The Hidden Assailant By Scott Shaw

 

By Scott Shaw

 

As a martial arts author, I have written so much about defending yourself against the hidden assailant and/or what to do when you are unexpectedly attacked. It seems that in the physical realms of reality it is much more easily discussed what to do, when. When it comes to the other levels of life, when you are attacked, from an unexpected opponent, defense seems oftentimes more complicated. Why? Because like all unseen attacks, the coward is attacking you from a position of surprise where defense is never easy.

Think about a time when your life was shaken by someone coming at you and attacking from some unseen location. Maybe this was in some form of an insult, a lie, a harsh criticism, a false discourse, cheating, breaking your heart, you name it—the list of this style of attack is sadly very long. Why did they do it? In most cases, it was because they wanted to hurt you. In other cases, it is not so devious, it is simply because they did not really care about your feelings. They put their own feelings over yours and, thus, though the hurt they unleash may not be as calculated as someone who is intentionally attempting to damage you or your life, what they did painfully hurt, nonetheless.

Take a moment and isolate one of those attacks that came at you out of nowhere. How did it feel? Undoubtedly it damaged you.

There are some people, in fact many, who unleash this style of attack; who will claim that you deserved it. You had it coming. They do not like you or what you do or what you say so they attack from some hidden position. But, does their not liking you or being mad at you, (or whatever), give them the right to hurt you from afar? Of course, when you are on the receiving end, you will say, “No.” But, turn this around for a moment, what about when you did something like that to someone else? What was your motivation? Of course, you felt the same set of emotions of wanting to unleash hurt to that person. But, did you ever question the truth of your why?

Most people who behave in this manner easily find a justification for doing what they do, in the capacity of clandestine hurt. But, as in the case with all justification, the unleashing of hurt is only a very self-centered ideology, based upon a specific set of beliefs harbored and emulated from a single individual. Yes, what they do may spread to the minds of others, but does that make it true or right? Or, is it simply a selfish manifestations, instigated by someone who cannot see beyond their malignant self-doubt and/or self-hatred.

Hurt, especially the cowardly act of hurting from afar, is always unleash by someone who does not possess a sense of universal awareness. They do not hold empathy. Because, if they did, they would not stoop to the level of this style of attack. Think about that statement…

In life, there are really two levels of mindfulness: there is the selfish and the Self-Based, from which hurt and hatred is unleashed, then, there is that of caring. Here, empathy is born. This is where helping, not hurting emulates from. This is the home of the God-Mind. Where do you dwell?

You know, some people hurt, and they want to attach their name to that hurt. They want to get credit, fame, money, ego-stroking, or whatever else from unleashing the pain. Many/most do it from some hidden realm, however, where they can hurt but no retribution will find them. Those are the true cowards.

This being said, an attack, no matter from where it is launched, is still an attack. What do attacks lead to? We all know the answer to that: hurt, pain, counterstrikes, and war.

There’s this great line delivered by Mickey Rourke to William Hurt in the movie, Body Heat, “Hey now, I want to ask you something. Are you listening to me, asshole? Because, I like you. I got a serious question for you: What the fuck are you doing? This is not shit for you to be messin’ with. Are you ready to hear something? I want you to see if this sounds familiar: any time you try a decent crime, you got fifty ways you’re gonna fuck up. If you think of twenty-five of them, then you’re a genius - and you ain’t no genius. You remember who told me that?”

Many attackers, especially those who attack from afar, believe they can get away with it. They do it because they believe they can get aways with it. They do it just because they can get it done and hid their face and their name in the process. But, even on realms like the internet, finding out who did what, if you have the skillset, is pretty easy. Then what?

Now, I can say, attacking anyone, for some self-motivate reason, is wrong. We all know that. We all know that especially when we are on the receiving end. Then it’s all, “Boo Hoo. Why me?” But, what about when you’re doing it? Who are you thinking of? Who are you caring about? Who are you feeling for?

I can talk about deflection. I can speak about the proper techniques for the counterattack, as I have done in so many articles on the martial art. But, what life ultimately comes down to is you being the better person. You being the one who does no unleashing of pain. Can you be that person? Can you be that strong? Can you be the beacon of light in the sea of darkness? Or, can you only be the person who allows their Lower Mind to control them?

We all know what hurt feels like. But remember, the hurtful are always the ones who are ultimately looked down upon, no matter how much they hide their unleashing of their attack. The helpful are always the ones who become universally loved. Who do you want to be? The person who hurts or the person who helps?

Hurt never equals help. Remember that.

 

Copyright © 2023—All Rights Reserved

 

Scott Shaw.com

Scott Shaw Hapkido Taekwondo International 

The Martial Arts By Scott Shaw

 

By Scott Shaw

 

As someone who has been involved with the martial arts for virtually my entire life, I can say with authority that if someone desires to learn the techniques, anyone can make the martial arts a part of their life. But, as in all other elements of life, you must do what you do consciously. You must think about what you are doing and why you are doing it. Or, you may muddy-up the waters for others.

            My father was a black belt who earned his rank during his service in the military during World War II. My uncle was a professional boxer prior to World War II. Me, I began formally studying when I was six years old. That was almost sixty years ago. So, the refined fighting arts have been a part my entire life.

            I am not saying that myself or anyone else who studies the martial arts, for however long, will be the perfect technician of all techniques. But, that is what I consider mastery; that is the ultimate statement—knowing what you can do and then focusing on that, and doing it well.

            Something that I find amusing is that since the dawning of the age of the internet, there has been a certain group of nameless/faceless people who feel that they have the ability and the right to cast judgment on martial art styles and other martial artists; attempting to either give them props and/or discredit them, and then spread their thoughts to the masses. The problem is, who are these people who are casting judgment? And, what gives them the right and the privilege to judge anyone?

            In life, we are all drawn to who and what we are drawn to. We like what we like, and we dislike what we dislike. But, most of these ideologies are based upon social programming, not upon fact. This is a subject that I have addressed in so many of my articles and books.

            The problem with the martial arts, and the fighting arts in general, is that they are based upon the concept of conquest—of who can beat whom. But, this beating, (or winning), is no longer solely based upon physical prowess, as it may have been in centuries gone past. Instead, in this modern age, it is based upon who said what; based upon what lies, preconceived impressions, and misrepresentation they use to present their case.

            For this reason, martial art websites and discussion groups have popped up, spewing all kind of falsities and non-facts about martial artist and martial art styles in general. Instead of relying upon facts and the truth, all they disseminate are preconceived opinions.

            I guess I should write, OPINIONS in capital letter. Why? Because if you are judging the techniques and the ideologies of others, that means that you no longer have anything to learn. If you have nothing more to learn, that means that you are an absolute master. Are you?

            Think about this for a moment before you finalize any judgment on a martial art style or a martial artist. Think about who you are, what you have learned, how long you have been doing it, and if you possess the right, through time and through trail, to judge anyone.

            Remember, the martial arts are an art. You need to think about them like an art form. You may like a certain style of art; you may dislike another style of art, but, in either case, that does not mean that it is not art. You may like a certain style of music, you may dislike another, but that does not mean that it is not music.

            Your judgment is nothing more than your opinion. Is your opinion ever a fact?

            If you are judging anyone, that means that you believe you are better and more accomplished than they are. Are you? If you are thinking, speaking, or writing about them, doesn’t that mean that you have elevated them into a superior position than you?

            The true artist, the true marital artist, never judges anyone. They allow each person to be the best expression of their understanding of their own reality.

 

Copyright © 2011—All Rights Reserved

 

Scott Shaw.com

Scott Shaw Hapkido Taekwondo International 

Understanding the Foundational Basis of the Martial Arts By Scott Shaw

 

By Scott Shaw

            Many people identify the martial arts with as solely a method of hand-to-hand combat. They are, however, much more than that. The martial arts are, in fact, a means for the practitioner to raise their physical and mental consciousness to a new level of refined universal understanding. Though based in physical techniques and understandings of combat

            Just as when one begins to study the martial arts, they are taught the basic techniques, so too must the individual who wishes to take the next step in the martial artist learn that there are more to the martial than simply physical techniques.

            When the non-practitioner hears of the martial arts, commonly one of two images is brought to mind: either that of the martial arts master effortlessly throwing his or her opponent across the room and delivering high flying kicks through the air, or the refined monk who sits deeply in meditation high atop a mountain—using his martial arts only when confronted by the most severe form of evil.  Though these images have come to define the martial arts, they are, in fact, quite far from reality.

            To begin to comprehend the essence of the martial arts we must first understand that these ancient systems of self-defense were borne in a period of history when the need for an individual to possess refined methods of hand-to-hand combat were essential to battle off the continued onslaught of invaders who were willing to take the wanted by whatever means necessary. From these ancient societies came a long period of ongoing confrontation and battles which attempted to define which army, which system of self-defense, and even which student was the best.

            Some may argue that it is no different today. One must be able to protect themselves in the violent world we live in. As such, studying the martial arts is, “A must.”

            Commonly, if a martial artist makes this statement, it will soon be followed up by, “You really need to study my style of martial arts.  It is better than all the others.” Or. “What! You go to that school. That teacher knows nothing.”

            Certainly, the Hong Kong Kung Fu movies have come to optimize this style of competitive mindset which flourishes within the martial arts. To watch one of these movies the story commonly unfolds with the student initially defending his master. He then is commonly put the test, loses his first fight, only to retrain, battle through an untold number of combatants, finally and rise to the level of the ultimate winner.

            Though these movies are oftentimes fun to watch, and they do give us a unique insight into the politics which dominate the martial arts of yesterday and today, they are also ideally descriptive of the way not to live your life as a martial artist.  For if you live your life at a level of conflict—criticizing and challenging others—you will forever be dominated by a life defined by battle, be it verbal or physical.  This only leads to a life completely void of any peace or tranquility.

            Many a martial artists will at this point state, “But, violence and confrontation is what the martial arts are based upon.”

            It may be true that the martial arts rose from the realms of conflict. This does not need to be their final criteria, however.

            From the martial arts one has the potential to master physical and mental techniques which will raise their body and mind to a level never experienced by the average individual.  Though this potential exists, in the modern era we still find many a martial artist holding onto the confrontational mindset which defined the early development of these ancient forms of warfare. This is optimized by the practitioner who believes their system is the best system of self-defense, their instructor is the only true instructor, and their organization the only association worthy of governing anything.

            If you live your life at this singular level of one-pointed, non-explorative existence, you will never be allowed to experience the understanding which another teacher or system may possess.  You simply close yourself within self-imposed walls, thinking that you are already in an environment where you possess everything you need to know.

            One of the main reasons this commonly occurs in the modern martial arts is that, unfortunately, at the root of many people being drawn to the martial arts is insecurity. Insecurity, due to the fact of living in an aggressive, often times, violent society and needing a method to protect one’s self. Insecurity based in undefined feelings that one’s unworthiness. Thus, they are sent down the path of desiring to defeat others and prove their worthiness by any means possible. Insecurity based in low self-esteem developed by any number of physical, psychological, or emotional occurrences.

            Though virtually every person who is drawn to the martial arts based in insecurity will never admit it, this insecurity comes to be the defining element of their time spent in the martial arts—be a month, a year, or a lifetime. With this as a basis, they are lost to the world of attempting to make themselves more by criticizing, berating, and attempting to defeat others.

            Though insecurity is commonly a bases for an individual’s initially involvement in the martial arts. It does not have to be an end point.

            The martial arts where initially formulate and refined in Asia. Hand-in-hand with these systems of self-defense was associated a deep sense of spirituality—based predominately in the philosophic schools of Taoism and Buddhism. With this as a formulating bases, the refined understanding possessed by these schools of thought gave way for the martial artists to develop a new interpretation of the self, the world, nature, the universe, and one’s interaction with all of these elements.

            This is not to say that one must embrace Taoism or Buddhism if they wish to elevate their understanding of the martial arts to a more refined level.  It is simply meant that one does not need to be bound by the very animalistic levels of insecurity and competition which many practitioners of the martial arts commonly embrace.

            To begin to raise your understanding of the martial arts you must initially understand, that, yes, physical training and even physical competition are a part of the martial arts. But, it is how you, the individual, interprets this training which causes you to view the martial arts either simply as a pathway to physical domination over others or a means to lead your body and mind to a new more refined understanding of self, life, and the universe.

            This being stated, a teacher can demonstrate to you how to kick, how to punch, or how to throw an opponent. It is you, however, who must ultimately practice, come to develop, and hopefully someday master these physical techniques. This is also the case with how you choose to interact with individuals and the world around you.

            You can see the world as confrontational. Or, you can see each situation, each obstacle you encounter as a means for you to become a more whole and refined martial artists and individual.

            Simply because an individual comes up to you and instigate a physical or verbal confrontation does not mean that you are obligated to take part in it.  You have the choice; you can walk away.  If they say something negative about you, so what.  Simply realize the motivating factor for their statement and then you will not be dominated by their insecure need for domination.

            It is you who must choose to step beyond the controlling hands of small mindedness and move onto whole mindedness—making not only yourself but the entire world a better place through your practice of the martial arts.

 

Copyright © 1992—All Rights Reserved

 Scott Shaw.com

 Scott Shaw Hapkido Taekwondo International