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At the heart of the matter is the fact that the universe is a dichotomy. Dichotomy merely means that there are two sides to a thing. Right and left, up and down, and so on into the abstract realm of ideas.
The Martial Arts, of course, represent war versus peace. And, in studying the martial arts, one finds all sorts of other dichotomies. Dichotomies which strike right to the heart and soul of the practice, and even question our right to existence.
The newbie signs up for a course of instruction and is, in a very short while, consumed by the dichotomy of freestyle v form. Does he elect to study techniques designed for the battlefield and death and destruction, or does he study the abstract perfectionism of forms?
Behind this simple dichotomy is the question of control v destruction. Does the student practice techniques of control, which are more difficult to work on the street, or does he practice techniques of destruction, which are quick and easy to learn, but perhaps not in keeping with the philosophy of the human soul. The answer will dictate which way he goes, and what kind of a human being he will end up being.
Then there is sport v art. Should he practice the martial arts for the abstract of art, and be willing to wait perhaps decades for its benefits, or should he practice the martial arts for athleticism and a strong body, and then risk that body in contest? Again, the answer will dictate the very worth of his life, and his direction as a human being.
Really, we are talking mind v matter. Is the body the container of the spirit, or is man an animal? Should he study in hopes of living a wild and exciting journey, and that is the point of it all, or should he study to illuminate the spirit within, and that is the point of it all?
Really, in answering these simple questions, man is deciding his fate. He is choosing to go up or down, and this in a murky fog with no sense of direction. For what is the worth of the human soul, and who is to tell us of the right and wrong inherent within ourselves...but ourselves?
Betides. We choose, wrong or right, we choose. Whether we choose right or wrong, our uniqueness is put up to the light, and it is a choice to be valued.
The Martial Arts, of course, represent war versus peace. And, in studying the martial arts, one finds all sorts of other dichotomies. Dichotomies which strike right to the heart and soul of the practice, and even question our right to existence.
The newbie signs up for a course of instruction and is, in a very short while, consumed by the dichotomy of freestyle v form. Does he elect to study techniques designed for the battlefield and death and destruction, or does he study the abstract perfectionism of forms?
Behind this simple dichotomy is the question of control v destruction. Does the student practice techniques of control, which are more difficult to work on the street, or does he practice techniques of destruction, which are quick and easy to learn, but perhaps not in keeping with the philosophy of the human soul. The answer will dictate which way he goes, and what kind of a human being he will end up being.
Then there is sport v art. Should he practice the martial arts for the abstract of art, and be willing to wait perhaps decades for its benefits, or should he practice the martial arts for athleticism and a strong body, and then risk that body in contest? Again, the answer will dictate the very worth of his life, and his direction as a human being.
Really, we are talking mind v matter. Is the body the container of the spirit, or is man an animal? Should he study in hopes of living a wild and exciting journey, and that is the point of it all, or should he study to illuminate the spirit within, and that is the point of it all?
Really, in answering these simple questions, man is deciding his fate. He is choosing to go up or down, and this in a murky fog with no sense of direction. For what is the worth of the human soul, and who is to tell us of the right and wrong inherent within ourselves...but ourselves?
Betides. We choose, wrong or right, we choose. Whether we choose right or wrong, our uniqueness is put up to the light, and it is a choice to be valued.
About the Author:
Al Case has analyzed the martial arts for over 40 plus years. Examine the Dichotomy of him at Monster Martial Arts.
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