Comments on Martial Views: Imagine

I like to visualize my opponents as engines and my...

2006-05-24T18:01:00.000-05:00

I like to visualize my opponents as engines and myself as the disassembling mechanic.

I think this is what the characters in Hero...

2006-05-23T13:13:00.000-05:00

I think this is what the characters in Hero were doing during those long breaks before the actual combat.

Interestingly enough, I would employ this technique before each piano recital; I'd imagine I played through and completed the performance gracefully and without mistakes. And each time, it worked. :)

"see yourself as larger than your adversary"

2006-05-23T07:19:00.000-05:00
"see yourself as larger than your adversary"

There's a nice link to make between what you write here and what Supergroup7 wrote on her blog. Survival.

The hard part, for me while training, is attaining that state of mind. Because of the relative safety in the dojo. I constantly have to remind myself that the person in front of me, while a co-student, represents a person wanting my life. And, that I have to stop him. That I have already stopped him.

Live doing, or die trying. Where did I hear : "even close, if it's missed, it's not done". Bruce Lee makes a similar statement in his book and so does Tokitsu. Countless master emphasize the importance of doing.

And, are you sure it wasn't just wishful thinking?

kidding.

Have a good day.

hmmm, great post as usual. You always have such th...

2006-05-21T15:09:00.000-05:00

hmmm, great post as usual. You always have such thought provoking posts John, than you. As to the small size of anyone: My mother (4'3") always told us that dynamite came in small packages. She was right 0.~
And as to trying, I am reminded of the great and wise Yoda, "DO or DO NOT, there is NO try..." Funny enough to quote Yoda, but the philosophy is indeed correct.

There was a woman in the school I used to train at...

2006-05-21T12:27:00.000-05:00

There was a woman in the school I used to train at (a black belt) who was 4'7". Never judge a book by its cover.

"see yourself as larger than your adversary"

2006-05-21T11:54:00.000-05:00
"see yourself as larger than your adversary"

My instructor often tells us the story about her instructor. She was walking on a dark college campus and some guys were walking near her and she felt they were up to no good. She stopped and stood up as tall as she could. (She's only about 5' tall) and the guys visibly backed away from her. They're lucky too, because from what I hear she is very good.

Great post, with lots of good things to think about.

Hello again, KFG. Originally, kata (forms) practic...

2006-05-20T12:01:00.000-05:00

Hello again, KFG. Originally, kata (forms) practice was the considered the essence and primary method of training in the martial arts. Many consider kata as a "moving" meditation of sorts. Thank you again for stopping by, and especially for your kind words.

Great post, thank you. I love that you connect wi...

2006-05-20T09:23:00.000-05:00

Great post, thank you. I love that you connect willpower with 'proper vision'. That's one of the things I just love about the Martial Arts - all the things they teach you about life and about yourself! Doing a form is like moving through life itself, one moment leading to the next. I read somewhere that the forms are, in a sense, the 'purest' moment of any Martial Art, because your opponent is essentially yourself. That's why doing them can teach you so much about yourself, your willpower and your vision.

As I'm new here, just wanted to say, reading through all the posts and comments has just been great. I'm training on my own at the moment (mentioned earlier on the Solitude post) and this has really helped me feel inspired and connected again.