The Goode Fyght — Chapter the Fifth
Posted By Randy on May 14, 2017
I have set aside the term “self-defense” as it is presently applied to what can more accurately be described as “fighting”. This is not to cast a jaundiced eye upon anyone who uses the term, for it’s a very specific legal reference to any act of conflict resolution by violent means, and if one would remain unencumbered by incarceration, that must be understood. Going forward here however, we will be treating “self-defense” and “fighting” as two components of a conflict resolution continuum. ~ The Goode Fyght — Chapter the Fourth
Welcome back, stout Yeoman, to this next chapter of The Goode Fyght. When last we met, I left you with the something to think about, and that something appears in the excerpt you should have just reread. The continuum of conflict resolution to which I have previously referred needs must be addressed differently depending on the demographic, but I would posit that the demands of its understanding are universal.
When people sally forth to learn violence, the motivation will have grown from the matrix of their interests, life experience, and perceived requirements. The schooling suited to a twenty – thirty something strapping lad who works the door at a bar will differ from that of a career criminal as much as either will diverge from what’s best for someone seeking to expunge feelings of vulnerability arising from a daily subway commute. At a casual glance, it might be thought that the aforementioned career criminal is what we all should be preparing for, and that would be true as far as self-defense goes — less so fighting — but to look there exclusively is to ignore a world of bad outcomes from negligent or wrong headed indulgence in the foreplay that precedes anyone coming to grips. A lot of situations can end your life in which the only human involved is you, and many will focus on “self-defense classes” before admitting any of those matter.
As an example, think on how your driving skill and attentiveness to your surroundings may threaten your own well being, and that of those you pass, on your way to that first session at the dojo. Mundane? Perhaps, for much of life is just that, and therefore more likely to wreak havoc than any career criminal. That one requires an opportunity while you, goode reader, are an ever present lurking threat. One that can strike your own life down at any moment absent cultivation of mindful self-defense in favour of a single minded focus on fighting skill as the only thing that matters. Who do this are as children, tilting at Death as they ignore the many perils that promise to shorten the road to His door.
Next time we’ll begin looking at these in concert with the other concepts I’ve introduced in previous chapters, as they are being delivered by a selection of Teachers, and the motivations of students who seek them out.
Moving right along.
Always, and not unlike the principles of Irish stick fighting with the shillelagh — Either advance or stand your ground, but NEVER retreat.
Indeed, and which is not to be confused with attacking with rearward motion. Always maintaining the attitude of going forward … regardless of direction
More to follow in the above comment. Many believe that moving in a reverse manner is indicative of retreating. I do not agree, and perchance I would suggest that neither do you. When odd are intell8ibly determined to be overwhelming, there is nothing wrong or incorrect with changing direction of attack and close.
I would use the reverse attitude when necessary to put all transgressors on one side so they can be dealt with individually or enmasse as the case may be.
Too often, those without consciousness of situation will think in terms of being annihilated rather than taking the offensive and destroying targets at will and at random.