Can I ask you both would the techniques you use be different due to that mindset change, I mean particularly within a fighting/defensive situation do you think? If so, how? and if not, does this imply that how you think is more important than what you do in that fighting or defensive situation? Thank you very kindly, Jx.
I don't think techniques would be too different. At least, I wouldn't think so. I'm no self defense expert but, with all that adrenaline going through me, I can't help but think I would react different than if I was in a calm state of mind. I've made the personal decision to
attack instantly if I perceive a serious threat. I think I would move on the first opening I saw with the hardest, most fight stopping move I could muster at the time, followed by a flurry of whatever next thing I could throw first. Not give the other person the chance to do so much as think about how to react.
But that's only my guess as to how I would behave in that situation. I don't know for sure until I'm there.
I would definitely say that your mindset is just as important, if not more so, than your skill. It affects your thinking ability and fighting behavior. If for example, you feel that your
defending yourself from someone you think you have little chance against due to their strength or skill, it will be apparent. I've read about "decision failure" where the black belt is trying to decide the best move to use, and in the middle of that, POW he gets socked with a sucker punch and a haymaker.
That, versus an serious belief that you need to overcome your opponent, and that you
can....the difference is apparent.
And then there's even legality. What you really believe you're trying to do could get you in trouble if you rely on the wrong thoughts to guide your actions.
you are interesting to talk with.. you have an empathy to see people as people.. Do you think your empathy for another might be a hindrance in a situation where you must defend your self against them? or is it rendered irrelevant in the shock of that circumstance?
I believe I understand what you mean about self-criticism and I take your view.. I think it is one commonly held by most.. and but I think if I were to critically assess my self I would not be doing quite the same thing as if I were being self-critical in the way it is generally meant. To my mind being self critical is to appraise ones self negatively almost to the exclusion of any thing that might be otherwise considered positive.. to disclude those potentially positive aspects.. Maybe to critically assess I would feel was more objective and account for good and bad.. How does that sound to you? I mean to be self-critical is like hating on your self.. i think that is the phrase..
There is a wisdom in how you would deal with your hypothetical students.. it is plain you have been in or through certain personal situations and have not left them behind without learning from them.. I like this.. it is the sage way to journey.. And yet you do not teach, perhaps you do not have the opportunity? though you have said ānot even closeā.. that would make me ask what is it that creates distance between you and teaching? Thank you again for your view and thoughts, Jx.
You have a interesting and insightful point. I don't know if I could ever armbar someone or do something of similar brutality. No matter how dangerous the situation was. No qualms about pounding them though.
In a similar regard, I don't know to what degree I could prevent myself from getting involved in something in a way that perhaps I shouldn't.
You've hit the hammer on the head about how I think about self criticism versus critically assessing yourself.
I don't teach for a couple of reasons. Firstly, I don't think I've reached a point where I should be teaching. I do feel that I can explain things to people that don't know, but not to have students. I have tried to teach some people with casual interest about some basics, but those have been rare occurrences. I think I still have plenty of learning to do myself. Case in point, I don't have a belt. In anything. Quite unfortunately, I'm a self trainer. I've been training at home for a long time in ways that I can. I'm well aware of the many shortcomings. Can't help myself though. Gotta train. Gotta discuss. Actually, I would wager I'm more aware of the shortcomings than most everyone here. I don't feel like getting into that though. It's a really dead end conversation and pointless discussion. I'm not going to argue in favor of self training. It's terrible. Although, the common perception does seem to be that it's much worse than it actually is. You
can progress, but you have unlimited obstacles. You need to figure it all out on your own. Which, for some things (like pressure testing), is impossible. I do have the advantage of knowing an someone who used to be pretty good at Shorin Ryu Karate and Boxing that I can run stuff by. And the internet, for various questions I might have. Most recently, this site is my new favorite source.
Anyway, having recently graduated, I'm very close to getting a job and joining a TKD school at a YMCA that's a minute away from my college. Something I'm very eager to do, because I've been looking at opportunities to go to a school for my whole life, but circumstances have not allowed it. On the subject of exactly how terrible self training really is, I'll see when I make it to that school.
