Does anyone ever stop for some personal introspection

[Hermosa]

I like to stop by this forum from time to time and see what everyone's latest topic to BS about is. So funny to me, how every single thing is some sort of ego based, narcisistic rambling.

Who's style is better, what technique is best. How can I be an ultimate streetfighter? Gracie lover, Gracie hater, time limits, blah blah.

If anyone took even one full minute to really think about it they'd find, that if they are truly, TRULY worried about personal bodily harm from an attacker then they should purchase a firearm and learn to shoot and be safe with it--Not that I believe this is a good idea--but I'm just pointing out that people who really have to face significant life threatening danger..use guns.

A much better option if you are not currently faced with imminent life threatening danger, would be to take time for some delicious personal introspection and observe in what ways you have become a slave to your ego. Then look to see how and why this ego has possibly caused you to make enemies with certain people instead of friends. You could then begin a blissful process of transforming these enemies into friends. Talk about real self-defense...no enemies, no threat.

In order to do this you'd have to have a very mature understanding of your own ego. And that my friends, is the true reason behind training in real martial arts. Self-Knowledge.

Anyway, just a thought.

[Ryu (JKD?)]

Very few people here will take that post seriously. Just watch. Be ready to be called a fruit, a fag, etc.

[gregimotis]

Just like in real life.....

The people who do the most thinking also do the least talking.

[Tupacalypse]

Streetfighting, or at least a person who has never tooken Martial Art's of any form in his life, will most likely base his fighting upon his ego. I've seen videos, and actual real life fights in which the two opponents immaturely took a challenge just for the sake of increasing their ego/popularity in school.

However, there are people out there who will just start shit to claim the most hungry title of, "strongest". It's foolish. Martial Art's is an art of philosphy and self-defense. As you train along, you learn a meaning of what life is. And you learn just how precious life. I know from experience in which I was threatened. I use self-defense, meaning I will not take the first strike unless its absolutely neccesary.

[OmaPlata]

I always carry a gun in my vehicles. Not playing games with people wanting to fight in traffic, if it happens when Im walking around or whatever, the fights going to the ground....and as my instructor always says "when you get the guys arm in a street fight, you break it"

[Patrick G.]

Originally Posted by OmaPlata

I always carry a gun in my vehicles. Not playing games with people wanting to fight in traffic, if it happens when Im walking around or whatever, the fights going to the ground....and as my instructor always says "when you get the guys arm in a street fight, you break it"

As a Texas CHL holder, I always carry a firearm on my person AT ALL TIMES (other than at work, against the rules so I have to keep it in a car safe). I carry it on myself even while driving because if for some reason I get pulled from my vehicle, it will be on me...

But you are very correct. Firearm training and carry should be a part of every serious martial artist's curriculum (that is, the sane martial artists.. )
but I believe that effective empty hand and knive training should be equally stressed..

[Hermosa]

Wow..you guys completely missed the point. But oh well...

[Nick]

How exactly did you expect people to react?

[danfaggella]

i respect what he says, i like most of what he says.

and i know what he wanted us to get out of it.

his comments were directed twords people like patrick who say "baddest mutha you'll ever meet". people need to see that there is very little practical aplication of martial art out of competition, because we have firearms/ect (which i dont plan on owning because i dont need them, im never in conflict). people often train as if thy are preparing themselves for some epic one on one hand to hand match that determines the fate of the universe. they train because they want to "Be prepared" wen they are in fact causing most conflict with this egos bashing around.

i try to stay away form this. i am into martial arts for some reason i cant put a finger on, i didnt get beat up and say "aw man, im gunna train until i can beat THEM up", and i didnt watch a bruce lee film and say "i wanna kick ass and be a BIG MAN lik him!", i have just always been interested. when i fight i fight for the love of learning about body mechanics technique stenth ect... not to vent anger and get better at "kicking ass". many people dont reflect, but i know it is important. i beleive that through fighting you can learn allot about yourself, and i DO beleive that you better know a man by fighting him, it opens people up in many ways.

dont get me wrong im not totally on this guys side, he seems to be putting an umbrella on us, but i think he has VALID points.

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i am NOT the baddest mutha' you will ever meet

[Patrick G.]

Originally Posted by danfaggella

i respect what he says, i like most of what he says.

and i know what he wanted us to get out of it.

his comments were directed twords people like patrick who say "baddest mutha you'll ever meet".

lol... I see you like my sig...sorry guy, but it wasn't in any way directed towards this post..IT'S MY SIG! but it's all in fun...

aniwaz, you seem to have one thing misconstrued about me... maybe it's because you took my sig as part of my post, and thought that I was saying that "i'm bad, don't mess with me"... but in actuallity, my ego is very much in check...just because I possess a CHL, does not mean I walk around thinking i'm a tough guy...what it does mean however, is that I am prepared, if need be, to use deadly force... as someone said before, any martial artist or wannabe martial artist need to realize that there are differences between, "fights", "streetfights", and "ambushes"... you have to ask yourself, "which one of these do I REALISTICALLY train for? do I train for the ring? do I train for a one on one confrontation in a bar (an "ego" fight) or do I train to PROTECT MYSELF AND LOVED ONES IN ANY SELF PRESERVATION SITUATION THAT MAY ARRIVE? If you are realistically trying to train for that last option, then you had better learn how to use and carry a firearm! as simple as that...

[HtTKar]

whats CHL?

[dkm]

Originally Posted by OmaPlata

I always carry a gun in my vehicles.

isn't that illegal?

[Patrick G.]

Originally Posted by HtTKar

whats CHL?

concealed handgun license...

[Patrick G.]

Originally Posted by danfaggella

people need to see that there is very little practical aplication of martial art out of competition, because we have firearms/ect (which i dont plan on owning because i dont need them, im never in conflict).

ohh, BTW (and please don't take this as a personal attack on you, as it's not entirely directed towards you , but...) what it boils down to, is ALL martial arts are about conflict...i mean, think about it...you are training yourself to learn how to inflict harm on someone else. The need to do so may not be there for most of use because while most of us practice this sort of "controlled violence" or "play violence" we call simply "training" or "martial arts training" (which of course incorporates sparring), we rarely need to use this outside of the training hall. But don't fool yourself. Because, ultimately, the martial arts, (although some systems are more watered down than others), are all about inflicting destruction...

The firearm, and the use of the firearm, is simply a tool...just like a screwdriver...just like a hammer..just like a bo...just like nunchucks...just like escrima sticks...But, it's not "pretty" and "flashy" to use, so most martial artists neglect it, when it fact it's one of the best tools they can learn to use...

[Patrick G.]

I don't know where I was going with that post, but ohh well... lol