Philosophy

[Fred Claus]

I was talking with a retired cop who is beginning to train in Taekwondo and he was talking about the philosophy and his personal philosophy of the martial art. From what I can gather the art of Taekwondo has a philosophy that stems from Korean religious beliefs but ultimately it says

"the philosophy of Tae Kwon Do seeks to bring students to a level of consciousness known as “Present Time.” This occurs when one is completely in tune with oneself and nature to the degree that ones actions and reactions are always perfectly coordinated with the forces in life whether that be in the sparring ring, in a social setting or even when alone. Such a person cannot be made upset by anything it encounters in life. True masters of Tae Kwon Do are noted for their serene personalities, which stem from their living in Present Time."

Is there a overall philosophy for Krav Maga like this? What do you all say is your martial arts philosophy?

 

[marques]

I would need a while to find the right words. But this ‘Present Time’ philosophy is very close, if not the same, to what I am (or was) looking to achieve in martial arts.

This is nothing esoteric. You think, you’re in the past, you slow down, you’re hit. The future is yet to come, and unpredictable. Only the present matters in martial stuff (eventually the same for other sports, but in a war [mindset] loosing is [potentially] dying, there is no next game).

In the centre of the war (read fast sparring or fight) I find peace of mind. No thoughts, only observing myself moving, if I can follow the pace.

 

[Fred Claus]

I was thinking about a philosophy for when I train people in my future school. My goal is to help people stay in shape and to be able to defend themselves. From what I see here I like the philosophical approach they say here but I think mine would be in plain English and say something like.

"To empower my students to feel self confident in everything they do. To feel like they can accomplish any task set before them, no matter if that is academic, social, or physical. To not be intimidated by any situation. The student will know that they can not control the world around them, but only how they let the world around control them. Students will also know that they have the power to end any confrontation by voice or force, whichever is required."

 

[Headhunter]

Krav Maga philosophy is. If you feel in danger run, if you can't run fight. If you fight make sure they can't fight again

 

[Headhunter]

Or to quote my favourite book character right now jack reacher "hit them hard, hit them fast, hit them often

 

[Kung Fu Wang]

My goal is to help people stay in shape and to be able to defend themselves.

To help your students to defend themselves, you can teach them:

- avoid,
- escape,
- ...

To help your students to protect their family members, friends, strangers, ... you have to teach them how to fight.

 

[Kababayan]

From Imi Lichtenfeld (Krav Maga): "So that one may walk in peace."

 

[_Simon_]

Love it. Yeah am right into this stuff, and I mainly train for these deeper reasons.

I don't do Krav, but it seems every martial art has a slightly (or majorly) different emphasis. Some far more strictly self defense related, some more physical/sports related, others more spiritual..

Wouldn't say I have a specific philosophy, all the stuff I read, study and meditate on flows right into my training, but any training you do that brings you out of conceptual thinking and into being/presence is good stuff. And it's definitely more of an experiential thing, you can't figure it out, but it's right in the training. I wouldn't even say it's concentration as such, but a particular focus of attention that brings about a different way of being. It's incredible what you learn in that place, and training becomes totally effortless.

It's a deep awareness and sinking into the present moment, which is all there is. A total acceptance/surrender. And funnily enough, even thinking about the past/future doesn't take you out of the present moment, because it's only IN the present that you're doing so! There's no escape haha. So the more you deny presence is how suffering comes about.

Not many schools openly teach this stuff (not any that I've come across anyways), so I just try and apply it in my training.

 

[JR 137]

I was thinking about a philosophy for when I train people in my future school. My goal is to help people stay in shape and to be able to defend themselves. From what I see here I like the philosophical approach they say here but I think mine would be in plain English and say something like.

"To empower my students to feel self confident in everything they do. To feel like they can accomplish any task set before them, no matter if that is academic, social, or physical. To not be intimidated by any situation. The student will know that they can not control the world around them, but only how they let the world around control them. Students will also know that they have the power to end any confrontation by voice or force, whichever is required."

Seems more like a mission statement to me than anything else.