Warrior Nation

“People should learn to see and so avoid danger. Just as a wise man keeps away from mad dogs, so one should not make friends with evil men.”

Buddha.

Recently we have been inundated with requests to franchise which would include a Mixed Martial Arts program. It seems that it is impossible to discuss martial arts training without including Mixed Martial Arts. 

We enjoy watching Mixed Martial Arts events. In fact, several of our Black Belts recently attended a Mixed Martial Arts event and had an enjoyable time. Over the past twenty five years, I regularly competed in Judo tournaments as well as an occasional Karate tournament.  In the “olden days”, I must confess, that I participated in what is now called Fight Clubs. In those days it was just underground fighting. The point of this is that we, in no way, have a phobia about tournaments or Ultimate Fighting competition.

Ask yourself this question: What is the purpose of the martial arts lifestyle and training? Every instructor must know the answers to these questions. Each student must study these questions.  Is the martial arts lifestyle one of fighting or one of seeking peace?

Having been fortunate enough to meet and train with the icons of martial arts, I was consistently required to study these questions. I was taught, often by example, that winning a fight or tournament was often more a result of luck than a result of skill.

These teachers were not opposed to competition and each had had combat experience either in the military, as police personnel or in civilian life. In fact, Mr. Kim and I often attended Sumo and Karate tournaments as well as having the opportunity of watching Muhammad Ali fight the current Japanese-Judo wrestling champion.

My instructors were “philosophical psychologists”. They believed that the discipline, self development and spirituality of hard martial arts training would make each person mentally and physically healthy. If each person experienced these benefits, they believed that their community would also benefit.

What Is a Warrior?

“I am capable of what every other human is capable of. This is one of the great lessons of war and life.”

M. Angelou

Warrior can be defined in a variety of ways. With the exception of Tomiki Aikido, most interpretations of Ueshiba’s Aikido do not involve competition.

Those that don’t understand Aikido consider it as more of a philosophy than a martial art. Judo is often not considered as self defense orientated as Karate or Jujitsu. Kendo is thought of as merely a sport, yet when I trained in Japan, and worked with the Japanese Special Police, most of those “warriors” were required to be trained in Judo, Aikido and Kendo.

Judo is “the gentle way”. Hapkido is the “way of coordinating internal power”. Aikido is “the path of peace”. What were the founders of these martial arts trying to convey through the development of their art?

Why is it that Mixed Martial Arts enthusiasts feel that in order for a martial art to be viable, a persons mind set must be one of aggression and that the viability of a martial art depends on not just winning, but in doing harm to ones opponent?  Does a true warrior measure his art by disrespecting the values of another art? Is the measure of martial art value the ability to hurt another person? Is self defense training just an excuse for uncontrolled, aggressive behavior and contempt for the concept of peaceful resolution?

We believe that there is value to all quality training and learning. Mental, philosophical, physical and spiritual preparation is essential for personal growth. Quality martial art training develops these traits. Those that disparage traditional martial arts training only understand a miniscule aspect of martial arts. Studying traditional arts allows the student to learn the complete meaning of martial arts and the way of life that the founders intended. The founders believed that training was a way to make the world a better place. Can as much be said for a system that idealizes the violent aspect of martial arts?

James R. Garrison, 9th DAN

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