I met a woman at the gym I was working out last weekend. We were talking and getting to know each other. Before we met, she was running on the treadmill. I guess she was warming up. Like me, her father is Haitian but she was born in America. As you all know, I was born in New York. Then she notice that I was punching the mats on the wall. She asked me if I practice Martial Marts. I told her yes I do but I am practicing online. The conversation was not dramatic but there was some disagreements between us:
The girl: Maybe you could be a trainer at the gym so you could teach some self-defense.
Me: I could but I would teach just anybody how to fight!
The girl: Why not?
Me: Because it is important to know who you teach how to fight. You do not know how the person is going to use these deadly techniques. Is the person responsible? Is he/she a bully? You do not know.
The girl: Everybody is responsible for their actions. You are not responsible for the students' actions!
Me: Yes I am not, but the world is too violent already so it is better to teach the mature minded than the immature.
The girl: Yeah whatever.
Yeah whatever huh? It sounds like she did not care about my idea of the Martial Arts at all; but it is alright. I cannot push anyone to do so. How long have we been doing that in the martial arts? How many people are teaching on the internet for free without even questioning who is learning from them? We need to stop commercializing these techniques. In games, there is winning and losing but in fighting it is never about that. Techniques are not toys! You can easily disable anybody with them. If you guys think I am bullshitting, ask Bruce and see what he tells you. "The meaning of 'martial' is 'warlike,'; we are not in a game; it's your life or his. And since you only have one life, take care of it the best you can."(Bruce Lee). See? Shi zu and I are not the only people who sees martial arts that way. Notice he said take care of your life the best you can. Is he only talking about combat? What does it really mean to take care of your life? Your life is not just your body but your mind and spirit as well. As a result, my brothers and sisters in FMK, let us live life as a whole. Let us not prostitute the techniques for our personal gain. Let us be healthy body, mind and spirit. Let us not make the same mistakes over and over again because if we do, we will give people reason to kill each other in the streets. There will be even worst events than the Marathon bombing in Boston. Therefore, learn from our mistakes in the past so we do not repeat them again.
I have tried very hard not to tell many people I am studying with FMK. Few people understand the purpose, and so many people are so dissatisfied with my explanation of no-style/artistry.
ReplyDeleteBut, like you said, we cannot force anyone to come around. We can be judicious about whom we tell. Good article, thank you!
Thanks. Few people understand the meaning of no-style. That is why there will be few Martial Artists. I tried hard to hide that I am practicing under FMK as well but I guess it's easier said than done. What's your Chinese name?
DeleteGreat post Kang! "Martial Marts" cracked me up LOL. Usually the typo mistake is Marital Arts, but Martial Marts I think is better!
ReplyDeleteLOL. Oh my God, I did not even notice that mistake! Lol.
DeleteI really like how you are representing the Martial Arts the way it should be & at least trying to educate others on the responsibilities involved with teaching lethal techniques of combat.
ReplyDeleteThanks. I am trying but few people will understand the responsibilities involved with the combative techniques. After all, most people are irresponsible so we cannot expect them to understand.
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