Martial Spirit

**Phil Anderson** · 01-14-2011, 19:16

Curious on others thoughts. I recently had a falling out of sorts with a good friend and Sensei. When we finally had a chance to talk things out it seemed it was our differences in beliefs on the spirit of martial arts. His general comment was that we should develop our inner spirit to the point of a sort of religious enlightenment or spiritual achievement, this showed in the way he was doing and teaching techniques. I on the other hand believe that the spirit of martial arts is the will to survive, this was evident from the onset and showed in battles and in self defense when there was no other options but to fight to survive. I tend to do my techniques with intent from start to finish realizing that counter attacks and continued attacks are a reality if the confrontation does not end due to lack of focus or poor technique. I am not naive enough to believe you will always come out on top but you can always cause enough damage to an attacker so you can survive.

Your thought are welcome

**rainesr** · 01-14-2011, 20:43

I generally agree. The martial arts are a tool for survival, nothing more. I do not associate anything spiritual or religious with the MA. That being said I do believe that I received as much social training as physical. I gained the confidence, humbleness, and awareness to better avoid fighting, so I suppose it could be argued that at some level there can be a sort of "enlightenment" bestowed to students.

I was taught that you should always complete a technique as if it would end the fight, but since that may not happen another technique should already be flying, and so on until your opponent is disabled. I believe that if you do not fight like this you will lose against someone who has real intent to hurt you.

~Rob

**RickMatz** · 01-16-2011, 18:52

I think the difference of opinion is the difference between budo and bujutsu.

**Mark Jordan** · 01-17-2011, 19:54

You're both wrong! Everyone knows that the spirit of the martial arts is to fight in the UFC and become famous and win lots of money! All kidding aside, you really are both wrong. Then again, you're both right! Let me explain…

Everyone has their own reasons for training in martial arts, and should be allowed to pursue their own goals and dreams. If your friend/sensei wants to seek spiritual enlightenment through violence, well, he should be able to do so. All I can say is, "Good luck with that." But, if that isn't YOUR goal, he has no right to impose his beliefs on you. Maybe someday your goals and beliefs may change. I know mine have changed over the years, but it wasn't because someone MADE me do it. I came to my conclusions all on my own.

In the meantime, you must respect his beliefs, but don't let anyone tell you your reason for training is the wrong reason. If it's what keeps you going, then it's the right reason FOR YOU. Arguing over it won't solve anything. After all, isn't the real spirit of the martial arts all about respect for other peoples' beliefs?

**RickMatz** · 01-17-2011, 20:14

Originally Posted by Mark Jordan

You're both wrong! Everyone knows that the spirit of the martial arts is to fight in the UFC and become famous and win lots of money! All kidding aside, you really are both wrong. Then again, you're both right! Let me explain…

Everyone has their own reasons for training in martial arts, and should be allowed to pursue their own goals and dreams. If your friend/sensei wants to seek spiritual enlightenment through violence, well, he should be able to do so. All I can say is, "Good luck with that." But, if that isn't YOUR goal, he has no right to impose his beliefs on you. Maybe someday your goals and beliefs may change. I know mine have changed over the years, but it wasn't because someone MADE me do it. I came to my conclusions all on my own.

In the meantime, you must respect his beliefs, but don't let anyone tell you your reason for training is the wrong reason. If it's what keeps you going, then it's the right reason FOR YOU. Arguing over it won't solve anything. After all, isn't the real spirit of the martial arts all about respect for other peoples' beliefs?

Don't forget the groupies, either!

Uh, there ARE groupies; aren't there?