Five Most Important Aspects of MA-ist?

[IBOPM]

I don't think that a person should fight suppressing all emotion however I also don't think that passionate feelings assist in combat in most cases. Remaining calm is essential to success in combat; relaxing regardless of if you are happy, sad, mad or afraid.

Your last sentence is exactly what I meant. To control your emotions. Obviously you're not gonna feel passionate about your opponent. But emotions are important in that you must be able to control them. And I wasn't talking about Anger. Its using your emotions and trying to bring out the "grace" of CMA. It does help. It helps you perform techniques more accurately and in a more relaxed yet controlling manner. I speak from experience.

[KotoRyu]

1) Adaptability
2) Discipline
3) Awareness
4) Persistence
5) Patience

[Tjang]

Killer instinct

First and foremost is the killer instinct.
1) Killer instinct- also mental/psychological toughness. ...

Hi Darrianation:

Ok. I believe a killer instinct is very important. Is it something that we can learn to have, or is it something that is given by birth? Please tell me more about it, please. Thank you.

[Tjang]

A Problem of emotions: fear

Dear bbbb, Ibopm, Oreanor, Simon, and Tant01:

You have all mentioned a very vital part, that is the mental issue of a combat: emotion!

Oraenor mentions the importance of having COURAGE (not anger). But if one doesn't feel courageous, what should he do? Should he embrace the feeling of scare (as mentioned by bbbb)? Will it solve one's problem if he embraces the fear?

Simon also mentions that we should stay “calm”, and Ibopm mentions that we should control and channel our emotions. It is very important, but it is just DIFFICULT sometimes, or perhaps most of the time. Tant01 also mentions “calmness” and “being relaxed”.

Please help me with this question: how can someone have that calmness and controls over weakening emotions? Especially when someone faces another person who is very fierce, and doesn’t want to have any broken bones, a bleeding nose, for example. In real life it will be even worse, one can lose his sight, or even life.

I have an instant idea that only those who have been in many fights (or even in jails for fights and murders) and who have no families and career to worry about, can really feel calm when they really have to fight. Sorry if it sounds exaggerated, but I really want to learn from your points of views. That's what this forum is for for me. Thank you.

[EmptyneSs]

intelligence

self control

humbleness

confidence

awareness


the top 3 are the least of what i see in martial arts.

[Oraenor]

Dear bbbb, Ibopm, Oreanor, Simon, and Tant01:

You have all mentioned a very vital part, that is the mental issue of a combat: emotion!

[COLOR=DarkSlateBlue]Oraenor mentions the importance of having COURAGE (not anger). But if one doesn't feel courageous, what should he do? Should he embrace the feeling of scare (as mentioned by bbbb)? Will it solve one's problem if he embraces the fear?

COLOR]

the third point states emotionless, switching the mental and physical form to auto piolot mode when fighting.I dont think courage is an emotion, its just the ability to act whatever happens.

[Tjang]

How to increase courage?

Dear Oraenor,

Thanks for repointing to your third point, which is emotionless: switching the mental and physical form to auto pilot mode when fighting. It's a very good point.

I agree that courage is the ability to act whatever happens, and I am still meditating on your point that it is NOT an emotion. If it is not, then what is it? How to have a bigger courage? I look forwards to your answer.

[IBOPM]

Interesting points.

However, I still stand on the side of emotions. This is because emotions are part of human life and a part of every one of us. It just doesn't seem right to deny a part of oneself. I can't explain it, but I FEEL strongly that emotions are required. I think that it makes the difference between a cold-blooded violent monster and a martial artist.

[Tjang]

Emotions

Hi Ibopm,

On the other hand, your point seems very logical and human too. I still have not finished thinking about your and Oraenor's ideas about feelings. For the time being, I probably should think that both ideas contain truths in them, probably each is applicable in different situations, but I cannot figure out the answers yet.

Thanks for giving me such a great point to ponder.

Putting yourself into autopilot mode seems okay, as it means not letting ourselves be overcome by feelings of fear or too great a pity. It doesn't mean we should do some harms on our practice-peers either. But in a real street combat against a murderer perhaps we should pity ourselves more than the killer. And so on.

Embracing the feelings inside our human nature seems a good idea too, especially as you mention "trying to bring out the 'grace' of martial arts, and making the difference between a cold-blooded violent monster and a martial artist".

Meanwhile, I think you have both raised a good point for me (or for many of us?) to consider, or perhaps to try during our practice.

[jcmack]

I think emotionlessness is wrong. I believe that having strict control over your emotions is vital if you are referring to the mental aspects of it. You gain this by exposing yourself to the same violent and dangerous situations that you will be exposed to in real life conflicts. Alter your training when you feel you are ready to more closely mimic the situations not just physically, but mentally as well. Once you have exposed yourself to these situations enough, the feelings you get will begin to be more familiar. Familiarity with emotions is the first step to control of emotions. To be in a conflict and immediately go from defensive and protective to having the mindset of a killer is critical. Especially if your enemy also has the mindset of a killer.

[bbbb]

re: is courage an emotion

I would say courage is a description of a battle against emotion's!?

Triumph of the will. It describe's action that is applaudable- rather than an emotion. There would be no courage if it were not for emotion!!?

Would there not?!

[bbbb]

...

...a choice to use attack as your indestructable spiritual strength!!

[Tant01]

Here ya go

Under the stress of fighting for one's life emotions have little if anything to do with your desire to live. It's pure instinct. You can improve on your instinctive responses by training under similar conditions to the actual event. We have the core brain functions of primitive reptiles under the effects of adrenalin. There is nothing we can do about it but try to use it to our own advantage while taking advantage of the weaknesses that it will induce in the enemy.


See "The Anatomy Of Fear and How It Relates To Survival Skills Training" by Darren Laur C. 2002 Also research John Boyd and the so called "OODA loop"

Or not...

Fear might be related to emotion but at some base level it's self preservation and that's in all of us and instinctive. IMHO

http://www.lwcbooks.com/articles/anatomy.html

And;

http://www.lexnotes.com/misc/johnboyd.htm

[Tjang]

Thank you

Dear friends:

I am here reading your great ideas. Now I have some homework to think about and some websites to check. I like this job.

I agree to what Jcmack wrote:

You gain this by exposing yourself to the same violent and dangerous situations that you will be exposed to in real life conflicts.

Just a simple question: how can I gain that experience while I live in a place that no schools offer that kind of experiential training? I shouldn't put myself into the real trouble, I supposed?

[bbbb]

of course..

Dear friends:

I am here reading your great ideas. Now I have some homework to think about and some websites to check. I like this job.

I agree to what Jcmack wrote:



Just a simple question: how can I gain that experience while I live in a place that no schools offer that kind of experiential training? I shouldn't put myself into the real trouble, I supposed?

.. a good question.

the emotion's part is..so I'm told... so you can get used to feeling your feeling's and not freaking out when they arise in combat!

...yes..being a better person is part of it aswell!