Big arms, large upper body=Western intimidation.
Many people think that size matters in a fight. Not always true. Speed coupled with power is a lethal combination, but even that alone is not always practical. Technique is great to have, great to know, but without speed and accuracy and with a lack of practice, application of the technique is weak and useless...unless one uses the technique in a kata or practices Tai Chi, which flows smoothly, gracefully as it naturally should. Altogether, the harmony of mind/body/soul and speed/power/accuracy in a fight is tantamount to survival. It's a cycle that comes full circle, one value leads to another, therefore gradually increasing the defense or offense in a person with each addition of the next value.
Now, there is no need to go out in the world and look for a fight, just live your life. Be aware of your environment and the people in it, and as far as you get in achievements and status, whether it be a promotion at a job or a new car, don't showboat it and talk down to others. Live in humility. The aim of Aikido was the Art of Peace, to win a battle with words, before it gets physical. If the conflict reaches a physical level, you lose that battle. This does not mean you should allow everyone to walk all over you, it simply means that as long as someone is teasing you or insulting you verbally, pay no attention to it and do not act upon it. Not allowing a verbal abuse to get to you is a great test of patience and control, especially when it is undoubtedly easy to open our mouths and "tell off" the person. I can agree that the world today is full of assholes and idiots that need an ass-kicking to shut them up and show they're nothing but filth, and to them words can mean a world of hurt, but to you, the warrior, words are petty and are not worth getting injured or losing your life over.
"True patience is bearing the unbearable."
Only when the abuse becomes physical and the person(s) touches you or your loved one, or attempts to, should you act. If you are the one standing after a physical confrontation, it is self-defense and thus, it is not your fault. You didn't start it (but some of you are probably saying to yourselves, "...but I sure as hell ended it!"). So again, figuratively "turn the other cheek" and just ignore verbal discourtesy until it gets physical (IF it gets physical! You don't HAVE to fight.) As Lt. Col. (retired) Dave Grossman discussed greatly in his book, On Combat, the Universal Human Phobia is conflict. The goal is to inoculate yourself to conflict or confrontation, or learn all you can and prepare yourself mentally so when the time comes you will be ready. The motto for the Boy Scouts is "Be prepared," and it is righteous to suggest so. Although the Boy Scouts do not have their own school, or dojo, they do have a warrior mentality, a lifestyle full of character and discipline and lessons in survival, and their motto can be held true in any walk of life.
Returning to conflict, there is nothing like a real street fight. Even sparring with one partner or more is different compared to a real physical encounter. There are no rules on the street, and most individuals today don't fight with honor. We should only use force as a last resort. As it is expressed in Budo, the ninja never used his sword unless deemed absolutely necessary. As quoted by Lt. Col. Grossman, "The more willing you are to kill, the less likely you have to do it." That means the more you learn, the more you train, the more ready you become physically and psychologically, the more prepared and willing you are to kill if it was life-or-death, the less likely you will ever need to actually take a situation that far.
It is important to learn the inner workings of martial arts to balance out the physical techniques (the outer workings). The internal is just as important, if not more so, than the external. Men can look alike in body if not similar to one another by working out, getting toned, etc. Same with women.. But if one person has an enlightened mind, open and intellectual and experienced, then that one mind can be greater than all the superficiality in the world.
"In extreme situations, the entire universe becomes our foe; at such critical times, unity of mind and technique is essential - do not let your heart waver!"
-Morihei Ueshiba
"Show strength when you are weak and weakness when you are strong; do this and your opponent will underestimate you."
Many people think that size matters in a fight. Not always true. Speed coupled with power is a lethal combination, but even that alone is not always practical. Technique is great to have, great to know, but without speed and accuracy and with a lack of practice, application of the technique is weak and useless...unless one uses the technique in a kata or practices Tai Chi, which flows smoothly, gracefully as it naturally should. Altogether, the harmony of mind/body/soul and speed/power/accuracy in a fight is tantamount to survival. It's a cycle that comes full circle, one value leads to another, therefore gradually increasing the defense or offense in a person with each addition of the next value.
Now, there is no need to go out in the world and look for a fight, just live your life. Be aware of your environment and the people in it, and as far as you get in achievements and status, whether it be a promotion at a job or a new car, don't showboat it and talk down to others. Live in humility. The aim of Aikido was the Art of Peace, to win a battle with words, before it gets physical. If the conflict reaches a physical level, you lose that battle. This does not mean you should allow everyone to walk all over you, it simply means that as long as someone is teasing you or insulting you verbally, pay no attention to it and do not act upon it. Not allowing a verbal abuse to get to you is a great test of patience and control, especially when it is undoubtedly easy to open our mouths and "tell off" the person. I can agree that the world today is full of assholes and idiots that need an ass-kicking to shut them up and show they're nothing but filth, and to them words can mean a world of hurt, but to you, the warrior, words are petty and are not worth getting injured or losing your life over.
"True patience is bearing the unbearable."
Only when the abuse becomes physical and the person(s) touches you or your loved one, or attempts to, should you act. If you are the one standing after a physical confrontation, it is self-defense and thus, it is not your fault. You didn't start it (but some of you are probably saying to yourselves, "...but I sure as hell ended it!"). So again, figuratively "turn the other cheek" and just ignore verbal discourtesy until it gets physical (IF it gets physical! You don't HAVE to fight.) As Lt. Col. (retired) Dave Grossman discussed greatly in his book, On Combat, the Universal Human Phobia is conflict. The goal is to inoculate yourself to conflict or confrontation, or learn all you can and prepare yourself mentally so when the time comes you will be ready. The motto for the Boy Scouts is "Be prepared," and it is righteous to suggest so. Although the Boy Scouts do not have their own school, or dojo, they do have a warrior mentality, a lifestyle full of character and discipline and lessons in survival, and their motto can be held true in any walk of life.
Returning to conflict, there is nothing like a real street fight. Even sparring with one partner or more is different compared to a real physical encounter. There are no rules on the street, and most individuals today don't fight with honor. We should only use force as a last resort. As it is expressed in Budo, the ninja never used his sword unless deemed absolutely necessary. As quoted by Lt. Col. Grossman, "The more willing you are to kill, the less likely you have to do it." That means the more you learn, the more you train, the more ready you become physically and psychologically, the more prepared and willing you are to kill if it was life-or-death, the less likely you will ever need to actually take a situation that far.
It is important to learn the inner workings of martial arts to balance out the physical techniques (the outer workings). The internal is just as important, if not more so, than the external. Men can look alike in body if not similar to one another by working out, getting toned, etc. Same with women.. But if one person has an enlightened mind, open and intellectual and experienced, then that one mind can be greater than all the superficiality in the world.
"In extreme situations, the entire universe becomes our foe; at such critical times, unity of mind and technique is essential - do not let your heart waver!"
-Morihei Ueshiba
"Show strength when you are weak and weakness when you are strong; do this and your opponent will underestimate you."
