Martial Arts – ultimate self-help system

by zagor 12 Replies latest jw friends

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  zagor

  After leaving J-dubs one of the first things I did was to enroll in Kung Fu martial arts school (and recently even started doing Ninjutsu). It was one of the best decisions I’ve ever made, until recent times at least.
  What I’ve quickly learned was that beauty of martial arts transcends physical skill and techniques. It is by no means only whole body workout; it is body and mind workout in its fullest sense.
  To master advanced level of martial arts one cannot skip over underlying philosophy. At first, being a fresh ex-dub I was apprehensive of any new “philosophical approach”
  What I’ve quickly learned was that those underlying ideals are in fact foundation stones of not only marital arts but life itself. And I’m talking about successful life.
  Ideas that permeate martial arts are so profound yet so innocent in their simplicity that at first one may not even realize how vital they are.

  We often hear that martial arts increase self-esteem. It is true but that is only a small beginning. And I’ll explain in one small example why.
  One of the fundamental characteristics of great masters is complete control over the situation. But in order to achieve that they must have more than physical readiness, they must have control over their own thoughts. They must be living in the NOW moment.
  What does that mean? Let me quote from one really great book I’ve come across recently that speaks about skills of Ninja Shadow Warrior state of mind.

  Most of us spend all of our time locked in the past or worrying about the future. We carry our past and our hopes for the future with us wherever we go. We carry both the happy and unhappy stuff of our lives. And so if we want a powerful and clear mind that makes us feel centered within ourselves, we need to cultivate a practice of just laying down the thoughts of past and the future and “coming home” to the now. Otherwise, the “then” or the “yet to be” dominates our experience and we miss out on what is happening right now. The only moment you truly have is right now. The past is gone. The future hasn’t happened yet.
  (The Warrior Mind – Ancient Wisdom From the Martial Arts for Living a More Powerful Life, J. Pritchard (2006) p.42)

  When I was thinking about application of that and what such profound ideas can do to many lives on even this board one realization really struck me. As j-dubs our thoughts were locked in an illusive future that would never come as ex-dubs we might find our thoughts being locked in a past that won’t go away. But what really matters is now moment, which might be impossible to fully appreciate or enjoy for that matter if we live in kind of a limbo between two extremes. Very interesting isn’t it?

  And this is only one small example of how profoundly martial arts can change your life if you immerse yourself in it. I can tell you from my own experience that it didn’t just help. It did much, much more. Ideas behind martial arts rebuilt perceptive powers of my mind and helped me return to my natural self the way I was before becoming j-dub only in much more powerful way. The only other thing that remotely matched to it was university study.
  In my humble opinion serious martial arts training is the best self-help system you can get today if you are still struggling with issues from the past you want to get over. It will help you in ways you might not even dream of right now. And side effect will be also these

  – enormous self-belief and self-esteem
  - Sharpness and alertness of mind
  - Attentiveness
  - Powerful presence wherever you go
  - Calmness of mind and sprit
  - Enviable physical condition
  - Etc.

  What do you think having those characteristics would do to your life right now? Well I could see many of you as very successful people either in business or otherwise.
  You are all winners now that you managed to escape this cult, but if your really what to escape completely and enjoy powerful life why not give a try to martial arts. It is the greatest self-help system around.

  Just a thought.

  But I believe that at least some of you have already tried it, maybe you did Karate, Judo, Tai Chi, or any other martial arts, maybe even Kickboxing. So please do share your experiences here.
• 

  Satanus

  Sounds very true. My research has turned up muai tai as one of the best, all around. Do you know if it also has an underlying philosophy? Also, i am 53 yrs old, w shoulder joints that, due to my occupation, aren't as good as they could be. Is taking up something like this doable for me?

  S
• 

  zagor

  Satanus,
  I don't know much about Muay Thai. I know it is a version of kickboxing practiced in some south asian countries, Just like K-1 in Japan. But most of those asain disciplines do have some philosophical background attached to them. That of course depends how old they are and if they had enough time to develop it. Though I'd say that another kickboxing discipline of Pradal Serey probably must have some sort of ideollogical background. It was developed in 8th or 9th century in Cambodia. It was practiced by state army of legendary city of Angkor, so I'm sure like everything else about that kingdom there must have been ideological bacground. I can find out if you want.
• 

  Dansk

  I did martial arts years ago - Shotokan and Wado Ryu karate plus Kung Fu - then, when I was about 49 and still being quite fit, I took up Zen Judo. Unfortunately, cancer put an end to my training!

  If I had to choose a martial art now it would be Aikido. It is an art that women can excel in as it relies more on using one's opponent's strength against him/herself.

  Hope you're enjoying Christmas Zagor and Satanus!

  Ian
• 

  Satanus

  Zagor

  Thanks. No, it's ok. Do you think that i could do that stuff? I'm in good shape, except for what i mentioned.

  S
• 

  Seeker4

  Have studied karate, tai chi and aikido. Would definitely recommend aikido, and some have excelled at it after starting in their 50s. A good philosophy as well.

  S4
• 

  zagor

  Satanus,
  I think you should be fine, (look at Ian :p) you probably have more strenght than you realize. As long as your bones are strong you should be fine. If you want to double check I'd take bone density test. You can go to your nearest pharmacy store and ask them If they'd do it for you. At least many of them have it here. You will probably go through lots of training before having you first close contact in ring anyway. But I believe many smart ass young guns would be intimidated by very sight of you :)

  I've seen remarkable achievements with people well passed their 60 so I'm sure you can do it too. Just go easy on yourself at first.

  Merry Christmas Ian, it is already Boxing day here :)
• 

  MadTiger

  I always was fascinated by the martial arts, and even while a dub, still watched the ocassional boxing match or martial arts demonstration/fight.
  
  I have recently decided to start an informal study, but with the same goals as OP: use the underlying philosophies to replace those I have cast aside.
  
  I have spent quite a bit of time on the histories of the various arts, and while I have appreciation for all of them much in the same way a first-rate musician has respect for all musical forms, I have decided to take an a la carte approach similar to ninjutsu and Bruce Lee's philosophy behind jeet kune do.
  
  It is what fits my natural philosophy. Nin kune do, or whatever I choose to call it. The Way of the Stealthy Fist. As a way of a quick primer, the ninja practioners weren't
  
  only involved in the spying and assassination that the movies portray. They actually started as freedom fighting rebels who waged guerilla warfare on the oppressive samurai ruling class.
  
  They sought to protect their religious freedom and physical freedom. Unlike the samurai, who were bound by the chivalry-type code of Bushido, the ninja's philosophy of ninpo allowed for many
  
  more means to accomplish a goal.
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  yaddayadda

  I did Brazilian Jiu-jitsu for a while and can understand what you are getting at. It focuses your thoughts like nothing else and I found it a good way to get my mind of JW stuff. BJJ is pretty hard-core and not for the faint-hearted and if you end up in a dojo that tolerates bullys and ego-maniacs it can be deflating to your self-esteem, especially in the early stages.
  
  I have a cousin who is a 5th dan Zendokai karate black-belt and he says that if he were to take up any martial art now it would be Aikido.
  
  I might try Aikido soon but I'm a bit put off by all the tradition and crazy pants Gi's.
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  orbison11

  zagor, that is excellent timing for me

  i am wanting to get healthy via exercise and i have found, over the past couple of days (xmas) that i am somewhat stuck in the past, to a detriment....

  i am going to look into this

  thanks

  wendy