09jacob

Well I started Shaolin Do like 3 weeks ago. I know there is a lot of criticism about the art. I myself dont believe a lot of the stuff. But I would love to know some insight of what people actually think about it. Either way I have to take it for a year. So, oh well.

TTEscrima

First of all this is my OPINION which is what you requested. The Grandmaster of the system claims he was made Grandmaster at 25 years old. There are at least 32 "Masters" of the system in one photograph. All those things are what a good friend of mine calls Bullshit Flags. That being said if you like it, who cares what the rest us think?

Now for a little tongue in cheek commentary on the nature of opinions.

It is MY judgment based on MY knowledge and MY personal experience. It is what I believe, and it is my right to say it out loud, however and where I please. I do NOT have to make you feel comfortable about it, I do NOT have to make sure that your feelings are not hurt, and I definitely do not have to respect YOUR opinion. The fact that I have an opinion means that I consider all beliefs that differ from mine to be inferior. It means that I know more about the topic than you do, that my life has equipped me with better ideas than yours has equipped you. It means that when it comes to the things about which we disagree I am smarter, more honorable, more morally right, more courageous than you.

It means that I am right and you are just Fucking Wrong.

Mike Brewer

...or that you're completely full of shit. Who can tell?

TTEscrima

That's the great thing about opinions, we all get to have one and we're all certain we're right. Which leads to a whole new problem, being certain just means:

1. You are young and/or Inexperienced.
It doesn’t matter what you are being certain about, I can guarantee that your certainty is proportionate to your lack of knowledge. Absolute confidence is borne of absolute stupidity.

2. You are lazy.
You have not taken the time or the effort to actually think about what you are saying. People who are certain tend to adopt their position (on anything) as an emotional reflex, like being afraid of something, for instance. You are afraid of death so you latch onto the religion with the coolest post-life offer, you are afraid of black people so you join the Republican Party, etc..

3. You don’t know any smart people who disagree with you.
I don’t care how smart you think your beliefs are, nor do I care about your rock-solid arguments, I can guarantee you, however, that there is somebody out there who is not just smarter than you, but who believes the exact opposite of what you believe. Pretty much every position on everything has a counter-argument that will discredit it and show its proponents up as fools.

4. You think you are a lot smarter than you really are.
Who the **** are you to be certain of anything? You leave skid-marks on the toilet seat, you can’t park your car properly at least 3 days out of the week, and you are divorced. Basically, you get proven wrong about shit you were “certain of” on a regular fucking basis, so your absolute confidence in any one thing is meaningless. Yes, I’m talking about you.

5. It says that you are an optimist.
You are assuming that something is simple enough that you can figure it all the way out. You imagine that an aspect of life has somehow molded itself into something that your brain can digest. You probably think of lottery tickets as “investments” and yourself as a genius for “investing” in chance. The truth is that everything you believe involves you jumping to a bunch of baseless conclusions, that’s why there is thing they call “surprise”. You have been surprised before, right? Surprise is what happens when you certainty fails.

Tant01

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__________________

"In all countries where personal freedom is valued, however much each individual may rely on legal redress, the right of each to carry arms - and these the best and the sharpest - for his own protection in case of extremity, is a right of nature indelible and irrepressible, and the more it is sought to be repressed the more it will recur."

James Paterson

09jacob

TTEscrima, your not giving me too much help. Your being a smart ass when Im just asking a simple question.

Tom Yum

How about shaolin-don't...

__________________

Love it, leave it or fix it.

TTEscrima

I gave you my opinion of the lineage, Since there aren't any videos of the actual art what more do you want?

09jacob

well, I want people who has practiced the art that still has not grown too big of a dependence on it, so to speak.

kngfu

Is this a Chinese art of a style based on a little of this and that thrown in. The name makes you think Chines/japanese style. Any history in the style? What are the primary forms (katas/poonse/hungs/dances)?

Tant01

Greetings young one.

With all due respect you have fairly committed to the style you want opinions about. That fact alone means anything we may offer is irrelevant. You MUST see the hard laughing humor in the delivery?

Do not be offended by his sense of humor but also do not miss the salt. There are riches to be found in the sea water. (that would be the "salty" old dog TTE)

You asked for opinions, he gave you one. I thought it was a riot.

Getting your kung fu from a young "Master" of something won't really equip you to fight with sticks in Cebu. He obviously thinks you could have done better (MUCH better) but he wasn't trying to hurt your feelings.

Take what you can get from your Shaolin-do. We all must start somewhere.

Or not...

Perhaps you will have exceptional fortune of a highly skilled instructor?

Or not...

Even if you only glean 2% of the good stuff from all the water you sweat.

or not...

What will YOUR shaolin-doh do for YOU?

Keep us posted. I'd like to read more about YOUR experience with it.

Just enjoy it,

or not...

__________________

"In all countries where personal freedom is valued, however much each individual may rely on legal redress, the right of each to carry arms - and these the best and the sharpest - for his own protection in case of extremity, is a right of nature indelible and irrepressible, and the more it is sought to be repressed the more it will recur."

James Paterson

09jacob

Thank you.
I have actually used some applicated some of the forms into practical use from yesterday.
I believe it would be a good beginning point.
But if not I can always quit after a year.
Thanks for your words of wisdom, and sorry to TTEscrima.
I will keep updating.