Know Yourself, Know Enemy.

1. 'Know Yourself, Know Enemy'.

It's a key to victory - either in a 1-on-1 fight(s) or between larger forces.

This wisdom was used to win in conflicts between armies, many times in history.

Knowing oneself is more important than knowing one's enemy - but knowing enemy is also a very important factor to win.

In this article, however - we'll focus on 1-on-1 fights.


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It's important to understand when and how to use which subpath, among ones listed below:


2. 'Know the Arts, Know the Ways'.

Certain Martial Art styles have advantage(s) and disadvantage(s) against other Martial Art styles.
One's training should include this knowledge both during planning phase, as well as in training's execution.


3. 'Know the Team, Know Synergy'.

Team might involve teachers, sparring partners, dietician, etc.
Synergic team is more than sum of it's parts.


4. 'Know the Risks, Know Solutions'.

One should work both on strongest point of one's Martial Arts, but also on weakest ones.
Also, one should pay attention to one's team, their strong/weak qualities.

Risks can be managed, brainstormed ... and proper training/weapons can be attempted to address these.
Worst Risks - one's weakest points - should be addressed first, and the most seriously.


5. 'Know the Costs, Know the Time'.

Weapons can be expensive, training as well. Hiring training assistants and teachers, renting a training place, buying punching bags, ... - everything costs.

The most often it's the most cost-efficient to just join a particular Martial Arts School, who has most of these costs already covered. The choice of school/teacher should depend both on one's training needs and on school's training offers.

One's time is precious as well, can be considered as part of costs needed to pay for a succesful training.

One should estimate how much of one's time he/she can give certain part(s) of one's training, then plan training accordingly. Same with equipment as weapons, training place, punching bags, etc.


6. 'Know the Ego, Know the Mind'.

Martial Artists sometimes meditate.
Martial Artists sometimes transcend, surpass themselves.

.. i've heard that highly skilled Martial Artists, who have body and mind conditioned for combat - see fights similar to a game of chess. They observe enemy, speak mantras in mind ... and their trained body reacts quickly and precisely to mantras, without much of time-consuming thinking or decisions.

Buddhists sometimes practice Martial Arts as a way to surpass their own Egos. They fight to protect physically-combat-weak friends, and sometimes help to Protect important Teachers. Surpassing one's Ego, achieving Liberation, involves forgoing one's glory and just doing it for others.


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There's also 'false path':

7. 'Know the Money, Know the Way'.

It's a way of traitors, taking bribes.

Tantodo.

Why Tantodo?

... for me it is the most important practice of all of Martial Arts, because Mahakala - Buddhist Protector - uses Knife. Knife as the symbol for cutting everything that hinders development.


... i've focused on Mahakala Practice since many years.

... i try to see Mahakala as Buddha, to get blessings & lessons as from Buddha.


Tanto is name for Japanese Knife.

Jutsu is combat method.
Do is the Way.

In Martial Arts, do always includes jutsu.

-=- Holding my Tanto in my hand to show how long it is (it's long). -=-


One should never underestimate length advantage when fighting with such weapons ... i've trained tantojutsu martial art for about a month so i know how big advantage it is. (really scary advantage).


Sheathed.

-=- Let's hope that I won't need to use it in real fight. -=-


P.S. I think that women excel in knife-fighting, have many advantages over men in this type of combat. To train with someone better is a privilege as well - better lessons, faster development.

Let's not Glorify Weapons.

What is purpose of learning Martial Arts?

1. For Health,
2. For Slim Silhouette.
3. For Protection.
4. For being a better person than a day before training.

Where's border between Protection & Arms Race, however?

... i think Protection should be constrained within:
1. Minimum Force Approach,
2. Wisdom,
3. Compassion.

A wise friend, Nerialka on DeviantART - introduced me to a Song, many years ago.
... a Sarcastic, French Song about Glorifying Weapons.





... Martial Arts are also weapons, i think - different, harsher laws apply to those who abuse
Martial Arts - thankfully, i think.

Purpose.

What's goal of Martial Arts?

I think that the purpose of Martial Arts practice is to be better person than one was day before.

I think that thinking is also training and practice of Martial Arts. Not only physical exercises.


... but wise training is also worthwhile.


I think that one should train regularly, without time-gaps, if one wants to train wisely.

Starting from beginning now and then is very discouraging, one should keep form & shape to stay motivated.


Wish for Love.

Is it possible for me to become nice, gentle, well-mannered, well-behaved, nice-looking,
nice-smelling, ... human again?

... is it possible for me to be as a buddhist woman i Love wants/needs/wishes me to be?

... is it possible for me to meet her and talk with her after i am 'humanized' that way?


At young age, i've trained ... focused on real combat & meditation ... assuming that sooner or later, i'll be nice looking, as martial artists on films are.


... nothing happens without cause, however ... i've assumed too much.


I prioritize love & gentleness over brutality ... so i won't practice martial arts combat if it endangers my higher priorities.


... i feel i owe going to martial arts clubs i've trained in in past, to appear there and exchange lessons.


... i do not need to showoff, however ... i do not want to endanger love.

... i think that being gentle, being nice, being compassionate & wise is the way to be truly worthy of love.

... and i wish for that.