There are great
martial artists
of all styles;
it is not the
style that made
them great, but
rather their
own effort
combined with
decades of
practice.
Topic
Style vs. Style
Martial arts has always had a very broad meaning. Martial
arts may refer to karate, aikido, judo, ju jitsu, kung fu,
tai chi, tae kwon do, hapkido, kendo — in fact, there are
hundreds, perhaps thousands of styles of martial arts. Some
are well-developed, well known styles taught in schools
internationally, while many styles are indigeneous to a
specific rural village, taught and practiced only there for
centuries and unknown to the rest of the world. Some
arts specialize in kicking, while other focus on hand strikes
and trapping. Some are throwing arts and others grapple
— concentrating primarily on ground fighting. Although
these styles and systems vary in origin — coming from China,
Okinawa, Japan, Korea, as well as from other countries
throughout Asia and elsewhere — they all teach martial
technique, either empty handed or with a weapon.
Only a small number of these styles have successfully
migrated to America, and only a fraction of those have
come to the general public’s awareness. A particular style
gains popularity almost exclusively through the media —
specifically movies and TV — quickly gains a small following
and grows in popularity only when it is successfully marketed
or championed by a Hollywood star or professional athlete.
Modern History
The popularity of martial arts in the West over the past 50
years has its roots in the experiences of military servicemen
returning to the U.S. at the end of the Korean War in the
early 1950’s. Exposed for the first time to traditional Asian
forms of empty-handed fighting and self defense, these
combat-trained soldiers were as facinated by its efficiency
and effectiveneess as they were by its grace. Returning
servicemen were among the first westerners in the U.S. to
open martial arts schools.
The relative popularity of various martial arts styles has risen
and fallen with the times. Throughout the 1950s and 60s, the
Judo craze mesmerized audiences with throws and locks. By
the late 1960s and 70s, we saw the rise of Karate, a powerful
striking art, and Kung Fu, popularized by Bruce Lee and,
later, by the American TV series of the same name. Hundreds
of thousands of students throughout the U.S. flocked to
dojos to learn these mysterious new fighting arts. Words like
ninja and sensei entered the general English vocabulary.
In the 1980s, a Korean art – Tae Kwon Do — burst upon
the scene. One master was asked, “How did Tae Kwon Do
become so popular?” His reply? “If I break a brick with my
hand, it looks good, but if I throw a brick in the air and break
it with a kick – that looks more impressive. Americans want
to be able to defend themselves, but they also want to look
good doing it.” Martial arts-inspired fight scenes became
more and more prevalent in mainstream Hollywood movies.
A whole generation of kids grew up watching the animated
TV show, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles.
Martial arts is
a way of human
development
understandable
by people all
over the world.
If you can beat
up everyone in
the world but
cannot control
yourself,
you will have
missed the point
of practice
entirely.
No-Holds-Bared Competition
In the 1990s, the popularity of Brazilian Ju Jitsu coincided
with the introduction of Ultimate Fighting, a contest that
claimed to settle the age-old question, “Which martial art is
the best?” Ultimate Fighting promised to end speculation,
conjecture and arguments; it would all be settled in a cage.
And, after winning match after match, Brazilian Ju Jitsu, as
practiced by the Gracie family, consistantly came out on top,
appearing to be the style to beat. Ten years later, Ultimate
Fighting has become an international sport, watched by
millions around the world. Top competitors train hard, and
Brazilian Ju Jitsu is just one successful style among many.
Today, there are as many knock-outs as tap-outs. Grapplers
are punching and strikers are grappling. It can be said that
the lasting legacy of the Gracie family was to make the
martial arts world address the issue of what to do when you
are taken to the ground. Ultimate Fighting has become much
less a contest of style vs. style, and much more a test of one
particular fighter’s ability vs. another’s.
Given this history, it is easy to understand that people who
have never studied martial arts see the entire practice as
fighting. It’s only natural. Martial arts were introduced to
the West in general and to the U.S. in particular by former
soldiers who viewed the art as an effective mean of self-
defense. And, if you view these as fighting arts, then it’s no
surprise that the question arises, “If one style fought another,
which would win?”
If you think about it, you’ll see that the question itself is
beside the point. All authentic styles and systems teach
self defense skills necessary to take a confrontational
situation under control or allow you to defend yourself if
attacked. But people are rarely attacked in everyday life by
professional fighters, or by trained martial artists. Most attacks
are perpetrated by a punk or thug with a quick temper, often
under the influence of drugs and/or alcohol. So, which style is
the most effective? From a self-defense perspective, virtually all
authentic styles will work.
Sport, Science or Art
Of course, the longer you study martial arts — any style of
martial arts — the longer you practice, the more apparent
it becomes that it is so much more than fighting. In fact, the
ability to fight effectively is a mere consequence. Let’s analyze
it. If the objective of martial arts was just to successfully
compete in contests of skill, then wouldn’t it be called martial
sport? If the objective was to hone an efficient means of
fighting technique, then shouldn’t it be called martial science?
Wouldn’t we be martial technicians? But no, this has always
been designated and refered to as an art. What does it mean
to be an artist? While mastery of technique is necessary; and
desire, will and execution are expected, ultimately, artists act
to express themselves, to produce or arrange sound, color,
form, movement, or other elements in a creative manner. It
may not make for an exciting action movie, but martial arts is
about creating something of unique aesthetic value, not about
destroying your enemy.
Look at the names of several traditional styles. Judo is
translated as the gentle way. Kung Fu means achievement
through effort or wisdom through skill. Karate translates as
empty hand, although some masters say that the original
characters meant using the hand or body to empty the self.
Aikido means the way of harmony. All of the great masters,
from Tamo Bodidharma (founder of Kung Fu) in the 6th
century on, have stressed that martial arts is a path of personal
transformation that ultimately leads to self-realization.
At the deepest
level all disciplines
strive to help
the practitioners
transform
themselves.
The ego is what
causes you to
feel superior.
To study martial
arts is to do
battle with
the ego.
Ego Enhancement is the Antithesis of Martial Arts
From this perspective, the question, which style is the most
effective? is meaningless. What reason would two martial
artists — serious martial artists who practice their art
diligently and passionately — have for fighting with one
another? Through practice, they develop the discipline and
self-control to be able to deal with most situations without
resorting to blows. The thrill of competition? If the essence of
martial arts is personal transformation that ultimately leads
to self-realization, then practice is designed to minimize and
ultimately destroy the ego. Entertaining concepts of victory
and defeat is counter-productive.
Unfortunately, today there are far too many people claiming
to be martial artists who are perpetually training for the
enhancement of their egos, for the pride of victory, boasting
that they are the toughest or that their style is the best,
ready to fight anyone that challenges them.Although these
people may be great fighters, they have not yet realized that,
in martial arts as in life itself, the real battle is within.
Never compare yourself with others.
If you must compare yourself with someone,
compare yourself with yourself yesterday.
Craig was in his 30s and had practiced martial
arts for many years. He had practiced 2 or 3
different styles and was quickly becoming bored with his
present practice. Believing that he had gotten all the he
could from his present style, he started to search again for
the ultimate system. His search led him to a small school
on the outskirts of town. Craig thought that he had visited
almost every school in the city at least once, but somehow he
had missed this one.
Craig walked into the school with the intention of
interviewing the master. He had prepared a lengthy list of
questions. This was the same list he used to confront all of his
previous instructors, as well as many others that did not pass
his test.
A friendly and professional staff member, who asked, “How
can I help you?,” immediately greeted him. Craig in an
assured, slightly arrogant tone asked to meet the master. The
staff member smiled and said, “Normally, you would need an
appointment but we just had a cancellation. Please, take a
seat and I’ll see if the master will meet with you.”
Sitting down, Craig couldn’t help but notice how quiet and
peaceful this place was. It wasn’t at all what he expected.
Everything was so neat and clean; it seemed as if everything
had its place.
It was simple and beautiful, yet Craig could tell that this
wasn’t about just being beautiful. Students practiced very
hard here. Glancing up, he noticed a wall lined with framed
photos. Some he recognized and some he didn’t, but they
Everything that
you encounter
is an aspect
of martial
arts; find the
marvelous truth
there.
were obviously martial arts masters. The odd thing was that,
A true artist
transcends
style and moves
with spirit.
as far as he could tell, they came from all different styles.
Looking up at the pictures, Craig didn’t notice that the
master was now standing in front of him. He was a small and
unassuming man, yet he exuded a presence of confidence
and wisdom.
The master spoke first. “You asked to see me?”
Craig immediately stood and said, “Yes sir. I’ve practiced for
many years and I know a lot of styles and now I am thinking
about joining your school.”
Now the master, seeming a little confused, asked, “You know
a lot of styles?”
“Well,” said Craig , “I’ve practiced a lot of styles and I have
some questions for you. My first question is why should I
practice your style?”
To this the master responded, “I don’t know that you
should.”
Craig said, “Well, what I mean is , what is so great about your
style?”
The master smiled and said quietly, “Nothing.”
Craig was becoming a little frustrated now. “No, I mean what
makes your style better than other styles?”
In response, the master pointed to the wall with the
photographs and said, “These are great masters from many
different disciplines. It doesn’t matter what style you practice.
Much more important are the reasons you practice. What
these great ones have in common is that they all saw their art
as more than fighting, understood that martial arts is a path
to help people strengthen their mind, body and spirit, so
they can defeat their internal demons.”
Craig realized that, for years, he had been looking for the
greatest style, feeling that, if he found it, it would turn
him into a great martial artist. But he needed to examine
his motivation for practice as well as what he got out of
his practice. Now it seemed that the first step in being a
great martial artist was to see the practice as more than just
fighting, to understand that it is a discipline that can lead to
self-knowledge.
The only way to
develop your mind,
body and spirit is
to always practice
with your mind,
body and spirit.
In the beginning of practice, people desire
confidence and self defense skills
Once acquired, they start to see
how the art effects their life.
Even the most
capable one
was once a
beginner.
Activity
Great Martial Artist
This month’s activity is to write about a great martial artist.
They can come from any style or discipline, an ancient master
or a contemporary master. Research his life and art or arts
that he has practiced. Include any facts that you feel are
interesting or important. Include all you can discover about
their personal philosophy — the ways in which they viewed
their art and practice beyond physical technique.
In picking someone to write about, try to avoid movie stars or
celebrities. Make your decision based on someone that you
are interested in learning about or are drawn to. Initially, you
may want to have 3 or 4 people in mind and then narrow the
field as you discover more about them. This activity can be
very exciting, and should motivate you in your own practice.
If it starts to seems like too much like a chore, you may have
picked the wrong person, so choose wisely and have fun with
it.
Enlightenment must come little by little;
otherwise it would overwhelm.
– Idries Shah
Reminders
Style vs. Style
You have practiced now for a year or more. In this time
you’ve been exposed to many new concepts, principles and
techniques. If you are practicing regularly and hard, you
should be in much better shape than when you began. You
have learned many things. You are acquiring technical skills
that once you only dreamed about. A basic technique that
seemed so difficult at the beginning, you now perform
with ease. Of course you still have a long way to go, so it is
important to remember that, at the heart of your practice,
lies the student/teacher relationship.
This is a very unique and special relationship and should be
unlike any other. Of the seven ways of becoming a great
martial artist, the first is to find a great teacher. 200 years
ago, if you wanted to study martial arts, you would have to
live in Asia and be willing to enter a temple, hermitage or
secret society, vowing to dedicate your life to the study.
In modern society, the problem is almost reversed. There
are many strip-mall masters flooding the phone books, all
claiming to be the greatest, the best, the highest-ranking
martial artist in town. Don’t fall into the trap of believing
that the grass is always greener. Focus on developing a deep,
meaningful relationship with your instructor. If you have
Students of any art
including karate-do
must never forget
the cultivation of
the mind and the
body.
the tendency to be reserved and quiet, use this relationship
May the
extraordinary
days of your
past be the
common days of
your future.
as an opportunity to break through your limitation and
really let somebody know you. If you have a more outgoing
personality, remember, your instructor should never become
your buddy, pal or friend. If they do, it will only hurt your
ability to learn from them.You can find friends anywhere but
a great martial arts teacher is very special and rare.
“Karate ni sente nashi”
(There is no first attack in karate)
Recommended Reading
Strike Like Lightening – C.V. Rhoades
Martial Arts after 40 – Sang H. Kim
Herding the Ox: Martial Arts
as a Moral Metaphor – John Donohue, Ph.D