| Recently I submitted an article titled, "Martial Arts | | | | Some of the greatest luminaries in the martial arts |
| Training Could Be a Tragic Mistake" to an online forum. | | | | have said that fighting is a last resort, that it is not an |
| Taken at face value, these are fighting words, at least | | | | enlightened way to address conflicts. Gichin Funakoshi, |
| to fellow black belts that have invested 8 years as I | | | | the founder of Shotokan Karate, said: |
| have, or even longer, earning their rank and skills. | | | | "To win 100 victories in 100 battles is not the highest |
| But of course, as you can imagine, I go on to explain: | | | | skill. To subdue the enemy without fighting is the |
| (1) If you are being bullied and bloodied, or that is | | | | highest skill." |
| happening to someone you know and love, then | | | | Aikido echoes this sentiment. |
| getting martial arts instruction is a great idea. | | | | I ask, where are we most likely to learn the skills that |
| (2) If, however, you are a person that is looking for | | | | Funakoshi describes, where will we cultivate combat |
| trouble, who is projecting his own hostility into the world, | | | | alternatives? Should we look to a martial arts school? |
| and is training to deflect what he is creating, then your | | | | In other words, where do we get the best chance to |
| training is a tragic mistake. | | | | practice peace? |
| I build on the ideas in the Tao Te Ching, which says: | | | | We need to search our souls to discover our |
| "The greatest tragedy is to have an enemy." | | | | inner-bullies, our drives that are making us seek the |
| I believe a great tragedy is to needlessly CREATE an | | | | protections that martial arts training seems to promise. |
| enemy, and for those that fall into this trap, martial arts | | | | Here is the formula: Our hostility and anger creates |
| training isn't the way to break free. | | | | fear of retribution. Fear of retribution makes us believe |
| Two types of responses were launched based on my | | | | we'll come under attack. Thus, we seek self-defense |
| posting: | | | | training. |
| (1) REFLEXIVE ones, the knee-jerk kind, that mindlessly | | | | But the reason we're desperately seeking a shield is |
| defend martial arts training, saying it is great for | | | | that we're unwittingly pointing our swords in all |
| everyone; and | | | | directions. |
| (2) REFLECTIVE ones, with thought informing them, | | | | Stop your own belligerence and you may not require a |
| that gave serious consideration to my thesis. | | | | sword or a shield, or training in how to wield them. |
| Almost all writers replied that they believe the | | | | Some respondents to my piece have said, in effect: |
| SECONDARY GAINS of martial arts training made the | | | | "Now that I have achieved my Black Belt I realize I |
| undertaking more than worth their while. They cited | | | | don't have to fight; I have alternatives!" |
| everything from self-discipline to patience to fitness. | | | | This reminds me of playwright Edward Albee's |
| Also, they noted that they overcame fears for their | | | | character in "The Zoo Story," who said: "Sometimes |
| personal safety. | | | | you have to go a long distance out of your way to |
| Why, I was asked, did I post this piece? | | | | come back a short distance, correctly." |
| I wanted to stimulate discussion, especially regarding | | | | Or as folks say, "Before you study Zen, a cup of tea |
| the simple, karmic thesis that I've been entertaining that | | | | is a cup of tea. Then it is about everything but tea. |
| says the world sends back what we send forth. | | | | After you study Zen, a cup of tea is again a cup of |
| If we're looking for negativity, for conflict, and to fight, | | | | tea." |
| complementary forces are out there, and in short | | | | Do we need instruction in this? |
| order they will hew to our call and march to our | | | | I suppose some of us do. |
| doorsteps. | | | | But training is not everyone's cup of tea. |