Chapter 71: Commitment

The problem with much martial arts training is it has become too technique based (thinking the technique will do it for you) instead of 'a technique is nothing more than a means to an end.' YOU must have other elements -- especially commitment. 

In every facet of martial arts and karate especially as they may apply to self-fense defenses. Their can be no doubt, there can be no hesitation to act and there cannot be any mental obstacles and influences that would result in any hesitation what so ever. The instant you start to think, of anything, you mind shifts from auto-pilot to the human slow thinking doubt infested monkey driven emotionally stunted thinking resulting in - a pause. That pause is where they will get you every time.

Commitment: the state or quality of being dedicated to a cause, activity, etc., think dedication to taking actions without hesitation; think of a total and complete devotion to the entire spectrum of self-fense; think having faith in you and what you can do and what you are capable of; think of your personal pledge to yourself to go the distance so you can act in your own self-fense while maintaining your stability and stance in the self-defense square. Think of it as your duty to yourself, your family and your tribe that does not allow for failure. Think of your duty and liabilities as you seek the knowledge, understanding and expertise so that when you act the acts are appropriate to get the job done. Do I need to continue?

Techniques are part and parcel to the entering and wholehearted study of the fundamental principles of self-fense, i.e., theory, physiokinetic’s, TECHNIQUE, philosophy, self-defense and chemical dump. Techniques are tools that create the stepping-stones to achieve proficient application of principled based multiple methodologies and appropriate force levelsto remain safe, secure and free. 

Give yourself permission to commit to actions appropriate to any conflict and its potential violence. Give yourself permission to set aside social conditions so that you may act while justifying that set of conditions. Your commitment, as well as other elements necessary for self-fense, must have your mental permissions in order to act without hesitation. 

Such commitments must be without exceptions for those tend to come from social conditioning and the monkey’s desire to take control and run the show. Commitment to avoidance, commitment to de-escalation and commitment to actions as stated. 

Quote-Note: “Remember, its important, commitment is not aggression, don’t assume aggression is commitment.” In my mind aggressive behavior is a tool and coupled with commitment and the proper levels of aggressive behavior is what I would strive for in self-defense.