Fighting & self defence
Self defence is only oriented towards one thing: ending
an immediate physical threat. How you go about it is a multi-layered strategy
that far supersedes simple physical application.
Self defence is never oriented towards ending a perceived emotional threat, such
as hurt pride, wounded feelings or to prove yourself right. It is not a form of
punishment or to prove your superiority over another human being.
(Marc MacYoung)
Avoid conflict
Avoid any form of physical or verbal conflict if you can.
If you want to fight somebody, then look to your insecurities.
Tai chi chuan is concerned with
self defence, not fighting.
Winning is not important.
If you can simply walk away, you should.
The rabbit and the fox
This excellent story comes from the book Zen in the Martial Arts:
A zen master
out for a walk with one of his students pointed out a fox chasing a rabbit.
"According to an ancient fable, the rabbit will get away from the fox," the
master said.
"Not so," replied the student. "The fox is faster."
"But the rabbit will elude him," insisted the master.
"Why are you so certain?" asked the student.
"Because the fox is running for his dinner and the rabbit is running for his
life," answered the master.
(Joe Hyams)
The same lesson can
be applied to fighting and self defence.
A fight is a mutual conflict - about something.
Self defence is when somebody assaults you - and you must protect yourself.
When you are defending your wellbeing (and possibly your life) the stakes are
high.
You have everything to lose.
Playful training in class
Kung fu students do not need to beat one another senseless in the pursuit
of self defence skills.
This seems somewhat counter-productive.
We adopt a playful attitude - like children who
exuberantly throw one another around, without aggression, without malice and
without harm.
Page created 17 September 2004