The non-aggression principle is an ethical statement about the initiation of force. Essentially, it states that the initiation of force against another person is wrong. This principle does not mean that self defense is wrong. If someone initiates force against you, you have every right to defend yourself. If someone is obviously going to initiate force against you, you have every right to preempt that force initiation.
Lately, I've done a lot of thinking about this principle and about how it applies to my martial arts practice. I came to the conclusion that my martial arts practice could act like a vehicle to apply this principle consistently throughout my life. All of the old masters wanted karate to be more then just an art for self defense. They wanted it to be something that you could use to cultivate a better personality, a better life. I think this ethical statement relates directly to the cultivation of self defense skills and, when applied broadly, will lead to a happier and more peaceful life.
I'd like to use this thread to discuss and blog about various examples of how this principle can be applied and maybe turn some of the lessons of karate into metaphors for personal development. Aloha.
Lately, I've done a lot of thinking about this principle and about how it applies to my martial arts practice. I came to the conclusion that my martial arts practice could act like a vehicle to apply this principle consistently throughout my life. All of the old masters wanted karate to be more then just an art for self defense. They wanted it to be something that you could use to cultivate a better personality, a better life. I think this ethical statement relates directly to the cultivation of self defense skills and, when applied broadly, will lead to a happier and more peaceful life.
I'd like to use this thread to discuss and blog about various examples of how this principle can be applied and maybe turn some of the lessons of karate into metaphors for personal development. Aloha.