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JosephUK
United Kingdom
212 Posts |
 Posted - Sep 08 2010 : 6:34:50 PM
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i'm looking for a martial art that fits with my ethical values growing from following AYP. is there such a thing or is all violence immoral?
what do more enlightened people do?
What would yogani do?
I believe in the Warrior Archangel Michael and have directly experienced him.
I have a book on a Martial Art developed by Taoist bodyguards in Asia called Ba Gua?
is there such a thing as ethical violence?
(Big question I know sorry) :)
I suppose answers will appear as i continue to practice, but hey I like people :)
Joe |
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woosa
United Kingdom
382 Posts |
Posted - Sep 08 2010 : 7:25:43 PM
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I watched "Alex Reid: Fight of His Life". Which is terrible, but I am unemployed and watch a lot of TV. 
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c3ekCYYHEHE
He traveled to India where he was taught an ancient Indian martial art. Kalari, don't know if thats the system or a part of it.
The flying fish technique sounds funny and looks impressive, but useless in self defence.
I think it depends on why you are violent deems it ethical or not. Theres nothing wrong with defending yourself, but IMO do we need to?
A wise person will more likely avoid conflict altogether. Like don't walk a bad area around on your own at night!
What do more enlightened people do? Everyone is different, I think the same is true for enlightened people. Once you are enlightened you don't grow a beard, walk about barefoot, become a vegetarian and live on a mountain. Least I hope not! You just live your life as you did before, the only difference being you will be..................... don't know haven't got there yet. 
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stevenbhow
Japan
352 Posts |
Posted - Sep 08 2010 : 9:42:38 PM
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| Aikido or Tai Chi maybe? Shoalin Kung Fu? I don't know how effective they would be for self-defense, but all of them promote non-violence. Shoalin Kung Fu and Aikido have roots in Zen Buddhism and Tai Chi in Taoism. |
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Jo-self
USA
225 Posts |
Posted - Sep 08 2010 : 10:15:09 PM
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I remember reading a Castenanda book where the Don Juan character was asked what would he do if someone were waiting for him to do him in. He answered, "I would not show up". LOL!
My humble opinion is most martial arts are very hyped. If it were true, practitioners could use it in MMA tournaments. Yea, I know about the rules that don't let a JKD or Haganah dude pull your throat out and all that. Lets see an Akido master do all that circular stuff, or a Tai Chi one use that Ki to not get stomped on.
The best scene in a movie with martial arts must be in "La Femme Nikita", where the protagonist simply smacks the teacher, not going with the BS. Reminds me of "the guru is within".
As to ethical violence and Enlightenment, wasn't Arjuna told to fight, let loose his arrows upon the field of battle? Sure, it could be symbolic stuff, still. And, the Shaolin Monestery is alleged to have mixed martial arts and spiritual observances.
Unfortunately, there are violent, brutal, and "evil" people in the world. Even if your walk is in love, your path may intersect with one and someone will learn a lesson.
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innercall
Canada
66 Posts |
Posted - Sep 09 2010 : 07:11:10 AM
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Martial arts are also a way to uncover hidden and repressed violence within you that could have gone unnoticed otherwise. Then when you're conscious of it you can simply let go of it. In that sense it is a kind of self inquiry. As my teacher says "Martial arts are not about hurting others, it is about not letting other people hurt you".
I practice Tai chi and I find that it is really complementary to yoga. It merges silence and mouvement and gives opportunity to discover yourself. I guess you can get these kind of benefits with any martial art but in my opinion the most important is to find a teacher that feels right to you. |
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cosmic
USA
821 Posts |
Posted - Sep 09 2010 : 4:28:13 PM
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quote:
Originally posted by stevenbhow
Aikido or Tai Chi maybe?
I agree with Steve. Aikido promotes peace and wisdom to avoid fights whenever possible. Its founder, Morihei Ueshiba, was deeply spiritual.
Some quotes from him:
- To injure an opponent is to injure yourself. To control aggression without inflicting injury is the Art of Peace.
- The divine is not something high above us. It is in heaven, it is in earth, it is inside us.
- Your spirit is the true shield.
I studied Aikido as a kid, and it builds character and self-confidence very well. It's a wonderful discipline
Peace
cosmic |
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JosephUK
United Kingdom
212 Posts |
Posted - Sep 09 2010 : 6:21:11 PM
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cool,
i agree with Peace as the True shield, I have been defended by the active silent witness on occasion and it saved me a lot of bother.
I suppose as i practice i will find a kind of martial art that suites me.
joe |
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Chiron
Russia
397 Posts |
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Chiron
Russia
397 Posts |
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Victor
USA
910 Posts |
Posted - Sep 12 2010 : 05:54:48 AM
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| I have been a student of Northern Shaolin kung fu for a little over a year now and I have to say that it has greatly benefited my yoga practice. On a physical level I found that even though I have quite a bit of depth in pranayama and meditation and am unusually flexible, that my general stamina and overall body strength was not better than normal and the kung fu workout is very strong and mindful and really fills in some gaps in yoga practice. Also, the traditional forms are incredible coordination practices that again I did not start with any advantage even after many years of yoga as it was like learning a new language of the body. Very positive indeed especially since I am now fully in middle age and it is a time to really work on maintaining body strength and stamina or it starts to deteriorate. As for violent impulses I really can't say that they have increased in me at all other than a feeling of more physical self confidence if in a confrontation as I have a better concept of what physical contact in such a case feels like. The comradery in class is excellent and we have no attitude problems and no one would dream of hurting a classmate. Sparring is the biggest challange for me as I don't really enjoy that aspect as much as the forms and sometimes you might get hit unexpectedly and it can take a little time to get back to balance but that is rare. I have not been in a real fight since I was a teenager and don't see any reason to start, but at the same time I don't have the same fear of it that I once had. That said, in a serious confrontation one would always have to consider that weapons might be involved so a calm and mindful attitude would be far superior to fighting skills in such a situation. |
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KoHsuan
Australia
5 Posts |
Posted - Sep 14 2010 : 12:54:29 AM
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| JosephUK, Baguazhang you have mentioned in your post is highly effective in self-defense and excellent tool for spiritual development .. problem is that it is very complicated, takes a lot of time to commit and not really easy to find a good master. |
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Arjuna
USA
69 Posts |
Posted - Sep 14 2010 : 07:35:22 AM
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I have been a long time practicioner of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, and grappling. This sport is very in your face, direct, and forces an individual to survive in the moment.
On the outside, it can appear to be very chaotic and violent (clunky if you will)...but with continuous study, a student can transform the chaos into a discpline of harmonious union with fellow beings.
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JosephUK
United Kingdom
212 Posts |
Posted - Sep 14 2010 : 1:37:36 PM
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this is all very interesting thankyou for your input.
When I was very ill I reached a temporary state of enlightenment where i was so sensitive to my surroundings and my own body i was able to defend myself from zen it's self i'd like to get back back to that point through practice.
i suppose it would be useful to know that i developed PTSD whilst in the middle east, it turned into psychosis (paranoia)
but the point is it was a very threatening environment with the intelligence services about.
the active witness should lead me to the perfect martial art.
Joe |
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Yogic Martial arts?
