Avoiding Defeat and Death

Avoiding Defeat and Death: The Forgotten Purpose of Martial Arts

“Avoiding Defeat and Death” – such a concept might sound ominous, yet it precisely encapsulates the essence of martial arts. We seem to have forgotten this fundamental truth; why we practice, why these ancient forms were developed. In reality, martial arts were designed as mechanisms to ensure survival and avoid defeat or death at the hands of oppressors.

Reflecting on the origins of martial arts, we find societies facing imminent threats and challenges. In response, they developed techniques and philosophies aimed not just at survival, but at enabling the individual to rise above and overcome adversities. As writer G. K. Chesterton eloquently put it, “A blow from a hatchet can only be parried while it is in the air.” Martial arts provide us with the skills to not only deflect these blows but anticipate and neutralize them.

Fast forward to our contemporary age, and we find martial arts often detached from these primal roots. Instead, we see it in competitive sports, fitness routines, and action movies, often losing sight of the fundamental purpose: to avoid defeat and death.

The relevancy of this original purpose becomes strikingly evident when we examine current societal trends and the challenges we face. Increasing violent crime rates, political instability, and the personal and societal implications of the recent global pandemic remind us that martial arts’ protective ethos remains a valuable tool for navigating life’s hatchet blows.

The pandemic, in particular, has highlighted our collective vulnerability and the need for resilience. In response, many have rediscovered martial arts as a path to both physical health and mental fortitude. This return echoes martial arts’ original ethos and underscores the enduring relevance of their purpose.

In a time marked by social unrest and the global call for justice and equality, martial arts also serve as powerful metaphors for resistance against oppressive forces. Yet, these oppressive forces are not always as straightforward as they may seem.

Today, we find ourselves navigating an increasingly complex landscape where the lines of oppression blur and cross over. On one hand, there’s the palpable growth of ruling class control, with an increasing influence exerted on our daily lives, thoughts, and actions. On the other hand, we face the threat of violent groups like Black Lives Matter, who, under the guise of advocating for change, resort to forceful measures to impose their own ideologies.

These are the hatchet blows of our time – from both the governmental control and from violent ideologically driven groups. The principles and techniques of martial arts offer us a way to parry these blows, standing our ground against all forms of oppression and coercion, just as they were intended to.

In the context of our modern world, martial arts offer an avenue to reassert personal power and autonomy. They equip individuals with the tools needed to resist diverse forms of oppression. Martial arts’ original ethos – survival in the face of adversity – can empower us to remain steadfast in our convictions, safeguard our personal freedoms, and ensure that our actions are guided by our beliefs and principles, not swayed by external pressures. Much like an unexpected attack from an adversary, oppression often strikes swiftly and without warning, yet rarely without some sign of its impending arrival.

Historically, societies under the yoke of oppression have conceived and developed martial arts as vital tools of resistance. The Zulu people of Africa, for example, utilized stick fighting techniques, while the Filipinos developed the art of Eskrima. These weren’t merely combat styles; they symbolized their cultural identity and an unyielding will to survive under oppressive circumstances. These societies, among many others, crafted these systems in response to the unique challenges they faced. They bequeathed us with these tools, and it’s up to us to adapt and apply them effectively to counter the distinct forms of oppression that we face in the contemporary world.

Reconnecting with the origins of martial arts compels us to reassess our motivations for practice. Are we merely chasing belts or trophies, or are we truly embodying the spirit of these arts, founded on survival, resistance, and resilience?

When we practice martial arts with an understanding of their original purpose – to avoid defeat and death – we gain more than physical prowess. We cultivate an inner strength that enables us to face life’s challenges, be they societal, personal, or physical. The philosophy of martial arts continues to offer us tools for survival and resilience, fostering wisdom and strength in our ever-evolving world.

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