A Hypothesis

[sensei8]

A) A hypothesis is a proposed explanation for a phenomenon. For a hypothesis to be scientific hypothesis, the scientific method requires that on can test it.

 

B) Proposition set forth as an explanation of something, often as the basis fo further investigation.

For our conversation here, I'd like to propose a hypothesis.

The MA is a voluntary process or act, if you will, because we're, the human body, not born to do the MA.

At best, we've adapted the MA and everything that it is to our frame. Therefore, 'I' do not hit; 'it' hits all by itself.~Bruce Lee.

Still, the process of the MA remains a voluntary act, no matter howmuch training birthed the automatically honed reactions; the off-spring of an untold amount of training.

It took, and it takes, countless years to "master" the MA, both in context as well as in content. And while we will never truly "master" the MA, with proper training in the methodologies and ideologies of the MA, we construct an amazingly effective weapon.

We learn to harness it, nourish it, control it, express it, mold it, and when the time and moment demands of us, we unleash it.

If "I" do it, then the process/act must be voluntary. Inasmuch, if "It" happens of its own volition, then the process/act must be involuntary. However, if the process/act doesn't occur because of my premeditated intents, the subconscious triggered by the summations of "why" and "because" could be a simple case of muscle memory.

It's possible. Stranger things have happened.

Whatever the hypothesis final rulings might or might not reveal, I believe this...If it works; leave it alone! If it's not broken; don't fix it!

Imho.

Your thoughts please.

[cheesefrysamurai]

The way i see it:

The training is voluntary (so that) application becomes involuntary.

The real question is "what makes martial artists endure, and struggle to achieve mastery of something we never want to truly apply."

Thank you

[bushido_man96]

Well said.

[Lupin1]

I think the human body is partly born to do martial arts. We've been fighting since the dawn of man. It's in our blood. Studying martial arts, for me, is partly about embracing and developing that side of my humanity. How to defend yourself is skill that is very human and learning to do so is something humans (mostly males) would have learned throughout history.

We can go on "autopilot" and our "lizard brain" can take over in taxing situations, but we're still doing it Our brains will always control what we do. May not always be the higher function part of our brains, but it's still us.

[cheesefrysamurai]

If we were doing this purely for defensive or offensive reasons we would all just take krav maga.

We want to grow, become more then ourselves.

We want to harness or tap into something that exists within us.

These aren't martial skills, they are called martial ARTS for a reason.

the definition of Art: The expression or application of human creative skill and imagination

I would say the the definition of Martial art is: A warriors expression or application of human creative skill and imagination on the battlefield

[Harkon72]

I've said it here before, and it still rings true;

A Tiger fears the Power of his enemy - The Dragon only fears what his own Power can do.

[cheesefrysamurai]

I believe those words will always be right

I've said it here before, and it still rings true;

A Tiger fears the Power of his enemy - The Dragon only fears what his own Power can do.

[sensei8]

The way i see it:

The training is voluntary (so that) application becomes involuntary.

The real question is

"what makes martial artists endure, and struggle to achieve mastery of something we never want to truly apply."

Thank you

First of all...Solid post!!

My answer to your question above....Survival!! Of ourselves as well as our fellow man/woman!

[bushido_man96]

If we were doing this purely for defensive or offensive reasons we would all just take krav maga.

We want to grow, become more then ourselves.

We want to harness or tap into something that exists within us.

These aren't martial skills, they are called martial ARTS for a reason.

the definition of Art: The expression or application of human creative skill and imagination

I would say the the definition of Martial art is: A warriors expression or application of human creative skill and imagination on the battlefield

This is a little off track, but the definition of "Martial Art" is one that tends to get interpreted the way the person describing it wants to interpret it. Many will lead to the fact that if they aren't doing a style as a "do" with all the spiritual growth or personal stuff included, then it isn't a Martial Art. I tend to disagree, and feel more like the word art was thrown on the end to complete the term. It wouldn't make sense to say, 'I do Martial.'

[cheesefrysamurai]

There is something to what your saying.

I train for preparedness

I train for expression

I train for knowledge

I know what you mean about the word art - IMO it was more likely intended to translate to what we would consider science. It feels like an art because of the finesse that comes with practice.

As per my sensei, I trained jujutsu as an application of science of physics and anatomy and body relation