The modern day mindset.

As the modern day attention span decreases, as we become more reliant on technology, as we become more, 'domesticated', the traditional, or rather, 'ancient', arts start to become more and more obsolete. With the advent of MMA (mixed martial arts), the old ways of battle field combat, street warfare and old school pugilism seem old hat, impractical, and are viewed, generally, as a waste of time. This is true, to an extent, having largely to do with the invention of guns. If you REALLY want to, 'defend', yourself, you get a gun. Plain and simple. I am often asked:

Q: "What do you do if someone points a gun at you"?

A: "I get shot... Or, I don't".

It's just that simple.

Most of the styles surviving today are based on practical, no nonsense street, or, military combat techniques that have survived for hundreds, or even THOUSANDS of years. Why? Because, until the invention of guns, they worked. They worked so well that they are still in existence today! There are no bad styles, only bad teachers/practitioners. There is no, 'best style'. That is ridiculous. That is like saying that there is a best language, fashion, or food. Whatever style works best for that person, is the, 'best', style. I've studied with quite a few of the biggest names in kung-fu today, and it was an absolute honor, but the, 'style', they taught just wasn't for me. I learned a lot from them, but it just wasn't my thing. And, at the same time, I've studied styles that I LOVED from mediocre teachers. While the teacher lacked in actual pedigogic ability, it didn't mean that the style was inferior, just their teaching ability.

Today, as we rely on quick, less-than-three-second cuts on television, movies, three minute and thirty second radio songs and instant everything, the ability to learn ANYTHING properly comes into effect. In my early days of martial training, we'd do boring, repetitive drills, over, and over, and over, and over... and OVER again... and again...

Like one of my first teachers told me: "Do it until you HATE it! And then do it some MORE"!

That's good old fashioned muscle memory setting in my friends. I'd train and train, spar and spar. Mindlessly at times, frustrated at other times, but I didn't ask questions, I didn't complain, and it all paid off in the end. When you chose a teacher, you are giving them full license to do what they want with your training. You must put full and complete faith in your teacher, his/her teachings, and the methods they chose to forge your body, mind and spirit in the fires of your will. Otherwise? Go get a gun and hit the gym. Save yourself the time, and save your teacher the effort of teaching someone who has no patience and in the end, doesn't deserve to learn martial arts. Learning martial arts is a PRIVILEGE, an honor and a gift. At one time, these styles were only passed down in temples, to family members and emperors. Now? It's: 'First month FREE! Free shirt on sing up! And family fun discounts'!

Sigh...

I understand this though. We are no longer in the days of the Mongolian hordes, feudal Japan, Okinawan resistance, warring Filipino tribes or Korean warrior knights. It's a business, we're capitalists. I get that. We're in the time of bombs and guns. MMA rules the modern day mind set, even dwarfing the need for good old fashioned street fighting. And, yes, to an extent, it's true. If you're in great shape, box and wrestle on a regular basis, you'll beat the brakes off of the average inept street idiot. BUT, when you go up against a hard core, traditional, bare knuckle street fighter with hands akin to iron from punching rocks thousands of times on a daily basis for a decade, the MMA training becomes a handicap. I'm not going to tumble and grunt with you on the ground, I'm going to gouge your eyes out, rip your ear off and even bite you. One of my hits is like being hit with a chunk of flexible metal, or stone, and, is, potentially, fatal, if I so desire it to be. I fight to, 'survive', not to, 'win'.

Learn a thousand moves, master three.

This is the essence of basics, this is the essence of traditional training, and this is the reason, in our modern day, 'instant everything', mentality, that the traditional arts are dying. Those who have the patience, dedication and determination to study in the old methods/ways, are the cream of the crop, and the last hope for our beloved arts.

The next time your find training, 'repetitive', 'boring', or, 'frustrating', take a second to appreciate that you are learning something more valuable than gold, and that your are part of history and upholding a part of human culture that less than one percent of the entire world will ever have the privilege of learning. That's good old fashioned muscle memory setting in. Give yourself a pat on the back, and go thank your teacher.

Remember: "There is no advanced technique in ANY style, only advanced TECHNIQUE".