GrandMaster Art Mason's Martial Musing

When I do Kyusho Course in my school, the novice session is 12 3 hour segments lasting a year in time. We meet once per month. My success rate with these groups getting to Black Belt is very high, but there is a reason for it. We follow certain laws that pertain to learning a new skill or any skill for that matter.

There are 4 major areas we will talk about.

1) Who to listen too. There are many people on the internet who are claiming high ranks and understanding of the art. How do you decide? Find someone who is doing the things with Kyusho you want to learn to do. That simple, but often overlooked.

2) Am I teachable? This is an important question to ask yourself. How badly on a scale of 1 to 10 do I want to learn this information and what I am will to do, change or give up to do it!

3) Technical Balance - There is a certain amount of technical skill needs to be balanced with the information processed from Kyusho Jitsu.

4) Putting it together. There are 4 knowledge states to be considered. Your goal is to the reach the forth. This takes time and much word to achieve.

a) Unconscious Incompetence- This is not knowing you don’t know something
b) Conscious Incompetence – This is know that you do not know
c) Conscious Competence – This is know that you know something
d) Unconscious Competence – This is doing something you know without thinking about it. This is the ultimate place to be in any martial art or skill.

If you apply this these skills to anything you are learning you will find great success in the field in question. Kyusho is a great example of this. If you would like to know more about learning Kyusho Jitsu visit on Kyusho Online Course Website

Many of the essay’s I write on this blog are inspired by questions or comments of my students. This essay is no exception.  This Black Belt wrote – ” A black belt is something you become not something you receive. It is also something you can lose..” It is wonderful to see someone having this realization!

Black Belt is an achievement, no doubt about that. This achievement cannot be taken away or diminished from. However, what being a Black Belt really means goes far beyond the mere physical success.  A true Black Belt is something you are, some you become, an awakening, not merely an achievement. With this understanding, yes you can lose it.

Black Belt is a state of mind, it is an awareness, it is true self discovery.  There are many people wearing Black Belts who have realized none of this. Depending on their age and rank this is normal. Self discover and realization goes far beyond that. A true Black Belt knows and understands that it is not about the opponent or the attacker, it is only about themselves. When it is about the attacker it is ego based. It is a win/lose scenario. When it is about self discovery it is about movement only. It becomes about defense, yielding, an ego less victory.

Whenever I talk with Black Belts or advanced students I find it interesting how they focus on the first attack of the opponent. They will fixate on the attack, the punch, the grab, the knife or what have you and the technique they wish to use. The true Black Belt will understand that it is about movement and natural laws, laws that prevent the follow up attack, the second punch, the sweep etc. There is never a choice of technique.

The understanding a Black Belt needs is what the direction of focus is. The focus should come inward, self understanding and self knowledge. The focus is on body movement. When this is understood self defense become simple, uncomplicated and free of technique.  In it’s highest form there is no body contact.

Don’t strive to acheive a Black Belt, be a Black Belt.

True Martial Art study is a melding of mind, body and spirit.  Ancient martial arts texts will often refer to the ‘spiritual warrior.’  But has this part of martial arts training been lost in the last few decades, diluted by competition and the drive for higher and higher ranks?

When I began my martial arts training many years ago one of the first things my instructor dealt with in me was my ‘ego’.  He said that ego had no place in martial arts training. Being since I wanted to become a Black Belt someday I knew I had to follow his instruction to the letter. I let go of my ego, became quiet and started to learn. Our school at that time was very competitive in nature. He was an international tournament champion, one of the best of the times. My first competition was 5 months into training. I lost, a very close fight, but I lost. Afterward he asked me know I thought I had done in the fight. I grumbled and said I believed some of my kicks were close enough and should have been points. He laughed and said, “winners never complain.”

As time went by I discover that the less I was concerned about winning, the more I won. I went into the ring to have a good time and see how many points I could score. The competition became against myself rather than the other guy.  I was beginning to understand the function of my ego.

My passion in the arts was not found in competition. To me it really showed nothing of the true artist, only how good his physical conditioning was at that time. The better shape I was in the better I did in the ring.  My passion was self defense.  As my fighting days came to a close, my passion for finding truth in self defense began to flower.

Often times self defense in a Dojo is practiced in perfect conditions. Your partner of Uki will cooperate as to allow learning of the required techniques.  Sometimes you would have Uki’s that required tremendous force to control, others were very easy and then sometimes your techniques simply fail.  Every person is different, what was the universal thread to put these techniques together?

Soon came the rediscovery of ‘ego.‘ Once again when the ego is silenced the techniques work on anyone.  The wisdom of martial arts training and study is not found in the style that you teach or learn. It is found in the understanding that all movement is universal and that the true advanced study of martial arts is only about movement. The EGO stands still! Ego fights for position. The EGO resists and holds it ground.  In ego there must be a winner and loser, a right and wrong. No mind (no ego) means only to move, move from moment to moment following the Uki’s attempts at control.

Martial Arts and Wisdom are not found in a ring or in a rank. They are found in the understanding of flow and movement. The mind of no mind.

Bruce Lee almost single handedly revolutionized the martial arts around the world and brought it to the forefront in North America. I can remember as a kid going to see Fists of Fury (The Big Boss) at a local theater. I was mesmerized! This movie was quickly followed by The Chinese Connection (Fist of Fury). Finally Enter The Dragon found it’s way to North America, but it was too late. Bruce Lee was gone.

Bruce Lee was an amazing man. He only formally studied the martial arts in Hong Kong for 5 years. He studies Wing Chun under the legendary Yip Man. He stopped to move to the USA to claim his citizenship.

Much legend and folklore surround the life of Lee. The movie Dragon was a good example. The movie was interesting, but not at all factual. Bruce Lee was not well liked when he came to the USA, especially by the martial art community. He was chastised for teaching whites and blacks, giving away ancient secrets to non Chinese. Bruce did not care. Bruce Lee is still a force in the martial arts 38 years after his death.

I think one of the greatest contributions Bruce made to the arts itself in his short life was the idea that tradition need to be changed. In the 70′s, 80′s and 90′s competition between schools for students was fierce. Bruce believed in working with other martial artists, studying their art and incorporating what worked and eliminating what did not. Today the barriers are falling and local schools are working together toward a greater good.

I often wonder what he would be like today at age 70. But that question will never be answered. I thank his wife Linda and daughter Shannon for keeping the memories alive. If you have never seen his movies definitely check them out. Below is a link to one of the only English interview done with him by CBC.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=somo_-oW3N0

Recently there were some postings on a message board on LinkedIn about whether a Black Belt moving to another Dojo and style should have to start at White Belt again. The debate on this forum has raged on since last spring. I never participated, only read about it.

If someone comes from another art to learn my root art of Hon Sang Mu Sa Hapkido I do require that they put on a white belt to start training.  The odd person is unwilling to do this and so we agree to part friends. If they are taking a Kyusho Jitsu Certification Course they are more then welcome to wear their rank in the classes. The question is why and am I doing it?

Back when I first opened my school 10 years ago I would make judgments based on a case by case basis. Some people I required to wear a white belt, others I let keep their rank. There was only one case were I allowed rank to remain that I didn’t regret it. This was a father and son and both are currently 2nd Dan Black Belts in my school.

When someone joins my school and is a Black Belt in another art I let everyone know that they are and what art they have studied. A great example is a 2nd Dan under my organization who is also a 2nd Dan in Aikido.  When someone insists on wearing a Black Belt from another art when they are learning a new art it is only to stroke the EGO. And with the ego in full swing real learning is not possible. Our Black Belt Creed states, Learning Through Humility, by Example. Ego has no place in learning, and to truly learn the ego must be in check. You cannot add more to a full cup.

As always I welcome you comment on this post.

I was in London the other day shooting some video footage with my Kyusho Jitsu teacher Grand Master Steve Stewart. GM Stewart has been a full time school owner operator for almost 20 years (Fulltime). After the shooting we went out to grab something to eat and ended up talking about MMA.

What is MMA really? Well we do have the fighters who are the ones who coined the phrase MMA. But what is it really?

I get a phone call per week from people looking for MMA sport fighting. I don’t do it so I will send them to my good friend Hanshi Mady. But it is interesting that so many of us, even if we don’t train fighters are teaching a Mixed Martial Art.

I have Black Belts in 4 different arts, my son Curt also in 4 and my son Scott in 3.  Curt is currently looking at the study of American Kenpo under GM Stewart to increase his hand speed. But lets face it what he learns will become integrated into his teaching.  The art of Hon Sang Mu Sa Hapkido is an eclectic art composed of about 5 other arts. So really it is a Mixed Martial Art.

Martial Arts is about growth, personal growth not just combat. Yes they were once combat systems, but most fights or conflicts on any scale involve some nasty weapons. It is far wiser to avoid these situation.

Have an fantastic and properous New Year.

With 2010 right on our doorstep it is time once again to look at the New Year with new hopes and dreams. Have you thought about what you want to achieve in 2010?  This year I have several adult members eligible for their 2nd Dan, plus 2 for 3rd Dan, and I am hoping they are thinking about this as we head into the New Year.

Personally this year is looking like a time for promotion in Kyusho Jitsu with a test for 5th Dan. As well as my promotion in Hapkido to 8th Dan.

Why set goals? I have known so many people over the years of my life who do not believe in setting any kind of goal. They also never get anywhere in life. The subconscious mind needs information given to it to do it’s job. Written goals are a way to supply this to it. Thinking about it consciously does not work. We must commit it to writing and reviewing these goals periodically to achieve them. When I revisit my old goals, those set in writing at the end of the year. Most have been reached or at least started.

For martial artists goal setting is of utmost importance. With set goals comes motivation to train and achieve. Overcoming inertia and getting to class is not only good for your physical health but your mental health as well.

Human’s were not meant to be sedentary, which is the way much of our societies have become. With movement come peace of mind and happiness. Along with some of the things mentioned about my New Years Resolution is to continue to be HAPPY.

Often times the general public will confuse martial arts training for violence. My school is in a large plaza and one day I need to go grab some water from the variety store in front. It was a beautiful day so I decided to go in uniform, which I do often. This day there was an older women in the store.  As soon as she saw me she asked me “how to do live with yourself teaching people to hurt others.” I told her this is not what we do. She scowled at me and said “don’t bother to lie, I know what you do.” I replied again, “you should not condemn me when you have not see my teaching?” Her final words were – “I don’t need to see anything, I know.”

I must admit I was pretty shocked at this. But the sad truth is many people in the general population do not know nor understand what martial arts training is all about. The Public School Board of the Province of Ontario has official policy stating “No martial arts training of any kind in the school system.” MMA competitions are illegal in Ontario. At one time full contact Tae Kwon Do was also. Many malls will not allow demonstrations, including the biggest mall in my town. We need to ask ourselves why?

Now personally I have no mission to try to change this way of thinking. I am one man and people will always ‘think’ what they wish. However we all need to make sure our conduct is such that we never fuel these fires of hate or misunderstanding.  All martial arts teachers and trainers need to make their students live by a code of ethics, which will assure the proper public image is maintained. For any martial artist in the public eyes this become 100 times more important.

Now maybe this lady had a problem some time in her life with a martial artist. If so that is too bad.  Being a martial artist is more than kicking and punching, more than winning a title in the ring or at an Olympic event. It is a way of life and a way of thinking. With proper conduct we can attract more people and children to our art, whatever the style we train in. Each day at our school proper conduct is discussed with our students in various forms. Proper conduct is a requirement for grading and promotion.  The tenets, school creed and conduct are taught from day one.

My mentor once told me “you should never practice what you preach, you should preach what you practice.”

One of the beautiful things about social networks, blogs and the internet in general is the ability to keep in touch with people you normally might not see. You make news friends, but you also keep in touch with people who move in and out of your life in general.

One of the reason I created this blog was to keep in touch with former students, people who moved on from the arts for different reasons, but still find the teachings in their hearts. I believe that martial art training is a lifetime path, whether you are active or inactive at the time.

I was recently contacted by a former student who has started his training back up again. This makes me very happy. He was an excellent student and to know that he still thinks of his training with us is very satisfying. People come and go from martial art training all the time. As teachers we hope that we touch their lives in some positive manner while they are with us.

To my son’s and I martial arts is more than a way of providing a living for ourselves, it is a way of life. As long as their is breath in my body I will always be a martial artist and teacher. It is who I am, and I would not want to change this. As you enjoy the Christmas Holiday season this year remember your martial path. It has brought you to where you are today. If you have departed from the path take a look back and realize that it is still with you. The training and experience you had cannot be taken away.

May peace and prosperity be with you…

When you watch one of the great masters of old you can sense the calm in their every movement. It is a thing of beauty to behold. Has this calmness gone from today’s martial artist or is it just hidden beyond our line of site.

Training today in many martial arts has become more and more physical, and less and less spiritual. Today we train hard, stressing our bodies to unimagined levels of fitness. Yet we often neglect the mind and spirit. True martial arts is not only physical, it is also a conquest of the mind.  The body is first honed with training and repetition to develop skills that will respond within a seconds notice.  What we forget is we are using our mind to train the body, therefore we cannot neglect training the mind also.

When we train the mind, we are also honing our physical skills because they are all connected. We are not robots receiving pre programmed information. The mind must respond to the external circumstances and put our bodies in motion.  The best result will come from a centered and calm mind.

The training of the mind does not come from a focus target, nor does it come from hard physical practice.  The mind is trained by the Spirit that is who we really are.  Meditation is the only way to calm the mind, and truly prepare it to deal with the physical body and itself. The most important element that must be overcome for the martial artist is that of the ego. Overcome is really not the correct term either, transcend is much more accurate. When the ego is not in balance the martial artist depends on physical conditioning, age and speed. If the ego is in balance these factors do not matter. Technique becomes only movement with the outcome not being a consideration.

The next time you train try doing a 20 minute breathing meditation first. The difference in your abilities will be a pleasant surprise for you.