Accepting Honesty.

It is well documented that there are far more non-violence related benefits to Martial Arts training than those that only benefit fighting.

A theme that reoccurs on this blog is that the most important attribute for a Martial Artist to develop is HONESTY.

Personal honesty.

Not bullshitting ourselves.

Everywhere, all of the time.

It begins by being honest about the effectiveness of our chosen style to perform were we would wish it to perform.

Which leads to being honest about our ability to use that chosen style.

The major benefit of any style of Martial Art training is that little by little they lead us to a position/stance of more refined understanding of ourselves, a better human being, a higher honesty.

But it begins by being honest about what we do and why we do it.

It is well documented that there are far more non-violence related benefits to Martial Arts training than those that only benefit fighting.

There is nothing negative about approaching training as a hobby.

You will still learn all the moves, all the skills and if you were in a situation that required them they would most certainly work.

How do you define a situation that requires you to use your training?

This is a matter of ‘personal philosophy’ and not Martial Arts.

We may not see it clearly but every choice we make in life is decided by our chosen, working philosophy.

If you are any kind of religious/spiritual/mindfulness person then violence is not the first choice of solving any problem.

That is a central tenet to all of the religious/spiritual/mindfulness philosophies.

If you turn the other cheek you will get hit a second time, then what?

What is the philosophy of your Martial Art?

Do you know it?

Does it have one?

What happens if it clashes with your favoured philosophy?

To answer this requires HONESTY.

If you are thinking that you can change horses in mid-stream due to the situation, you are disrespecting both the new and the old philosophies.

HONESTY is not binary.

It is always on, or always off.

This is the beginning.

This is the hidden agenda for all Martial Arts.

The acceptance of HONESTY as an absolute, not an option.

IF WE WISH TO BE A BETTER MARTIAL ARTIST IN 3, 5 OR 10 YEARS WE MUST UNDERSTAND THE MARTIAL ARTIST WE ARE TODAY.