hand |
| -My philosophy | | | | for example. |
| There are many different paths which will lead to | | | | The most powerful parts are the knuckles, the palm |
| enlightenment. However, mastery can extend from | | | | & the base (when clenched). The application of these |
| understanding the path which so-called "Enlightened | | | | areas to the open targets of the opponent creates a |
| ones" have taken. The secret is not to assume it's | | | | phenomenon more commonly known as a |
| impossible because you find it hard. But to recognise | | | | "technique". I argue that many martial arts teach |
| that if it's humanly possible, you can do it too [EN-4]. | | | | techniques without looking at their elemental purpose. |
| Basic psychology tells us that in most situations, | | | | If the body's weapons were considered Ding An Sich, |
| under the same stresses, people act & react in much | | | | alongside the target of application or it's point of |
| the same way. Therefore, given the same impetus | | | | convergence, then the techniques will happen |
| as Lee had, taking the same course of study & | | | | naturally. |
| reading the same books as Lee, you will come to | | | | If we take these possible techniques as the |
| realise that which Lee realised. For that reason, my | | | | parameters of fighting we can begin to construct the |
| philosophy is not to blindly follow Lee's method, but | | | | truth in combat. Parameters & elements are present |
| to study that which he himself had sought. | | | | in every subject. Music, for example, is based upon |
| Furthermore, this resonates in the understanding of | | | | the same notes. Any kind of music, from classical to |
| anything. I read that which Aristotle read, so that I | | | | Punk rock uses the same basic notes. With this in |
| may come to the same conclusions as Aristotle. | | | | mind, all humans have two arms & two legs, which |
| Given the same impetus, most people will come to | | | | means that all movements possible are limited to the |
| the same conclusions. Everything in the world | | | | range of motion possible with these limbs. |
| manifests itself. | | | | Once you have identified which parts of the body |
| The secret of realising the so-called secrets of martial | | | | are best used as weapons, we must also consider |
| arts is to look at what is in your sight. The secret is | | | | the targets on the human body in which these can |
| that there are no secrets. Consider that the secrets | | | | be applied. |
| descend from the founder of the style. The founder | | | | [1] The Gnostic gospels are thought by some to be |
| of the art discovered the truth, & naturally, after his | | | | the true Christianity. These texts were discovered in |
| passing this truth was protected by his followers in | | | | Egypt & are referred to as the Nag Hammadi. |
| order to keep control of the school. However, if the | | | | Arguably one of the most important archaeological |
| founder discovered it in his own path, you may | | | | finds of the 20th Century, they are texts much |
| follow the path to reach the same conclusion [EN-5]. | | | | closer to Jesus' original teachings. Some even |
| In the words of the Greek philosopher Meno, "by a | | | | pre-date the more well-known 4 Gospels in |
| process of mere questioning, will he attain a true | | | | Roman-Catholic Christianity. These texts have gained |
| science, knowledge in the fullest sense by the | | | | much modern popularity because of conspiracy |
| recovery of such science out of himself." | | | | theories as well as The Da Vinci Code. For a good |
| Only then will what was once hidden become plain to | | | | account of the texts & the religion, see Ehrman's |
| you. Others will recognise the innovation of your | | | | "Lost Christianities". For the full copy of St. Thomas' |
| thought, because they realise it has always been | | | | Gospel, consult Ehrman's "Lost Scriptures". |
| there - but they were unaware of it. Gravity has | | | | [2] It is evidenced in many martial arts systems |
| always been present on the earth, but the innovation | | | | whereby the founders ideas are not furthered & are |
| of Newton was that he brought it to people's | | | | not progressed. A good example would be Lee's JKD. |
| attention. If gravity had always been present, what | | | | Some masters have taken the art further, looked |
| did he truly say that was innovative? He simply saw | | | | into what Lee was studying & improved the system |
| what was in his sight (the apple falling) & what was | | | | where Lee was interrupted. Others on the other |
| once hidden (the existence of gravity) became plain | | | | hand state, sometimes ignorantly, that Lee's ideas |
| to him. | | | | can never be improved & describe the highest point |
| Lee looked at what was plain to him; the movements | | | | achievable in the martial arts. This would be a |
| of the human body & their application to fighting - | | | | mentality based upon faith rather than informed |
| and what was out of sight became visible. His own | | | | reason. |
| teaching of this path was what he called Jeet Kune | | | | [3] Einstein once remarked that ingeniousness was a |
| Do. By looking at what is in your sight; what is | | | | unique combination of knowledge & imagination. Many |
| unknown will become evident to you. That was the | | | | people are intelligent, & knowledgeable, but few are |
| purpose of JKD. "Again let me remind you Jeet Kune | | | | ingenious. |
| Do is just a name used, a boat to get one across, | | | | [4] A truly inspiring statement, however, I have |
| and once across it is to be discarded and not to be | | | | simply paraphrased the words of the great Roman |
| carried on one's back." | | | | philosopher Marcus Aurelius, Book 6, 19. For more |
| So consider those basic techniques you practice over | | | | inspiring lines, see Aurelius' Meditations. |
| & over. Do not wish for more, for you have the | | | | [5] Although my philosophy is geared towards |
| secrets already. When you can truly understand this, | | | | self-teaching & learning, there are many pitfalls. The |
| then you too will have the secret of ingenuity. | | | | study must be made soberly, looking at all the |
| An individual truth or a universal truth? | | | | possible areas of study & viewing the whole picture. |
| Bruce Lee once stated: "The Truth in Combat is | | | | That way, any knowledge gained can be put into |
| different for each individual." | | | | context. We must consider the main exponents of |
| To critique this statement, we must first look at | | | | the study, say Bruce Lee, Morihei Ueshiba, et al, and |
| what "truth" is. To the philosophical Pessimism | | | | seek to learn the underlying principles of each |
| movement in Western philosophy, no truth can ever | | | | masters method. We cannot rule-out any masters |
| be known, because our entire understanding of the | | | | ideology based upon our own favourites, or our own |
| world around us is constructed by what our senses | | | | opinions. Self-teaching means you must act in two |
| tell us (and our senses can often be mistaken). | | | | minds; as a student & as your own critical teacher. |
| For example, our perspective of fire tells us that it is | | | | [6] Remember that well known saying; "If a tree falls |
| hot & causes pain & damage; but if we were to | | | | in a forest, does it make a sound?". Consider this |
| view it from the perspective of granite, fire would | | | | carefully. The word "sound" infers a sense - which |
| not cause any damage at all. It's powers of | | | | needs a living being to perceive it. Since trees have |
| destruction are purely relative depending upon the | | | | no sense to perceive "sound", would the tree falling |
| subject receiving its effects. Therefore, we can only | | | | make a "sound"? In effect, the phenomenon of |
| know anything from a human perspective. | | | | "sound" cannot exist without a sense to make the |
| The meaning of truth was summed up perfectly by a | | | | vibrations of the air mean anything. |