Kyle-san

Samurai is derived from the Japanese verb for "to serve". They tested their weapons on criminals, random peasants, basically anyone below their social level that they chose to use at that time.

As it's already been said, it gives people a common ground which can make conversation and socialization that much easier. I know whenever I find out that someone has taken a martial art, or has a tattoo, or one of my other interests I make sure to talk to them about it.

I'm ignoring your first post and going right to the video game question. Mitsurugi is my favorite for SCII, with Taki, Talim, and Xianghua close behind.

And, yet, meditation can be a great way to focus on the class before you begin or it could be a good way to focus on what you've just learned at the end of class. Either way, that's still a valuable part of practice. From a certain perspective, of course.

In a competition, that's just dirty. In an actual fight, that's a good way to think.

Hm. I was just letting you know from a perspective of someone who's been inked a few times that it'll be especially painful. There are other places you can get inked that will still hurt a fair bit, but won't be quite that rediculous. Anyway, I was more making an observation than insulting or questioning your choice.

Wow, the swimming was pretty impressive tonight. I'm looking forward to the gymnastics, wrestling, boxing, and judo myself.

Good luck. The stomach is supposed to be one of the most painful places to get inked.

That's an incredibly broad question considering the different variations and styles of both Kung Fu and Karate.

Now, without this seeming like I've taken offense I'll be asking a question or two. How do you know it isn't worth the time if you've never tried it properly? Can you say with 100% certainty that there are no benefits?

Out of interest. I liked what I had read, and wanted to see if I could do it.

I've got a tiger around a yin-yang on my right arm. The kanji for "honour" on my left shoulder, and a crane on my left arm. Currently on my back I have a dragon, two fu dogs, and an outline of a phoenix. My plans include getting a second phoenix on my back, and then adding in the background so my entire back is finished.

That's an overly arrogant thought that'll get you into more trouble than it's worth.

Markusan, since I've written the article I've had the chance to read a bit more into Zen, including Thich Nhat Hanh's Zen Keys, and I'd tend to agree that it was the pacificts that introduced Zen and caused it to flourish. However, in the context of popular culture, the examples I've given are more recognizable. That's a fine opinion to have on the example of non duality, however I was attempting to write this for an audience with little to no understanding of either Zen or the intricacies of martial arts. Just because an example isn't the best doesn't mean the concept can't be expressed. In any case, this is a less mature bit of writing, there are a few revisions I'd make if I were writing it now. As for the rest of the comments, thank you for your interest. I didn't even know this was still here until recently.

If I can go without fighting, I do. However, that doesn't mean I'm not prepared for that situation.