Violence and self-defense

In the book of my martial art, a samurai technic school, it is written (just to share something):Just win a victory is not a victory. The real victory is to have achieved the goal of not using weapons, not fight, this is wa (harmony), it is heiho (Art of Peace). In the sutra of the essence of evil passions (zuibonnokyo) it says "make hostility to hostility, it is forever to lose all hope of peace. Oppose him simply serenity, it will disappear of itself .. it is a law that comes from ancient times "

Gassho

Yang Hsin

[ZenHarmony]

...What to do? Since time immemorial people have wondered when the time comes whether they will run towards or away from the sound of battle. I've never known anyone to reach a legitimately definitive conclusion until they've actually been placed in that situation. All the rest appears to me to be largely idle speculation.

Good point, Piobair. Personally, and so far, any time I've been in an emergency situation, I've been deadly calm. I've chalked this up to having previously explored what my options would be, so that there is little need for panic. I was simply requesting clarification so that if the situation arose, I would would react with right action as well as calm.

Gassho,

Lisa

[Shujin]

Thank you for your post, Piobair. I found it to be measured and well reasoned.

Gassho,
Shujin

[Emmet]

I wish I could find the quote, but I recall reading where Miyamoto Musashi considered his greatest victories to be the ones where he did not have to draw his sword. As I recall, he considered being forced into combat to be a personal failure to manage the situation skillfully enough for both parties to walk away. On the other hand, when circumstances left him no other option, he acted immediately without hesitation, compunction, or malice.

One thing which occurs to me is choice and responsibility. I'm a big guy with some formal training in modern infantry weapons and tactics; in a violent confrontation, perhaps it might be best for me to choose non-violence. My wife is 5'2" and 100 lbs with no such background; I have no right to make such a decision on her behalf.

Another thing about choice and responsibility; when I was a paramedic and technical rescue specialist, the First Rule of Search & Rescue was that however dire the emergency you've created for yourself, at the end of the day, everyone from my engine company is going home to their wives and families tonight; no exceptions. I've promised her to come home tonight; and she rightfully expects me to fulfill that vow. I should break that sacred trust for...what?

What to do? Since time immemorial people have wondered when the time comes whether they will run towards or away from the sound of battle. I've never known anyone to reach a legitimately definitive conclusion until they've actually been placed in that situation. All the rest appears to me to be largely idle speculation.

[Nengyo]

Old and boring works!

This is my primary self defense technique now days. Most of my jujitsu moves only get used when playing with my son!

[Heisoku]

Just for the record I have never been 'attacked or threatened' since practising martial arts.
Just for the record I don't go out much at night either as I did when I was younger so the chances of that happening have diminished! Old and boring works!

[Nengyo]

This is an excellent thread with some excellent links, especially for those of us who are still in the military. For the record, I used to study Japanese jujitsu and it also stressed non-anger and controlling your opponent versus pummeling him (if possible of course.)

[Ekai]

I have not heard of any systems that involve anger and if they do, it's not a martial art in my opinion. If anything, martial arts teaches us to let go of our anger and be respectful to others. Learning martial arts cultivates our compassion for others in the world.

Gassho,
Ekai

[ZenHarmony]

And yes, Daido, I mis-spoke when implying that most martial arts involve anger. Having never participated in the practices, that was simply a layman's perception. My apologies.

Gassho,

Lisa

[ZenHarmony]

Thank you everyone for your responses; I am reassured. I will read up on those threads, Jundo, and your post, Tedmac.

In my personal experience, the two times I was attacked as an adult, I responded in anger in one case (with my mother) and just took it in the second (with my daughter who stands almost 6') with absolutely no anger... which leads me to think that the level of compassion felt for the person would be the deciding factor. I would like to cultivate the latter attitude and not the former, so to me that means developing compassion for all, even someone whose intent is to kill me.

If I ever get to a town big enough to offer Aikido, I will certainly start taking lessons, just in case.

Gassho,

Lisa

[Jiken]

Are there any martial arts systems that do involve anger. Anger is a personal choice, a personal responsibility that we must take credit for... in my opinion.

[Ekai]

Hi Lisa,

I'm no expert on martial art traditions, but in my experience I would suggest most would promote calmness and clarity of mind when defending yourself, to be angry would put you at a disadvantage.

Gassho
Gary

Yes, I agree Gary. It is important to stay relaxed. Being tense inhibits your ability to respond quickly and effectively. A calm mind with awareness helps to react wisely.

Gassho,
Ekai

[tedmac]

Is it just me or are there a disproportionate number of Aikidoka here vs. on the average city bus? Anyhow, I, too, practice Aikido (for the past 23 years). I'll go out on a limb here and say that violence in self-defense is rarely if ever justified: with the caveat that our definition of "violence" needs to be adaptable. If I were attacked physically and responded using my martial arts training, the result might not be what I would call violent even if my attacker ended up on the ground with some bumps and bruises.

I blogged on the issue of violence and anti-violence a couple of years back when the monks and nuns of the Bat Nha monastery in Vietnam were being evicted (http://sandworms.org/?p=35); I won't quote myself here, but I will say that we shouldn't (I think) become too comfortable with our definitions of what constitutes violence, or coersion, or self-defense. As soon as we do, we begin to think that our definitions have some independent existence and a whole world of you and me, right and wrong emerges.

Hello Lisa,

Thanks for the question ... it is an interesting topic. I too practice Aikikai Aikido and from my experience, (as I practice with two teachers with two different forms) it comes down to your own intentions. The one teacher I have is a pre-war (more aiki-jujutsu) Aikidoka and the other is a post-war Aikidoka. The pre-war is very much a "Marshall" form based on the sword (we use the bokan or wooden sword) and intended to kill. Where the post-war form is more "Big & Flowing" and based on the Jo (long staff).

Like Heisoku said "aikido also is great for thinking about non-thinking ...".

I enjoy the flowing Aikido as it teaches me to be humble and respectful of my uke (partner). Without my partner I am not able to practice, so I always have their health and best interests at heart.

I hope these ramblings help you out Lisa ...

P.S. I feel that practicing a Martial Art is to help us prevent or de-escalate violence through our own state of mind.

[Khalil Bodhi]

Let me add that I think that defending oneself is not at variance with the above. There's story about Sharon Salzberg being attacked by a man in a back alley and Munindra-ji telling her she should have whacked him with her umbrella with a heart full of loving-kindness (I'm badly paraphrasing so forgive me). Mettaya.