Recovery is a very major part life and of our art Flea. People are attracted to Systema for many different reasons, many of which they may be unconscious of. The art, the training methodology, the people, the results, speaks to them and attracts them. Often there is a weakness or imbalance that needs addressing that rests or boils below the surface. These might be written on the body, manifested in behaviors, or expressed verbally, often hidden in plain sight. One of the really cool things about our art is that the training strengthens these areas and balances out our psycheÂ’s during every drill and exercise.
Three years ago you came to find Systema as method to address fear. The fears were legit, earned, and honest. They were a survival mechanism that helped you survive very difficult times and circumstances. In the three years that you have been practicing Systema you have I think learned better survival mechanisms. More than that you have been given tools to face future bitter and difficult circumstances that if used and maintained will see you not only survive but to thrive, not despite those circumstances but because of them and your new ways of navigating through them. As important these very same tools have started healing the past traumaÂ’s which brings up further challenges which will be addressed further below.
We often see people come martial arts fearing physical conflict, they wish to learn to defend against a mugger. Once they learn those skills they then leave the arts. It is not necessarily sad. They came seeking to address a fear and once they no longer had that fear they moved on. It is a victory for both the student and the instructor leaving both stronger and better for the relationship and interactions. Same with those that enter the arts to achieve a black belt, or win some trophies. After this is accomplished or achieved to their satisfaction they move on. In my opinion it is natural and beneficial and should be recognized and acknowledged as so.
But as hinted at above there are further challenges. This is not just a Systema thing, for example the arts that are belt orientated experience this challenge between brown and black belts when many students leave the arts just prior to achieving the black. This is when truly difficult work and insights starts to happen. In Systema, these issues are addressed from day one but often below the surface in the background deep within the many layers of the drills and exercises. We attempt to strengthen the students whole psyche so that they may better face and address these issues when they pop up. And if training continues they will pop up, it is uncomfortable, confusing and healthy to deal with them in training. If training discontinues, well the issues will still pop up, how they are dealt with depends on the person. Many deal with them through self medication, some ignore until illnesses brought on force a dealing with.
Learning how to punch and kick is simple. Learning how to lock and throw is simple. Working on strength and flexibility is simple. Working on speed and timing is simple. All are beneficial and could easily be a lifetimeÂ’s work. It is a type of work. There are other types of work as well. Thinking in terms of types of work rather than levels is a better way of looking at these things in my opinion as all are intwined and weakness in one hinders others and strengthening one strengthens the other areas of study/work. Learning how to address past traumaÂ’s is simple, learning how to address fears is simple, learning how to address spiritual weaknesses is simple, learning how to address mental imbalances is simple. All the above from punching and kicking to helping with chemical and wiring imbalances, while simple they are not easy. All will require lots of purposeful work and attention. It is not a easy path but it is beneficial. Beneficial not only to the individual doing the work but just as importantly beneficial to our communities.
Why address past traumaÂ’s if they are so buried? Well, nothing stays buried forever, past traumaÂ’s leave marks and scars. These marks and scars are out loud and public but like the little marks on a treasure map not all who see understand. Like a buried treasure, past traumaÂ’s can help us deal with future traumaÂ’s. Dealing with past injuries strengthens, like fixing a damaged bridge. Sure it was just a bit of damage but fixing it is obviously a good thing to do. Not only that but by dealing with past traumaÂ’s in a safe and supporting environment gives us examples tools and experiences to deal with future traumaÂ’s.
Once this experience is felt and the understanding gained then, even if drama/trauma is never again in our own lives, it will be in the lives of those that are around us. Help might not be possible but understanding and empathy is and both often lead to help.
Sorry for the long post. You perhaps came to Systema seeking protection. You sought and received physical tools to offer you protection from physical threats. It might be enough and time to move on. Three years ago you also had fear of personal contact. Physical illness at that contact. Today you are grappling. This is such a VICTORY. Perhaps this is enough and it is time to move on. If so, stand up and huzza, you have made great strides where many falter or fail. It is up to you to look and find your purpose and motivation. Is Systema you passion or your purpose? If it is your passion then perhaps the journey is nearing itÂ’s end. Passions without purpose are hobbies and can start and end with little or no regrets.
But, perhaps as I suspect, Systema can be combined with your purpose. You are involved in the mental health field. You seek to be a healer. Learning to combine your physical training, your passion for the art with your purpose (helping guide others to a better place) will benefit both worlds. Start to see what the training you are doing is effecting on a different plane, different level, different type of work all found within the same drills and exercises.
In September we are hosting Vladimir up here in Seattle for the Systema Combative Body seminar. Highly recommended that you try to attend Flea.
Warmest Regards and good luck
Brian King
J/K. Try teaching now. It is a different side of things and if you help kids it is really rewarding.
