The Future of Your Martial Arts - Part 1

The subject has always been a relevant source of discussion, especially since mankind has always had to find ways of defending life, limb and love. Technology creates the method for change. Change allows for technologies to advance. People continue to grow and learn, and so change occurs and technologies adapt for relevance. It holds true in martial arts and in life, in general.

When it comes to fighting, we are either starting it or hoping to end it. No matter the ebbs or even the rhythms of battle, we all aim to come away with as much life as we can hold onto. The wiser of us aim to interact with as little sustained violence as possible. There are several factors, but the most obvious factors include the nature of life being to mature. We get older, in other words. Wisdom should accompany that, but it does not always do so at a pace we can appreciate (in others, most often.) Either way, we all want to finish such interactions, intact.

As we mature, our understanding of the process of fighting changes. As we mature in the arts, in particular, our understanding changes according to what we are able to do. If we are suffering from a life of heavy burdens with the reciprocal badges that come of it (backaches, arthritis, etc.), we quickly begin to understand what adaptation means, internally.

I am privileged to have spent some time conversing with elderly martial artists, over the years, and prior to my own actual progression into becoming a more mature martial artist. I am not quite an elder, yet (to the children, I am probably considered ancient), but I took the wisdom I was given to heart.

The seniors I speak of all had certain things in common. Namely: 1. they all had been practicing and/or teaching martial arts for many years, 2. They had all reached a certain level in their training and understanding of the validity of martial arts, 3. They all appreciated that at some point the physicality would no longer be an advantage they could count on, and 4. They all understood that wisdom would be the best weapon in a fight.

This in mind, I wanted to discuss where we are and where our arts should be heading to. In my next blog (as part of this subject entry), I will go a little further with my thoughts on how I think the martial arts will be proliferated in the near future.

FLOWING BRONZE - About Legacy

I wanted to take a moment to update these blogs, for the benefit of both my current student body and those to come. It is important, especially during this time of change in structure and in appreciation of the legacy that we as martial artists have taken on as torch-bearers of.

For over 30 years, I have upheld the banner and shouldered the task of caretaker for the martial arts mission set forth by the original and core membership of the Alliance of Martial Arts (AOM) with a degree of pride and genuine love for the arts. It has not been easy, most times, and I was always glad to find an audience with one or two of my brethren to reminisce or consider potential courses of action toward the mission's success.

There came a time, after all was said and done, when it was determined that perhaps we had run the course of our group's purpose and that we should consider an alternate goal or mission. To my mind, I had done my part in achieving that mission by taking several opportunities to go into the community and teach impoverished youths. The primary space in which we effectively operated was in after school programs, which occurred over the course of 4 years. I continued to teach other students, as well. To what degree my brethren also did these things was never in question, but it was clear that our focus (as a whole) was no longer moving us all in the same direction.

As the Alliance of Martial Arts comes to a course alignment, it leaves in its wake a great success story about several less fortunate youths who conquered the streets and provided a means to benefit other youth who were likewise borne into poverty. It is inspirational, to say the least. Although the successes were never astronomical, they were all meaningful. It is this which prompted a new level of growth. As for martial arts legacy, that was the end of it.

As Chief Instructor of our legacy art, Kung Ju, I continued to develop the art into a modern format that could actually be passed down and duplicated as we uplift the community. The regimented format became known as Kung Ju Ch'uan Fa, translated Gentle Effort Fist Method. During the year 2016, I made a concerted effort to bring all students at all levels into a core training module for the sake of unifying the art form and its proponents. That would have ensured that any student taught by any instructor in our lineage would at least have a common basis and understanding of what makes Kung Ju relevant.

To that end, Flowing Bronze Martial Arts Society (considered an AOM Legacy Group) will focus its mission on factors involving the proliferation and training of our martial arts as it benefits our original target and furthers the original mission, in that regard.  The following is the official statement regarding Flowing Bronze Martial Arts Society.

"When the initial goals of AOM was deemed unanimously satisfied and/or moot amongst core members, it ceased to serve an allied mission. The martial arts legacy was carried on largely by Sensei Carl Eggerson, who has chronicled and developed Kung Ju beyond its initial format into a regimented training format called "Kung Ju Ch'uan Fa" (Gentle Effort Fist Method.)

While core members may still teach "Kung Ju" in some unregimented form or other, the current school (FBMAS) teaches the uniform system that may fulfill the original spirit of what Kung Ju should be in order to proliferate it. That system is now known officially as "Kung Ju Ch'uan Fa."

Violence - or How To Survive in a Violent World - Part C (Apr. 2013)

BLOG #08c -  Violence - The Fallout

Just a few words, following up on last week's blog, regarding the fallout of violence:

"LAST RESORT

 If, as it does happen, you see that there is no way around it,  sometimes you have to become the violence.  This has ramifications, legally, spiritually and psychologically…"  

VICTIMIZATION

Violence creates victims which may perpetuate more victims and effectively produce more victims.  

In our society, we often see generations of pain passed down from parent to child, and it usually ends up being systematically spread to create subcultures of crime and violence.  Ask yourself:  What is the likelihood that a violent criminal will have children who are happy during their childhood?  Even if they make it to adulthood without full exposure to their family's violence, they are pretty likely to get some residual effect of association WITH the violence perpetuated.  I won't elaborate on any specific violent criminal, but let us just agree that if Hannibal Lecter had a son, people would probably associate the son to the father's activities, to some degree.  He might, as a result, receive ridicule and torment from peers.  Sooner or later, he may act out, violently.  

These days, we can look at celebrities's lives and violence, as the media parades it into mainstream viewing.  How many of them had acts perpetrated against them, and are living them out, in a very visible (well-funded, thanks to you and me) way?  Do you think that the young minds (also watching) are not effected, perhaps even idolizing some of the violent acts publicized?  Make no mistake about it:  those young minds are victims, after the fact.  And how many of them end up locked up or dead trying to emulate the acts or what they were led to believe were the acts of violence masquerading as "being a real man, woman, thug, etc..?  Don't get me wrong:  This is not a knock against any particular celebrity or performer.  This is just the most visible example I could find in common society.     

LEGALITIES   

I have already mentioned the continually-growing number of youths being locked up and killed while acting out the violence passed down.  That is just one level of the legal fallout of violence.  

Even those who would protect themselves (or the weak who cannot) are faced with the distinct possibility of having to fight in court, even after having fought for their lives.   It is important, therefore, that we do not "go overboard" in our zeal to be rid of an attacker.

Of course, when it comes down to you or them dying, then legal troubles take a far corner in the back of the room.  After all, it doesn't make sense to die, unnecessarily, just to avoid having to deal with our "Just Us" system.  That would be like… destroying your mailbox just to avoid having to get bills.

PSYCHOLOGICAL WELFARE

People who have done violent deeds toward others are often tortured souls.  In protecting our self, we have to be aware and disciplined enough to do only as much as is necessary to get clear of danger.  This kind of self-control serves us from a legal position, as well as from the psychological standpoint.  

After having avoided some of the violence around our world, and when faced with such situations which cause us to have need of the tools of self-protection, we are left with the need for compassion and appreciation for life to keep us from falling into the darker parts of our worst selves.  

I will end this blog with a little story:

When I was growing up, there was a kid I knew, very well, and we grew up and apart.  While in high school, he was pressured into joining a violent gang, which was not out-of-the-norm, unless you liked getting beat by groups of violent kids.  Well, he joined, and after awhile, he found that one of his new peers was still putting unfair pressure on him, so he decided to join the rival gang, as well.  It did not last for very long, because although he was able to get some moves done to protect himself against the one assailant, he now found himself in a crossfire between the two gangs… with nowhere to run!  

He managed to survive, with a little help from some young "neutral" martial arts masters-in-the-making, and their mission became clear, as a result.  And that is why part of my mission is to provide martial arts training and guidance to youths who want to avoid becoming powerless victims of inner city violence, because the truth is:  there is no power in violence.  People who rely on violence are usually fighting for control of something that they have no hope of actually controlling, and it will always end up the same:  pointless.

Violence - or How To Survive in a Violent World - Part B (Apr., 2013)

BLOG #08b -  Violence -   Handling It

As I suggested in last week's blog, many of us often find ourselves in places where we simply need to be, and many of those places expose us to the overt possibility of encountering violence, either toward us or around us.  

You have done your best to avoid being in the "wrong place, wrong time" scenario.  You have eliminated distractions and even varied your routes and schedules, where possible.  And you have taking great pains to organize your purse and/or wallet, to minimize your fumble time while in "the zone."  What more can you do if all that is done, and something still comes your way?

Today, here are just a few tips on how to "handle it" when violence visits.

1.  CALM DOWN

In any stressful situation, humankind tends to revert to animal instincts.  That is to say:  we are likely to freeze up, which is just the mind being unable to react out of logic, so that it reacts out of fearfulness.  The fear is our friend, as it does allow us to get out of harm's way, in many instances.  But sometimes, we cannot avoid the onslaught of violence.  

2.  RESOLVE TO SURVIVE

I can remember when I was about 12 years old, and I nearly drowned (literally):  I kept thrashing about, dropping to the bottom of the circle pool (which was about 1 foot deeper than I was tall), and kicking back to the surface about 1.5-2 minutes for air.  I can remember watching so many cartoons that told me that "you only go underneath the surface 3 times, then you are officially DROWNED."  I broke that myth on THAT day by a count of 4 or 5, and then….  believe it or not, I was rescued…   (cue the rimshot..)  Well, my point is this:   If you could imagine yourself in my situation, and capture that sense of urgency and refusal to die, then apply it in a violent situation, you would survive.  Your mind will make a way, and once you know that, the proper method of your escape will likely present itself.

3.  BASIC SELF-DEFENSE  

This is not about technique… or is it?   Most people who begin learning martial arts do not use technique, as a first instinct, in a self-defense situation.  If they have grasped the idea of "Calming Down", first, then they are more likely to begin using techniques learned.  If they have NOT, then the "Survival Instinct" will come into play, but that may also bring about some recklessness.  The benefit of martial arts training under a qualified instructor is that he or she will ensure that you are "properly wired" for self-protection.

4.  PRESERVATION OF LIFE (Self-Preservation, etc.)

Another of the gems my father passed onto me:  Learn to Protect yourself so that you may be able to protect those you love.  Although we can never be prepared at all times for all things, it is of KEY import that we open ourselves to the idea that the handling of violence may call upon us to "do nothing" in a situation.  This is usually the case when there are others about us who would be victims because of our decision to react agains an assailant.  Sometimes, we have to sit back and observe until we are in position to deal with the danger on terms that we can live with. 

5.  LAST RESORT

 If, as it does happen, you see that there is no way around it,  sometimes you have to become the violence.  This has ramifications, legally, spiritually and psychologically, and I will try to touch on a few of them, in next week's blog.

Well, there you have it.  In a violent world (which is nothing new), we need to be able to flow in peace.  You start by trying to avoid it, because violence is never an act of love.  (That's another topic, soon!).  If you have to deal with violence, handle it as you would a hot potato:  don't allow yourself to firmly "accept" it while it may yet hurt you;  Recognize it is what it is: 'hot'; preserve its worth by not just letting it hit the floor and ruining the meal; and after all is said and done, be prepared to mash it, if called for.

Hmmm.. Anyone else got a hankerin' for some mashed potatoes?   I'll catch you, later… 

(Next week:  Violence:  The fallout..)

Violence - or How To Survive in a Violent World - Part A (Apr., 2013)

BLOG #08a -  Violence -   Avoiding It

So, I moved back to Chicago during the Summer of 2011, and one of the first things I was warned about was "street violence" in one area or another.  The funny thing is:  one of the first things I was ever made aware of (as a youth growing up in Chicago) was "street violence."

Of course, over the years, the mindset behind common violence has not changed much.  It just seems that "the matrix" has everyone in a tiff about the economy, and opportunists take advantage of the media to create and/or perpetuate the mentality amongst the people.  So, what is the solution?  How can we prevent violence from darkening our doorsteps, or from overshadowing our peace-of-mind?  

I, recently, taught an introductory self-defense class for a women's group, and I posed a question to them:   

How many of you can dodge a bullet?

As you might expect, the resounding answer among them was: "None of us can dodge a bullet."

I countered with a simple insight, which I am sure you can get behind:

If you have avoided putting yourself in a situation where violence might have been the likely outcome, then you have (after a manner) effectively "dodged a bullet or two" during the course of your life.  After they opened themselves to this perspective outside the normal way of thinking, I knew their minds were ready for the lesson of the evening.  So, what would have been YOUR answer?  Probably the same, right?

Well, the point being made was that the choices you make to go into certain situations or environments does carry a certain "weight" in your efforts to stay safe and defend yourself, even in this violent world of ours.  

As food for thought, here are a few simple tips which will help you to avoid being caught up or victimized:

1.  Minimize or eliminate whatever distractions you are allowing to divide your awareness of your surroundings.   For instance, don't text while you are alone and unprotected from sudden approaches.  Also, turn off the mp3 player so that you can hear what is happening around you.

2.  When you are in a preparing to "go out" into the public, know where everything you need is located on your person.  If you are caught off guard in a dangerous situation, you may not have the chance to perform a body-cavity search on yourself for a weapon, keys, etc.

3.  Prepare yourself and minimize your exposure to violent acts.  For example:  If your wallet has everything in it, but you only need a five dollar bill, put the five dollars somewhere easily reached, and the wallet somewhere secure.  

4.  This one was taught to me by my father, who was pretty street savvy (probably out of necessity, living on Chicago's Eastside:     VARY YOUR ROUTE.   If you do something, regularly, try to create "purposeful variance" in your route, schedule, pace and everything else you can to keep any predators from easily planning an assault.

These are just a few things that may help you to avoid unnecessary risks of violence in your daily life.  Do yourself a favor and think of some other things that can possibly help keep you and your loved ones out of harm's way.   

It is true that sometimes we (or our youths, here in Chicago and other inner city communities) often find ourselves in places that we have to be, and many of those places expose us to elements that would express their violence, either toward us or around us.  We will discuss that in our next blog session.

Building Your Support System - (Mar., 2013)

BLOG #07 - Your Support System

We have all been there, before:  Trying to get something done, perhaps a major undertaking, and we run out of steam or resources to complete it.  The task then lingers until we either make another fateful attempt, on our own, or the goal just dies, on the spot.  It is a very common occurrence, and may just be a signal that something is "not for you to accomplish."  One thing is universally true:  not many things can be successfully and fully done without some level or form of support from a party outside of oneself.  

Who have you counted on to achieve some level of success (even if that success is just to survive until you are able to fully realize your goal)?  Who have you been a supporter of?  When I say "support", I am not limiting the term to mean a financial backer, a counselor, or even a cheerleader.  I am speaking of ANY type of assistance you receive, whether mental, physical or spiritual.  

Sometimes, this supporter can come in the form of your teacher, who helps to reinforce certain ideals or information in such a way that builds you up from inside.  This is the case with spiritual or philosophical teachers.  In other instances, it may be the co-worker or peers that have concurrent tasks to be done, and your works jointly create efficacy that keeps you both employed.  Again, there is no limit implied, here.  

In a martial arts school setting, it may take the form of cooperative training drills, in which two or more students work thru a technique to build it into your individual muscle and physical memory.  On a higher level, the instructor's job is to support the growth of each student into his or her best performance and understanding.  This is usually done by making sure that the student learns to appreciate certain key elements, such as:  discipline, teamwork, respect and the curriculum of the particular art they are training to learn.

In each of these examples, we are given the chance to give and receive support.  In life, sometimes your own support can only be gained by supporting others.  This is the case in any business, because you are not going to be in business for long if you are not supporting someone else's comfort, happiness or lifestyle.  

Are you getting the theme, here?  

In a world where it seems people are so much "out for themselves", we keep finding the need and the place for "support" as a way of survival.  The problem is that most of us keep that limited perspective of what support really is.  We all need that occasional push to better ourselves, and that occasional pick-me-up that may come from people who see our lack or needs.  Likewise, I believe that most of us are mentally wired to help those who are the most helpless, in whatever environment we may currently live.  

If you look over your life, there are probably certain people who stand out as having influenced you in a very positive way.  What about the others who supported you, in whatever small way, as you grew into a better version of yourself (at whatever phase of your life?)  Giving credit where it is due, even if only in your own heart, actually creates a certain upswing in the deeper parts of your person.   

I challenge you to think about this, and write down all the people who supported you in whatever ways.  Then, give yourself some credit, as well:  write down all the ways you have supported others.  I promise that it will enrich you.

The next step is to acknowledge them, and develop a purposeful plan to maximize that support.  This will allow you to propel others as you accelerate the affects of their support to you.  

Support… It Keeps You UP At Life.

The Best Way To Learn - (Mar., 2013)

BLOG #06 - The Best Way To Learn (Teach)

When I was still a teenager, fresh in the martial arts, I can remember the first time one of my martial arts "senior brothers" told me to teach a particular young man some of the basics I had been taught.  I couldn't quite know how it would propel me, as a student.  After all, I was still a newbie, and I did not really understand what I had been learning beyond how it looked to me as I was performing my training.  Let's face it:  I was still a little awkward, and insecure about my form, so I wondered how I could actually help someone else without creating the same "bad form", in them.

The student did not last for very long (this is normal), and I have to admit that I did not see any improvement, within myself, but I did have other opportunities, after that.  Over the years, as this occurred, I started gaining a few things:   

1.  My self-confidence grew

2.  My ability to see my own errors began to expand

3.  My understanding of certain basic concepts deepened

4.  My technique knowledge was increased

In general life, we are all often given the opportunity to pass on knowledge and information, which is usually something that another has passed on to US.  In each instance, there is the same seed for self-improvement.  In fact, whatever it is that a person is able to give to another person MUST actually be in that person's hand, in order to actually "pass it" to the next.  Each hand that touches a thing affects it, whether in trajectory, temperature or just energetically.  Likewise, that interaction between the hand and the thing affects the hand, somehow.  It's just impossible for it NOT to.  Picture a relay race, of sorts, only not necessarily running with a baton.  The most important part is the actual passing of that object or information.

It's as stories handed down from generation to generation, in olden days:  The stories endured, but always found some additional coloring, due to the storyteller's experience of the story in his generation.  In each generation, the story's teller learned to "embody" the story, so that it might endure.  In most cases, there as a lesson within the story.  Would it not be reasonable to assume that lesson "took hold" within the storyteller, and may have even found its way into the mentality of that culture & generation?  I think so, and that goes to my point that the effect is usually mutual between the hand and the thing it touches.

Deeper still:  The adjustments we make as we are learning something new are usually subconscious, to a degree.  When we teach others something we have learned, we tap our own subconscious and relay it to the surface of our minds in various ways, until the recipient of that information has an "Aha!" moment, and gets the point.  Whether that moment resulting from that variety of ways comes quickly or through many iterations determines just how much energy you expend in that subconscious-to-conscious relay.  

As a final example, let's dig up an old chestnut:  "Teach a man to fish…":  

Think about it.  If you simply did a thing for someone, it does not take the same energy as it would to teach them to do it for themselves.  Sure, it may eliminate the stress, for the moment… but when they start to come back to you EACH TIME, to do that simple thing, it may become much more stressful for you.   If I were to frame this example with the martial arts, it would be like going in to fight off a bully FOR your child, rather than giving him the tools to fend off the assailant.  And from my personal experience with my own personal bullies, it is the tools that make all the difference.  The payoff?  You as the provider of the tools gain the peace of mind, and appreciate certain aspects of the lesson (interaction with the child) that will last a lifetime.

As for the chestnut:  There are teachers, and there are Great Teachers.  If teaching one man has benefits, can you imagine how much more one benefits by teaching many more?  Mastery is gained by such activity as the sharing of knowledge.

What would YOU master, in your lifetime?