GREETINGS TO SIFU FREDDIE LEE AND

ALL TODAI!

MAY ALL OF YOU KEEP IMPROVING

AS YOU HAVE BEEN.

IT IS EVIDENT YOU ARE 

BY THE ARTICLES POSTED.

AWESOME PERSONAL INSIGHTS

EVERYONE OF THEM.

I'M TALKING TO YOU!

HAVE A GOOD DAY - SIFU FREDDIE LEE AND 

ALL YOUR IMMEDIATE FAMILY.

BUDDHA'S BLESSINGS.

Dr. R.G. Rivera

預宗派佛教徒牧師 of

Martial Art or Craft?

Good Day All
I've been thinking of late about the correlation between Arts and Crafts. I was originally led to question the essential differences and similarities between these to closely related groups of practices when some people on this blog (of whom I've forgot) wrote about the Tao or Do and the Jitsu or Jutsu. As I currently interpret it, Tao/Do signifies Artfulness and Jitsu/Jutsu signify Craftsmanship. I am more familiar with the concept and practice of Martial Art and the teachings of Tao than I am with Jitsu or Craft. At first I didn't think Martial Crafts were very prominent until I looked a bit deeper into it. Then I realised that what I consider to be Martial Craft might be more commonly found in our societies than I initially realised. The purpose of this post is to hopefully help people understand the relationship between Martial Art and, the informally recognised Martial Craft. Before I go deeper into the topic, I feel it would be best to transcribe the lexical definitions to better understand the semantics of these two practices.
                                                                                                                                                                                            

"1   Art: the expression or application of human creative skill and imagination, typically in a visual form such as painting and sculpture, producing works to be appreciated primarily for their beauty or emotional power: the art of the Renaissance  |  great art is concerned with moral imperfections  |  she studied art in Paris.

* Works produced by human creative skill and imagination: his collection of modern art  |  an exhibition of Mexican Art  |  as modifier  :  an art critic.

* Creative activity resulting in the production of paintings, drawings or sculpture:  She's good at art.

2 (the arts) the various branches of creative activity such as painting, music, literature and dance: the visual arts:  in sing  |  the art of photography.

3 (arts) subjects of study primarily concerned with the process and products of creativity and social life such as languages, literature and history (as contrasted with scientific or technical subjects): the belief that sciences and arts are incompatible  |  the Faculty of arts.

4 a skill at doing a specific thing, typically one acquired through practice: the art of conversation."
                                                                                                                                

"1   Craft: an activity involving skill in making things by hand: the craft of bookbinding  |  pewter craft.

* (crafts) work or objects made by hand: the shop sells local crafts.  |  (as modifier craft)  :  a craft fair.

* skill in carrying out ones work: a player with plenty of craft.

* skill used in deceiving others: her cousin was not equal in guile and evasive craft.

* the members of a skilled profession.

* (the craft)  the brotherhood of Freemasons."

Definitions sourced from the New American Oxford Dictionary (on iPad).                                                                         

According to the definitions in this dictionary, art and craft are similar phenomena. If I were to summarise the relationship between art and craft, I would say that art is more about being self expressive, whereas craft is more so about practicality. To better illustrate this relationship, I've come up with a fictional scenario that I'll share. This requires a bit of imagination so try to visualise it in your head.

Case Study

Bob and Phil earn their incomes by doing city maintenance work. Recently, they were both asked to construct new footpaths on both sides of a street. They agreed to work on one side of the road each. Bob uses large concrete slabs to create his footpath section by section. His footpath is smooth and easy to walk on. Bob prides himself on creating elegant, smooth and practical footpaths. Phil decides to take a different approach. Phil uses smaller slabs of various materials. He wanted to create a footpath that is aesthetically pleasing unique in contrast to other, common, plainer footpaths (such as Bobs). Phil's footpath is designed in such a way, that the combination of how the slabs are shaped and the colour and tone of each section of the footpath for example, reflects how he feels about the cities physical environment and culture. Phil's footpath is just as easy and safe to walk on as Bobs one.

End of Case Study

To summarise this simply, they both produced practical, safe footpaths for the people of the city to enjoy. For Bob and Phill to get this far, a certain degree of skill and dedication was required. This is craft. Bob stopped there, but Phil took it further. In addition to being safe and practical, Phill saw opportunity to express himself. He designed the footpath so that it would be an illustration of his spiritual relationship with the city. This is art. Art most often builds on craft. A craftsman may have constructed a functional vase, and an artist may have painted it. Art and craft are a similar phenomenon and the line that differentiates the two is often blurry, partially due to it often being in different contexts. The martial practices are not an exception to this. Now we must apply this concept to our favourite practices of discussion - combative physical activities.

Martial Art today is marketed to us as stylistic products. The practice if it is commonly laid out in systematic formats. Someone might join a Aikido school for example. He/she will be told to follow a curriculum. Morihei Ueshiba (1883 - 1969) gathered and fine tuned the content of Aikido would have been very creative to formulate the expression. Therefore, Aikido was his created expression, his art. Generations later what is Aikido to the practitioner? Art or Craft? Allegedly the student will be learning practical skills for self defence. The practical application is the fundamental element of craft. The Aikido student will also be practicing the self defence in a very unique, stylistic way. This is because it is Morihei Ueshiba's expression. The practitioner is expressing an art, but is it true to his/her inner self? In most cases that I can think of, the answer is no. The practitioner is not expressing something from his/her inner self, he/she is expressing a style, someone else's expression. But he/she is still expressing, which is half of what produces pure art. The other half is the self, which is largely absent. So in a sense it is art, but not completely. Does this mean the Aikido practitioner is simply a craftsman? This is where the line between Martial Art and Craft becomes incredibly blurry. It is not entirely art, nor is it entirely craft. Because the practice of a system such as Aikido goes beyond being a practical skill set (craft), I believe that, although it isn't true art when being practiced by the student because it's not coming from the student intrinsically, it is closer to art than craft because it's still an expression with a degree of creativity.

Based on this way of viewing the phenomenon in question, it would be plausible to categorise common, communal, systematic expressions including Taekwondo, Hapkido, Tang Soo do, Taekkyeon, Hwa Rang Do, Karate, Judo, Ninjutsu, Kendo and all systems of Kung Fu just to name a few, as art. They were true art to the people who invented of formulated the system, but to everyone else in the world, I do not see how it can be categorised as art that is true to their inner self. It can be an art of which they practice, nothing more. The practitioner can only become a true Martial Artist when he/she chooses to express his or herself in addition too or instead of a system. If true Martial Art were to be practiced by everyone on this planet, there would be approximately seven billion styles/unique expressions.

What of Martial Crafts in our Western societies? Let's look at Boxing as an example. Boxing is a comprehensive system of punching. It is commonly practiced for competitive purposes around the world. However, the punches of boxing are very applicable to self defence. Self defence is another reason as to why people might take up Boxing. However, is there the element of artistic creativity? Most often the answer would be 'no'. For the wide spread communal practice of Boxing, the aim is to be proficient in self defence and/or competition, not to be self expressive in an artistic way. That's not to say that an individual can't learn the martial techniques of Boxing and incorporate them into his/her own expression. A Martial Craft such as Boxing can be a great form of supplementation towards one's individual expression of Martial Art. Another System that I would consider to be a Martial Craft is Krav Mega, a system that emphasises practicality and efficiency. On a communal level, it isn't a practice of creative self expression. It is a skill set developed purely for the purpose of survival. Krav Mega is a prime example of what I consider to be a Martial Craft.

I myself find this to be a very confusing topic. It has been sitting in the back of my mind for the past 11 months of so. I will now state it all as simply as I currently can. Now, think of a spectrum. A Martial Craft is a skill set of techniques accumulated for the soul purpose of having practical application in a life threatening situation. A Martial Craft such as Boxing and Krav Mega are located on the left end of the spectrum. In the middle of the spectrum is Martial Art. Martial Arts are skill sets of combative techniques that have the added elements of creativity end expressiveness. Common examples of this are Taekwondo, Karate and Kung Fu systems such as Wing Chun and Hung Garr. On the right end of the spectrum is true Martial Art. True Martial Art is not normally community based. It is practiced on an individual level. It is not just expressive, it is self expressive, which means the practitioner is transcribing his emotions into martial techniques, peacefully. By "peacefully" I mean that no physical, mental or emotional harm comes to the practitioner and/or anyone else as a result of the practice. True art is an honest expression coming from within ones soul. True Martial Art is an honest expression coming from within ones soul, physically expressed with combative techniques. Bruce Lee was an example of someone who practiced true Martial Art. Some people who I consider to be practitioners of True Martial Art today include Freddie Lee and No Limit Technique.

In my opinion, Martial Crafts, Martial Arts and True Martial Art are all fantastic. If you are looking for something to practice, weather you decide to take up what I consider to be a Martial Craft or a Martial Art, it doesn't really matter. Both have their benefits. I do encourage you to use what you learn from studying an art or craft system, and integrate the useful content into your own creative expression. Just as Bruce Lee famously stated; "Absorb what is useful, discard what is not, add what is uniquely your own". I encourage you to walk the path of a true Martial Artist. This should empower you to be the best possible version of yourself that can be discovered.

Relevant webpage:
http://www.differencebetween.net/miscellaneous/difference-between-art-and-craft/

Thank You for Reading

Check Me Out on Art of No Style Training 2..

Part 2 of the Art of No Style Training. There are more of Fitness Training as my upgraded in a natural way. Squats 185 lbs, 30 push ups with strength, stability and full range of of motion. That were speed come from as perform the techniques, strength, stability and full range of motion. Also ab wheel in a mid level that I'm at right now, I am not ready for expert level yet but I will as I get stronger and stronger. Far as bench press, I still bench press 145 lbs but with 155 lbs are coming soon. The weapon training I did but guns are coming soon. I did nunchuck and knife. Nunchucks I did are inspired by Bruce Lee and Freddie Lee but I created my own. Knife Combat Training that I was inspired by Filipino Knife Fighting and Ninja, the art of the stealth that I found out that Chinese Warrior Monk at Japan, taught an ex samurai the art of stealth that is used from Sun Tzu's teaching as from the Art Of War. An ex samurai used the Art of Stealth instead of the Art of War because that already labeled. I am Japanese American but I am Ninja as the Art of Stealth inside of me and the Art of Piece inspired by Ushiba as a balance of Yin and Yang. I am not a Samurai or Feudal of Army inside of me. Last is Punching Technique that inspired by Boxing as mix of Mike Tyson as known of hard body punches and Floyd Mayweather of Jab and Cross as a balnce of Yin is like Mayweather and Yang as from Mike Tyson. At first, I punch with boxing gloves, later I punch the heavy with bare hands as a training to use in real combat that prevent from broken hands. I used the music that is not from Steve Caissy but later in video, I will use Steve Caissy, I used other music that I had passion.

Maintaining a Perspective

I found these two videos to be intriguing and rather eye opening. What about you?

The Mintiure Earth Project

Why Some Countries are Poor and Others Are Rich

Real Martial Arts is Not for Children

Real Martial Arts is Not for Children

Real Martial Arts is not for children.  The public has been deceived by mass media.  Martial Arts is real talent, real skill, real responsibility, real discipline.  Real firearms training is not for children but for responsible adults.  Anybody, child or adult can kick and punch, but no child will ever be able to bench press or squat over 250 lbs.  Heavy weight lifting is not possible and unsafe for children but can only be done by a strong and fit adult. 

Driving a motor vehicle you need to be at least 16.  To drink alcohol you need to be at least 21.  To become a Police Officer you need to be at least 21.  To join the military you need to be at least 18.  To own a firearm you need to be at least 21.  To become a responsible father you need to be at least 21.  To become a successful entrepreneur you will need to be at least 21.  To own a home you will need to be at least 21.  To be ready for marriage you will need to be at least 21.  Anything that is important in life requires responsibility; with greater responsibility you will have greater freedom.  Real Martial Arts requires responsibility.  Real Martial Artists are mature and responsible. 

Real Martial Arts is not “Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles”, it is not “Power Rangers”, it is not “The Karate Kid.”  Real Martial Arts is Bruce Lee, Tupac, Malcolm X, Martin Luther King Jr., Osho, Socrates, Lao-tzu.  It is power that is guided by wisdom.  It is not just kicking and punching, it is power through Art, it is power through speech, the more modern a Martial Artist, the less kicking and punching, but the way is demonstrated via speech and way of life.

The gifts of True Martial Arts

It’s been already a year since I’ve subscribed myself to ‘Kickboxing Rive-Sud’ in the city where I live. Freddie’s been a great influence in my school selection. All his teachings provided me with the best knowledge concerning real martial arts and real dedicated masters instead of fraudulent characters. The journey is young and like I like to say, apprenticeship is something that never ends. But I would like to mention that this short and quick year as brought me a lot. Here’s a sample of what the school and their masters brought me.

-Higher confidence

-More calm, more ‘in control’ of my emotions and whatnot

-More aware of my surroundings and of how fragile life his

-Upgrades in my technical fighting skills and judgment

-A better physical condition

-I’m more optimistic in general

-More respectful towards others

-More grateful towards others and life in general

-I’ve learned better approaches of coaching, some I can use with my personal clientele

-More social

-I’ve learn to eat better

-Generosity

-My listening to others has improved

-More spiritual

That’s just a glimpse of what happened in this past year. I’m grateful to have the chance to be surrounded with magnificent people, masters and colleagues. I’m also happy to be a part of this community that is FMK. It’s cool to have a place in the internet where we can help each others with knowledge and wisdom and share our art whether it’s Martial Arts, Music or other Art form. Let’s keep up the good work, all of us!

Check out my Training Video

I was Inspired by Freddie Lee, Bruce Lee and others but I am not looking for next Bruce Lee 2pac and Freddie Lee, I'm building my own name on YouTube on Freestyle Hip Hop and Martial Arts. On my Training, I had been Weight training. When I was look at you bench press more weight than I do, I don't follow you because I am very honest for my safety, later, slowly, I will progress. In mean time, I got stronger, stability and full range of motion than I am before.Speed in combat sport are overrated. I agree what Freddie Lee said about how to kick or punch faster, I'm going to rap to attack the overrated speed that don't even works. Speed against the gun point, it doesn't work because bullet is way faster than speed of techniques. First, In my opinion, how to kick or punch faster, need strong muscle that had stability and full range of motion, good techniques of take there time like a turtle to build comfortable so we can add speed later in natural way, and need to put weight behind every technique with power. I read book of Bruce Lee's fighting method, speed without power is useless in real combat. Also he said that many martial artist style had speed but no power and power but no speed. What I understand that many of martial artist style are either all yangs and all yins. Bruce Lee as his Jeet Kune Do had a balance of speed of snap and power of thrust as yin and yang. In my experience, It happened to me that I had no balance of yin and yang, I am either all yin or all yang because of all power at first, then overrated speed that I had been listen like listen to media. Finally, I was enlightened that speed of non telegraph techniques and power as put body weight into the target. I had unique way of stretching because even I am had flexibility, my muscle are tight, to loose my muscle, I rolling with a splits. Next is rolling technique that could be good for self protecting, When I was a teenager, I went to water park, I was slip and fell, I ended up rolling techniques and saved me. Without rolling, that would be an injured. Kicking Techniques I did that came from 20 years of taekwondo. I'm also mix with boxing head movement that from Freddie Lee and other boxing movement, Taekwondo or Fencing Footwork and Muay Boran hands movement that I got that from Tony Jaa. My round kick that I believe is rare, A Monkey style roundkick by toes pointed down. I found out that came from Kung Fu that My taekwondo master taught me that kick, who is so rare that someone gave him a nickname is Bruce as american name because he is taekwondo version of Bruce Lee that gave me a positive energy. I support guns as a modern combat, I don't have a guns yet because of need to save up my money to get a guns, I started off training guns then real guns. People out there said I am not response that made me fear of guns, me, I don't have fear of guns, like you said about cows that made me laugh that lions and cows don't understand each other, I am not a cows, I am a lion. Why I put as Tao of Art of No Style because of the way of the freesdom from style, corruptions, politics, rules and other nonsense and I read that book of tao te ching that I'm really relate to that book. Why I put that symbols of yin and yang because of my motivation of balance of hard and soft. Why I put chinese tiger because of on fire or Intense like a lion. Why I put Chinese Dragon because the meaning of real martial artist. I will have tattoo of Chinese Tiger and Dragon with yin and yang on my back later once I got my money saved up.
I talked to Steve Caissy, I had his permission that he let me use his music, I was to special thanks to Steve Caissy that I let know that I am a true FMK support. I am Asian American by the way I am a minority struggle with barely money that need money to survive, not dumb ways to make money to be a sellouts, no way.

I created my own logo as I build my own name................................................

The  title  of  the  video  name  black  men  drinking  old  chocolate  milk
And   when  I  was  drinking  the  chocolate  milk  it  was  so  nasy  taste
And  bad  taste  I  was  making  faces  saying  to  my self  this  funky  chocolate  milk
And  I   almost  fall  out  from  the  taste  of  it   so  enjoy  the  video  I  made friends.

New music!

Here’s a new track I just finished. I called it ‘Pas à pas’ which is French for ‘Step by step’. Enjoy!

Fear & love

I feel that fear is only temporary and that love is eternal. Even an extremely awful fear will be temporary, for it leaves the body when we die. When we die, fear leaves but love remains, it remains in the memories, in the heart of those who remember you. Let’s go a little deeper. When the big bang occurred, all the atoms were splits in billions of billions of tiny bits of what they once were. But forces inside of them drove them to reconnect themselves. Galaxy, black holes, planets, gravity, life... It’s all love, molecular activity occurring, trying to reconnect itself. Other big bang will occur and no matter how far atoms are splits, they will reconnect again. No matter how much life suffers, life will find love and succeed, if it’s not in this world, in others it will. 

Notable Individuals - Lawrence Tan

Lawrence Tan has been a practitioner of Martial Art for over 50 years. He never quite felt tranquil within himself growing up in a family of Chinese immigrants in America. As a thirteen year old he lived in a neighbourhood were in his own words; "there were mainly whites, there were very few Chinese". He suffered from racial prejudice as he was constantly referred to as "Jap", "nip" and "chink". The Chinese community laughed at him for he did not speak a Chinese language. This resulted in Tan not feeling like he belonged anywhere. He saw Bruce Lee's films when they were originally released in cinemas. After seeing what Bruce Lee was doing on the big screen, he had a feeling that Gung Fu was something that he had to do. Finding a place to learn a Chinese system, however, proved to be very difficult. He then took something else on the basis of availability - Karate.

One day a friend of his came to visit him from Taiwan. During a sparring session his friend used techniques that Tan hadn't yet seen. After having his leg swept and consequently falling to the ground, he asked his friend "What was that?". His friend replied "It was Gung Fu." This further compelled Tan to find a place to learn a Chinese system. He went to his local Chinatown and looked deeper than he ever had. He felt that because that it came from China it affirmed his heritage and the fact that it had a philosophical foundation helped nurture a very philosophical and spiritual side that felt right for him.

Finding work as a fight choreographer for movies, Tan was able to fund a trip to the Shoalin Temple in China in 1984. What he found was truly enlightening, but not in the way he expected it to be. At first tan thought that by going back to the Shoalin Temple, he was going back to the very essence of Martial Art. He thought, as many do when venturing to the Shoalin Temple, that they were tracing Martial Art back to its very source, to see Martial Art exist in its most purest form. In actuality, China's government had long turned the Shoalin Temple into a tourist trap! "It was like a Chinese Disney land." said Tan. Most of the monks new little to nothing about meditation, enlightenment and spirituality in general. Tan spoke of an instance when he ascended from his slumber at 2am to see the monks meditating. On his way there, he saw one monk practicing what looked like Western Boxing. The Shoalin Temple is generally the last place one would expect to see the practice of Western Boxing for obvious reasons. Tan asked the monk why he was practicing this. The monk replied; "Chinese Gong Fu superior, but Boxing more efficient to learn and more practical in combat". I personally find this statement to be truly profound, especially considering the fact that it came from a monk in the Shoalin Temple. Tan then spent time at a training academy for boys located across the road from the temple. The level of discipline these young practitioners had was unlike anything Tan had seen in America. However, their motivations were again, not what he expected them to be. These young practitioners wanted to be China's next Bruce Lee, they wanted to make it in to Hollywood through martial practice, not physical, mental and spiritual cultivation through martial practice. Weather he found what he expected to find or not, Tan gained a lot of wisdom from his time at the Shoalin Temple.

Tan stresses the importance of understanding the differences between East and West as the ways of thinking and learning are very different. Over years gone by, Tan has observed that the traditional Chinese way of learning is much more based on mimicry. The master has a lot more knowledge and experience. The master knows what he is doing, therefore, the student follows what the master does. Over time the student will intuitively grasp it. The Western way is much more analytical. It prefers to break something down and analyse each small detail in order to gain an intellectual comprehension. When Tan was asked where he fits in between East and West, he replied; "Back and forth like a yoyo!".

Lawrence Tan now resides in the city of New York where he teaches his personal expression of Martial Art, formatted into a system he invented to make his expression more accessible for those with no experience. The etymology of Tandao is fairly obvious in being 'the Tao of Lawrence Tans expression'. It is important to note that the Tandao system is not the be all end all definition of Lawrence Tans expression of Martial Art, the Tandao system more so serves to market his expression and to provide his students with a good foundation.

In recent years Tan created an online web series on blip called Tandao Fight Lab. This is how I discovered him. Tandao fight lab episodes are aimed at who Tan refers to as "the evolving Martial Artist.". In Tandao fight lab, Tan demonstrates how techniques from the forms of classical Gung Fu systems can be applied in common street scenarios and against the 'modern techniques' of a combat sport practitioner. Each episode runs for approximately 2 to 4 minutes. A relative of mine saw some of Lawrence Tans technique and questioned if Tan was/is as legitimate as he claims to be. My opinion on the matter is that regardless of how well he may appear to execute techniques, he has great knowledge. His knowledge grants him versatility, this would be his main advantage in a combative situation. I have found his Tandao fight lab episodes to be very beneficial to my training. They have deepened my insight into the wisdom of classical Gung Fu. I believe Lawrence Tans heart is geared towards expressing the Martial Way.

Be sure to check out...

Lawrence Tans Website: http://www.tandao.com

Lawrence Tan on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TanDaoKungFu

Tandao Fight Lab on Blip: http://blip.tv/tandao-fight-lab

TanDaoKungFu on YouTube: https://m.youtube.com/user/TanDaoKungFu

TanDaoKungFu on Vimeo: https://vimeo.com/tandaokungfu

Lawrence Tan was also interviewed in this ineresting documentary: https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=mxMxoE4uoMo

Here's a good video of Lawrence Tan demonstration his expression.

TanDao Fight Lab #14 - Kung Fu Within The Flow

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=lv7m56nQSqE

I particularly like this video that was taken in 2005. Tan takes Martial Art to the class room, educating people about the history of Martial Art, how in the 21st century it's being represented, and what he thinks the future has in store for Martial Art. If you are to watch anything from Lawrence Tan THEN WATCH THIS!!!!

Chinese Martial Arts: Yesterday, Today, and Tomorrow

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=f36vWn4c5do

Thank You For Reading!

One Moment of Bliss

One Moment of Bliss

I will trade in all experiences for one moment of bliss.  All the money cannot make up for it.  All the fame cannot make up for it.  There is no other purpose in life but to be in bliss.  Can it be possible to be in bliss all day everyday?  Experiencing this bliss alone is beautiful; sharing this bliss with another is even greater. 

The cloud is filled with so much water that it needs to rain.  Some will appreciate the rain, some will not.  The key is finding the individuals who will appreciate this rain, as they accept this water, they become nourished, they can grow into something beautiful like a seed that eventually blossoms to become a flower. 

When the rain comes, some will run indoors because they are afraid of the water, they have yet to learn to appreciate the water.  The water is what gives life.  Everyone will eventually go back to the source, regardless of whether they appreciate it or not, they will inevitably go back to the source.  The cloud rains down because it is overfilled.  There is too much, when there is too much, it needs to be shared.  The sharing is what is the fulfillment. 

The love needs to be shared, this sharing is what provides contentment.  This is the purpose of life for a man of love, to share love.  Not just with one person, not just with a few people, but to share love to the entire world.  Every man, every women, every plant, every tree, every animal, to every living thing in this world. 

Some will reject the love, but that’s ok.  The sun does not get upset when people put on sunblock.  The cloud is not depressed because some people are running indoors.  The sun needs to shine, the cloud needs to rain.  When you are overfilled with love, you must share this love, this is the only contentment. 

Notable Individuals - Introduction

Hello All

This post is an introduction to an upcoming series of blog posts. I am planning to create a short blog series that will shed light on people who are, in my opinion, promoting true Martial Art.

There are people in this world that practice true Martial Art. They are intelligent people. For the most part, they are hidden; by which I mean that they are not known of in the eyes of the public. A few however, have decided to share Martial Art with others through many different methods and have gained various degrees of publicity such as Freddie Lee has. Some choose to do this by teaching students through using systems as tools sets to build good foundations, but not by preaching dependence on the systems they teach. Rather they, as do all good teachers, work on installing independence in their students - to no longer being reliant on the system for martialy artful expression. This can be viewed as being similar to raising children, but in Martial Art. Others choose to take more informal approaches and teach in more spontaneous ways from day one. They simply express what is within them via the execution of martial techniques, free from restriction in all stages of the teacher/student relationship that a system may impose.

Every practitioner I wright about is alive at the time of posting. That is the fundamental essance of this series. Putting it simply, they are people who are alive today and are currently putting themselves out there to promote the essence of Martial Art in their own ways.

I hope you will enjoy the series.

Racism

Racism

I wasn’t going to speak on this topic, it’s not good for business but I decided to say something to provide insight.  This topic is taboo, people don’t want to speak about it and especially at this time, the racial tensions are very high, it looks like it is on the verge of explosion, with all these killings, protests, and news about so many people’s frustrations. 

But the way I see it is that racism will always exist unless there is a spiritual transformation that occurs within the individual, without that, racism will always exist, racism is the mind, racism is the ego, racism is competition.  America thrives on competition, capitalism is competition.  You can’t have capitalism without competition, you cannot be free from racism while retaining the competitive mindset.  Having America be free from racism as a whole is like having America drop capitalism, it’s like having America drop competition, that simply will not happen, America is too powerful to allow that to happen. 

But as an individual, you can free yourself from racism, you can free yourself from competition, you can free yourself from the mentality of stepping over somebody else in order to be on top.  Just recently there was a hugely successful boxing match set up between Mayweather and Pacquiao.  You see how many millions of Americans and people all over the world who were so excited to come together to watch a fight, no these people did not come together to watch two men hug and kiss for an hour, no they came to watch two people fight, two people from different cultures, from different countries, and each person had the one they wanted to win the fight.  This is a direct example of what racism is all about, it is about conflict between two different cultures, conflict between two different countries. 

As soon as a person has pride from his “own” country over another, this is what racism is all about, they call it “nationalism” but nationalism is just another term to hide racism.  When you feel that pride in believing that America is better than Africa, because America is just so much more powerful and full of success, this is the breeding grounds of racism.  Just like the American boxer is seen by some to be so much more powerful and successful than the Filipino boxer, this is the breeding grounds of racism, this is the breeding grounds of “White” power. 

People think they are so much better than the KKK, actually a majority of the people in the America have the KKK mentality.  If you are a competitive person, you have a part of the KKK mentality.  The only way to liberate yourself from the KKK mentality completely is to drop competition, is to drop your identification with the Ego. 

When you watch sports, and you cheer for one team over another, this is the breeding grounds of the racist mentality.  Chicago vs. New York is not too different than the USA vs. Africa or White vs. Black.  As soon as you choose this vs. that, it becomes the breeding grounds towards racism.  If you drop competition, if you no longer see the difference between Chicago and New York, if you no longer see the difference between the US and Africa, if you no longer see the difference between White and Black, if all differences disappear if you see all states as one state, if you see all nations as one nation, if you see all races as one race, then you are free from racism, but if you still see the division, and you still are for or against, if you are still divided.  Then racism will not disappear.  This understanding can only happen on an individual level, as a nation, racism will never disappear, it is too strongly rooted in our culture and upbringing, but as an individual you can make a change, if you change, you have the power to change the world.