P.U.R.E Progressive Uninterrupted Rapid Execution

[ncgf]

Eric,

Thanks for the reply. NCGF = Non Classical Gung Fu (I train with a long time student of Jese Glover).

I was wondering who you trained under..Where did you learn your JKD and Kali? How is your DGC different than regular JKD?

Sorry about the professor question. I did not relaize that it was used especially by JKD teachers. I thought that title was only used by college professors and Brazilian Jujitsu teachers.

[Tant01]

My first thought...

Hmm.

Given recent events, my friend, I'd pay attention. And look both ways before crossing the street.

It's possible that Fate is trying to tell you something.

It's also possible the guy was a complete fruit bat, and he did it just because he knew it would mess with your head.

Yeah... like that. "Do I still have my wallet?" LOL

[PFSofPA]

I gotta tell ya. I'm not feeling this whole thing. Sorry, but it sounds like self-promotion. Same present, different wrapping.

[fire cobra]

I gotta tell ya. I'm not feeling this whole thing. Sorry, but it sounds like self-promotion. Same present, different wrapping.

I have to agree,from the outside thats how its coming over.

[Eric Bentzen]

I have to agree,from the outside thats how its coming over.

I have to agree with you, because from the "outside" people and I do this myself perceive things as they want. Remember don't judge the book by the cover, and sometimes things are worth looking into.

Now if you are comfortable were you are and display what I am putting out as the same ol thing. I hope nothing but the best to you and whatever journey you choose to take your journey in.

[Guest]

Eric,

I'll be straight with you, and do so on the understanding that my view is probably of little importance to you.

I thought your first post made some pretty bold statements. My response was a probing one intended to make you qualify your points. In truth, I thought your response was more of a retraction on your claims as opposed to an affirmation, and I was left somewhat unconvinced.

I have absolutely no doubt that you have great background in the arts and their application, we share the same teachers, and Mike's endorsement of anyone is good enough for me. However, as a marketing professional if I had to critique your approach it would be, to echo PFSofPA, that something is coming across as trying to be branded unique that really isn't, a very common fault in martial arts promotion. I would also add that many people are turned off by self given titles of authority such as Professer, it can smack of self importance.

Let me add balance by saying that you have handled all questions and feedback thus far with grace and humility, and certainly from my point of view I am still keen to hear more. I also look forward to some youtube footage, as I tend to rate people on how they move.

I hope you don't mind some honest feedback. I have no problem with self promotion and I say fair play to anyone who says this is what I have to offer.

[Eric Bentzen]

Eric,

I'll be straight with you, and do so on the understanding that my view is probably of little importance to you.

I thought your first post made some pretty bold statements. My response was a probing one intended to make you qualify your points. In truth, I thought your response was more of a retraction on your claims as opposed to an affirmation, and I was left somewhat unconvinced.

I have absolutely no doubt that you have great background in the arts and their application, we share the same teachers, and Mike's endorsement of anyone is good enough for me. However, as a marketing professional if I had to critique your approach it would be, to echo PFSofPA, that something is coming across as trying to be branded unique that really isn't, a very common fault in martial arts promotion. I would also add that many people are turned off by self given titles of authority such as Professer, it can smack of self importance.

Let me add balance by saying that you have handled all questions and feedback thus far with grace and humility, and certainly from my point of view I am still keen to hear more. I also look forward to some youtube footage, as I tend to rate people on how they move.

I hope you don't mind some honest feedback. I have no problem with self promotion and I say fair play to anyone who says this is what I have to offer.

Michael first and foremost thank you for writing, your view as well as anyone that brings a question or something to the table is of importance to me.

As to my response I am humble in saying I am not a writer and try to convey my emotions and feeling in words and online, something I need to work on I can freely admit. So to that I am sorry if I did not do it justice.

The professor thing I best can explain as this. I was very respectfully called Sifu by my student's and Instructors I certified. When I left and went ronin it always bothered me, I prefer to be called Mr.Bentzen but as well western titles such as Professor or Spanish (Spain Influenced) Maestro fall more into the category of myself as I am not Asian and it actually means nothing. Let me explain this further much like to me a certificate does not mean anything to me but a piece of paper. It is a "name" just to be called something to establish respect. But pay it no mind for it is only a name...

As a Marketing thing, I can go 50/50 with you on this one. I do agree that the course I am currently taking can turn people off if nothing is shown. I also have thought to good length as to how to approach this ongoing issue.

The best course would be for me to input on other thread topics and that way you all might read my thoughts which reflect to what I am teaching, this not only get the threads pumped with all our views but I think it is a way to get you guys informed per say.

I honestly don't mind feedback, I truely value what people have in there thought's and no one of us is perfect so I am constantly a White Belt.

[Guest]

Thanks for the response Eric.

Many people on forums don't really step up and contribute, they just sit back and wait for others to do so, then jump on their posts with self-important negativity. I catch myself doing that from time to time, I hope I haven't on this thread. You have come on here and made a contribution, started a topic of discussion, and shared (at whatever level you are currently able to) your art and your beliefs. Fair play to you. And, unlike others who do that and then get precious and shitty when people dare to challenge them, you have accepted all feedback with maturity and good grace.

I have a lot of time for your approach, and will say again that I look forward to seeing more of your art, and hearing more of your views.

[PFSofPA]

Eric, I'd be most interested in your approach to teaching mindset, since I believe it is THE hardest thing to effectively teach. I don't mean it can't be taught, but mean it is the hardest thing to get a student to make the transfer to.

As for me, I'm a non-traditionalist disregarding titles and above all bowing in my classes. A different approach, maybe, but it's me.

[Eric Bentzen]

Thank you both for the response, sorry for not posting earlier. I will chime in later and try to post some information on some threads.
Cheers.

[PFSofPA]

I'm looking forward to your response.

[PFSofPA]

That's really the way to do it, Mike! I've found that mindset differs from students raised in a city environment as opposed to the suburbs. The city boy is more apt to engage while the suburban guy isn't. I have been successful in tapping into primal rage by having the student imagine confronting someone in their hallway outside the bedrrom in the middle of the night. Also, the image of protecting one's family on the street. Still, most students find it difficult to A) strike first and B) go totally apeshit on this guy who's about to tee off on them.

Jim

[Eric Bentzen]

That's really the way to do it, Mike! I've found that mindset differs from students raised in a city environment as opposed to the suburbs. The city boy is more apt to engage while the suburban guy isn't. I have been successful in tapping into primal rage by having the student imagine confronting someone in their hallway outside the bedrrom in the middle of the night. Also, the image of protecting one's family on the street. Still, most students find it difficult to A) strike first and B) go totally apeshit on this guy who's about to tee off on them.

Jim

Mindset.
This is something DGC works on of the upmost importance. Example: I had a student over, new to the class. He has trained here and there in a few other arts but nothing serious as he has never felt that something would happen to him.

I was working over some techniques and some drills, he would not mentally "be" there or engage. Now mindset.. This is but one facet so please I use this as one of many ways but it was amazing how he transformed.

I got him in the clinch and began moving him and with him, I began to tell him that right now if he was walking into his home and saw a man walking towards him and in the background his wife naked, raped, bloody, screaming!

He snapped and w/o really thinking he not only intensified and made his intentions known to me he actually almost split my lip.

I sat him down and could see the Animal in him, I brought him back to himself and welcomed him to Dark Gift Concepts. He paid for a few privates in advance since that class and told me thank you for making him realize that precious things in life are taken for granted and so was trust in other men.

[PFSofPA]

As a huge fan of Geoff Thompson, I usually let my more "reserved" students read a couple of his books. Having been a bouncer for years, I relate to him, although bouncing in Britain is a little more severe than in the states. I think Geoff highlites rage, reaction, and pre-empting the attack better than anybody out there. His writing on the adrenal dump and its effects are absolutely on the mark!

I use his work sometimes as a guidline for discussing mindset.

[Eric Bentzen]

You ever read the one-act-play "The Zoo Story" by Edward Albee?

Yes I have thank you.
Sorry for not being very active on here. I have had A LOT on my plate lately.