On Health, Fitness & Jeet Kune Do

The discussion continues  on the JKD Talk Forum.

I like the sheep-sheep dog-wolf analogy.

I agree with the belief that everyone is born with the survival
instinct but that not everyone is born with the  warrior mindset.  In
fact, I don’t believe anyone is really born with the “warrior”
mindset.  The warrior is forged from a certain kind of socialization,
experiences, and character development.  In my earlier comment I had
briefly alluded to the concept of self as potentially encompassing
something beyond our physical body.  In the case of the warrior, the
sense of self tends to encompass a much larger picture such as family,
honor, country, faith, etc.  When that sense of self is threatened, the
same survival instinct kicks in except that it may not be driven by a
need for food or shelter, but rather a need to preserve the larger
concept.

Take for instance, the example of the Todd “Let’s Roll” Beamer, that
was originally referred to.  Mr. Beamer obviously took the role of the
“sheep dog” and was most likely driven by a basic survival instinct,
however his sense of self at that moment may also have encompassed the
his fellow man or “sheep”.  On a darker note the terrorists that took
control of the plane, may not have seen themselves as “wolves” either.
Their sense of self was probably closely tied to faith and culture,
which in turn, warps their survival instinct into something rather
horrific to those that do not share their values.  It is conceivable
that they too see themselves as sheep dogs.

The concept of self and survival should be a simple matter, but people make it complex.

As for the getting the warrior mindset, I do believe it is something
that can be developed.  Some of us may have an easier time of it than
others due to our individual socialization, and the strength and
flexibility of our psyche/spirit.  At times certain things seem like an
impossibility, but I feel the concept of impossible is just an excuse.

Anyway, that’s just what I think.

In Health,

–
Nhan-Esteban Khuong, L.Ac.
www.SGVJeetKuneDo.com

There was a recent post on the Wednesday Night Group’s JKD Talk Forum that strikes at the heart of self defense training.

You can read the full thread here: Jeet Kune Do Forum

Basically, the poster asks the questions:

1. Would you use extreme/deadly force if necessary?
2. If you think you have this warrior/killer instinct how do you know?

Addressing the first question, I believe that self preservation is hardwired into all living organisms.  At the very least, an organism will attempt to preserve itself long enough to pass on its genetic
material.

Nature has produced many creatures with elaborate methods of self preservation, but human beings seem to have the most variation compared to any other single species of animal.  The most basic form of this killer instinct is simply to eliminate a threat with bare hands and raw, adrenaline pumped rage.

In the case of humans, social conditioning frequently interferes with this instinct.  In fact, many of the dysfunctions, diseases, imbalances, etc., existing today are most likely due to (directly or
indirectly) emotional/spiritual issues stemming from social conditioning.

What’s my point?

Everyone, and I mean EVERYONE, has that warrior/killer instinct to protect self and extensions of self (ie. loved ones. friends, country, god/s, race, etc.)  The real question is, will your social conditioning allow that hardwired instinct to express itself, or will it interfere in such a way that it will be completely suppressed, mutated, weakly expressed, or anything in between.

Regarding the second question, yes.  As for how do I know?  I just feel it.  I’m pretty passive in general, but I know that I would act immediately and with deadly force, if necessary, to preserve myself and loved ones.

As for self defense, training should include a degree of mental/spiritual/social conditioning that will ensure access to the warrior/killer instinct when/if ever it becomes necessary to draw upon.  The ability to harness our primal energy, “emotional content” as Bruce Lee might say, is key.

–
Nhan-Esteban Khuong, L.Ac.
www.SGVJeetKuneDo.com

The Wednesday Night Group in Redlands has been producing short videos for World of Martial Arts TV. Here is a short clip demonstrating an "aggressive defense". I appear in the background holding Muay Thai pads and focus mitts.

Enjoy!

Watch Garage Training - Pad Drills on World of Martial Arts

–
Nhan-Esteban Khuong, L.Ac.
www.SGVJeetKuneDo.com

Here’s a great short clip of original Bruce Lee student, Bob Bremer demonstrating some gap bridging skills using the hammer principle.

Enjoy!

–
Nhan-Esteban Khuong, L.Ac.
www.SGVJeetKuneDo.com

Self defense is one of the those subjects that truly is far from easy to establish a definitive, proven, method.

Earlier, I wrote a post (that included a few videos) about knife defense that was mainly humorous but in a serious kind of way . . . if you know what I mean. You can see it here http://nkhuong.com/blog/knife-defense/

The main idea behind that post really applies to all aspects of self defense, not just knife defense.

Most self defense courses / methods, are based on a very specific understanding of what is needed to defend one’s self. These notions and understandings are as varied as there are people thinking about it.

Almost all of these ideas have value in them and add to the whole. Very few people, however, take into account the totality of the self defense world.

The reality is, that there simply is not enough research and unbiased evidence that points towards a clear path. Self defense and the art of fighting, are not simply about hurting and/or defending against getting hurt. The real challenge is not in the physical aspect of self defense, but rather in the mental and psychological elements.

Most of the information we know about self defense comes from the military and law enforcement. As valuable as the information is, one must consider the context from which it was gathered. Generally, this means war and very specific crime settings.

In war, the psychology of soldiers is very different from that of civilians in self defense situations during peace. Similarly, the mindset of a law enforcement officer apprehending a criminal will also be very different.

Even within the civilian self defense scene, we should consider the difference between a road rage based assault and the sexual predator. We should know the difference between the petty thief lurking in the dark and the religious zealot hidden in broad daylight. This is really only the tip of the self defense iceberg.

As with all skills, self defense also requires practice.

There is no such thing as the ultimate street fighting weekend crash course seminar that will leave you prepared for the worst.

Cultivation and maintenance are essential.

In Health,

–
Nhan-Esteban Khuong, L.Ac.
www.SGVJeetKuneDo.com