How To Think Like A Martial Artist And Win
Contrary to public opinion, a true Martial Artist wears the spirit of peace, humility and tranquility; not tumultuous outward aggression. Why? There are many practical reasons for this. The #1 reason, from a warrior’s perspective, is that a serene peaceful nature makes a more effective fighting machine.
Yes, I agree, on the surface, this is a paradox. It seems a contradiction. But, if you go into the detail of “one on one” combat and its history related to martial arts, it makes a lot of sense.
It most certainly came to light during the early formative years of the Japanese Samurai. These gentlemen where the elites in a society that valued personal strength, honor, courage, respect and civility. These were attributes buoyed up by the Japanese culture, Zen Buddhism, and Confucianism. The primary influence was, of course, the practice of Zen. Latter this adopted code of behavior by the Samurai became known as Bushido.
The Samurai embraced the teachings of Zen, which helped him to negate his natural fear of death. How? Most likely by the structured use of Zen meditation. The serenity that comes with the acceptance of ones fate, namely death. Thus the Samurai acknowledged his death as an occupational hazard, privilege and honor.
His sole purpose on this earth was to give his life in the protecting and defending of his Master or lord.
Most importantly, from the standpoint of the Samurai and his feudal lord, he was a very effective fighting machine. Living with no fear of death because that was his business, to die in battle protecting his master.
The psychology then, in feudal times and today, of the martial artist is basically the same. That is, Self-Control is of paramount importance. The combative contests of today, whether it be kickboxing, sparring, sword fighting or whatever, is normally about out pointing your opponent. You see the same thing in Boxing and amateur wrestling.
The key to winning such a contest is above all else, never loose your temper or self-control. Once you loose control of your emotions, you normally are beat. Your best strategy is to keep calm and keep your eyes on your opponents eyes, which of course is a very difficult thing to do. Especially, when you are getting the holy heck beat out of you.
Really excellent fighters in martial arts, are very good at keeping a strong check on their emotions and reading their opponents thoughts. They have learned to control their passions. I am a Black Belt in Tae Kwon Do, 2nd Degree. I learned the hard way, the importance of keeping calm and self-controlled in sparring competition.
I remember one bout I had, where my opponent was much younger and faster then me. This really teed me off at the time. I decided I was going to beat him with brute force. I used several “push” kicks on him. He went flying to the mat each time I push kicked him. My ego was eating this up. However, he came back at me with very well positioned round house kicks. He scored on me and won the match. The push kick did not merit a point. It is designed to merely knock an opponent off balance.
So, he had the last laugh. He won by keeping his self-control and not letting his ego get the best of him. I lost because I let my ego and self-control get out of hand.
In most traditional martial art schools, you will find “Tenants” and other positive cultural influences, which lead and encourage its students towards self-discipline and self-control. This is the big reason parents who have children in these martial art schools, make financial sacrifices inorder to keep their kids in these schools. The positive effect martial arts has on kids, and adults for that matter, is very strong.
I felt that getting my “Black Belt” was like getting a PHD in Emotional Control. Don’t take my word for it. Ask any Black Belt about this. He or she will tell you the same thing. Approximately 10% of all students who begin martial arts, actually obtain a Black Belt.
Contrary to the popular belief, that a Black Belt is a real Bad Dude, is really a work of fiction. Most Black Belts will bend over backwards inorder to avoid a fight. Civility, politeness, humility, and courtesy are hallmarks of any genuine martial artist.
Why? Because, only by mastering your aggressions and emotions can you be a real winner in the Arena of Life. Mohamed Ali, very early on in his illustrious career, learned this fact. “Make your opponent mad and loose his temper and you will win.”
If you can remember, Mohamed would go out of his way to get his opponents angry at him. He would deliberately say the most insulting things he could think of about his opponents. At “fight time”, Floyd Patterson, Sonny Listen, Frazier, and the rest of them would enter the ring, frothing at the mouth, just dying to get their fists on that arrogant smart mouth.
Mohamed Ali, kept up his verbal insults while he was fighting his opponents in the ring. The strategy worked, because he almost always won the fight.
A word of caution to any of you out there who are looking for an easy fight. Go after the raucous, belligerent, loudmouth. No, not really. But certainly avoid the mild mannered individuals. Watch out! These are the ones that will fool you. I guarantee you, you will think you have a tiger by the tail if you “start” something with them.
All kidding aside, if you are truly aggressive and have a need for “mixing it up”, get into martial arts, which is a very structured world. I guarantee you will find a legitimate outlet for your aggression and you will become a better person for it, by embracing The Way.
Jack Marinchek is the publisher of the site, standforyourgreatness.com/ standforyourgreatness.com/, which features- inspirational information on life improvement, getting jobs and income, travel, and real estate relocation.
