The Art of Fighting without Fighting: This is the ultimate goal of true martial arts study. And I know many have forgotten this. I well recall the boat scene in Bruce Lee's Enter the Dragon when he was challenged by the Auzzie as to his "style." Sadly I see this as being lost to many students and instructors in modern times. So much ego, and there is no need for it. The art of Fighting without Fighting.
In my Dojo we have tenets, one of which is "I will only fight to protect my live and the lives of others."
There is nothing in there about winning matches, trophies or because some guy said something that pissed you off.
Do no harm is the mantra. The true art of self defense, fighting without Fighting.
Today there is no much anger, and the anger is righteous for the most part. But when anger controls people, and when you become addicted to anger, it controls you, you do not control it. There is an old saying in Buddhism about anger: “Holding on to anger is like grasping a hot coal with the intent of throwing it at someone else; you are the one who gets burned.”
Today many are destroying themselves and their health with their anger.
The Art of Fighting without Fighting
Have you ever noticed when you have a conflict with someone, no matter the outcome, your reply it over and over again in your mind? This is because your mind is undisciplined. When the conflict is finished, even if just for the moment, let it go, release the emotions tying you to this. The true warrior is emotionless about the battle because he or she is aware the battle is not personal. When something is person, the Triple Warmer Meridian goes into overdrive, and you lose the ability to think critically about the situation.
Back in years gone by I used to write a lot of articles on Self Defense. However I have stopped. And self defense for me is the art of fighting without fighting. Because you do not always have to do damage. But you train in preparation to do so. I stopped mostly because of the vast number of comments about "just shooting the guy." While sometime killing an assailant is necessary, this cannot ever be taking lightly. And too many people take it lightly. Most of the time in 1st world countries your life is not in danger.
The Art of Fighting without Fighting, comes from someone who has not just trained the body in preparation, but someone who has gone the extra mile to train the mind. Controlling anger and fear, fighting without Fighting. And this is a life long path too!
Here is something from the Dharmapada,
This is about Fighting without Fighting.
The Buddha said, “Conquer anger by non-anger. And Conquer evil by good. Conquer miserliness by liberality. Also Conquer a liar by truthfulness.” (Dhammapada, v. 233). If you would like to listen to the entire audiobook of these writings follow the link above. This is a book all martial artist should study.
If the student wishes to compete, then compete. That however is only a body training. only a small portion of the purpose of martial arts. Expand yourself, find and train in a complete system, or as complete a system as possible. It becomes a problem when a long time student, as an example, will not let go of the thrill of competition. And then in advanced age, well past youth, feels the need to continue to stroke his ego with "winning." An addiction has developed and the student is not in control of their own mind.
True winning would be to expand the learning in other areas of martial arts, and thereby life. This is done by realizing masters, true masters and still students first. Learning never stops, unless addiction to ego has consumed the student.
Fighting without Fighting- Art of Letting Go
The art of letting go comes from realization that "all knowledge is self knowledge," as Bruce Lee stated. The student must learn that "the way is not a doctrine, and a doctrine is not the way." All techniques, all ideas, all movement once learned must be let go of, released.
An example is the instructor who says "this technique works because..." has no understanding. No technique works, it is the training of the student that decides the outcome. This is similar to the instructor who says you cannot strike a pressure point in battle. If this is true it is the lack of training of the instructor, not pressure points. The instructor is clinging to something they like or dislike. This reminds me of the story of 2 monks and a women.
2 Monks
A senior monk and a junior monk were traveling together. At one point, they came to a river with a strong current. As the monks were preparing to cross the river, they saw a very young and beautiful woman also attempting to cross.
The young woman asked if they could help her cross to the other side.
"The two monks glanced at one another because they had taken vows not to touch a woman.
Then, without a word, the older monk picked up the woman, carried her across the river, placed her gently on the other side, and carried on his journey.
The younger monk couldn’t believe what had just happened. After rejoining his companion, he was speechless, and an hour passed without a word between them.
Art of letting go
Two more hours passed, then three, finally the younger monk could contain himself any longer, and blurted out “As monks, we are not permitted a woman, how could you then carry that woman on your shoulders?”
The older monk looked at him and replied, “Brother, I set her down on the other side of the river, why are you still carrying her?”"
Have you seen this behavior in yourself? This is the mind fighting the mind. Better Fighting without Fighting. Letting go.
Fighting without Fighting - Art of War
Without balance in life, balance in all things, success in life is very hard. Now I can hear the arguments because some people appear to be successful. However we for the most part are always missing information to come to those conclusions. Karma is absolute, and you believing in Karma is irrelevant. This is important when it comes to the street and the art of Fighting without Fighting.
Sun Tzu's Art of War is a book, like the Dharmapada, that should be studied by all students.
The art of war is about balance. And today we are fighting a war, an Information War. One of basic human rights, and God given rights. And justice is coming, but ONLY if we remain in balance, and unemotional of the situation. This does not mean you will not feel emotional, but you must let it go.
Fighting without Fighting In Conclusion
I encourage you, no matter your age, rededicate yourself to your training. That might mean the study of Kyusho Jitsu, perhaps taking up Meditation. Or you may wish to go all in and study a full and complete system like Kosho Shorei Ryu.
But no matter what you decide train. Train the body, train the mind and connect the spirit.
Thank you for reading the Art of Fighting without Fighting. I hope you enjoyed it!
Have a Kyusho Question? Ask here!!
Please use this form to submit any questions.
Kosho Core Concepts Series
Learn the Foundations, Theories and Concepts Of Kosho Shorei Ryu
Natural Laws of Self Defense
If you are looking for a SOLID education in the movements and principles of the Octagon follow the link below and learn more.
Bunkai the Art of Kata Interpretation
An In Depth Learning of Movement
And the Secrets locked in your Kata
Related articles
Books and Courses
Thank you for reading the Art of Fighting without Fighting! And please visit my Dog Rescue! If you enjoyed this article please consider using the Red Bell to subscribe to new articles.
Thank you for your time and have a wonderful day! Keep Learning!
Vă mulțumesc pentru timpul acordat și o zi minunată! Continua sa inveti!
Al vostru în arte,
Mare Maestru Art Mason
