267. Training in the Martial Arts

The main principle of training is this :

If you do not consider a few minutes' training worthwhile and if you think the chance of being assaulted is small, then you are one of those people people who encourage thugs to attack. No-one will be able to help you should an emergency arise.

Strength, though used in a refined way, is necessary in combat. Learn also to move back and forth like the bamboo in order to dissolve the strong wind of the attack.

Neither gentleness nor firmness alone is enough. It is the two fitted together that form the Way.

266. Alertness

At all times be alert, even when "off duty". Be like a submarine in peacetime - a submarine is always at war.

When walking anywhere, do not daydream. Feel your feet on the ground and keep your listening large. Keep an eye out for those who might be following you or lying in wait for you. Listen for approaching footsteps and watch for shadows.

Keep to the outside of the footpath or the centre of a lane. This maximises the amount of ground the opponent has to cover in order to reach you, gaining you valuable reaction time.

The success of an assailant's attack depends on surprise. So if you are sufficiently alert to neutralise the surprise, your counter will be very successful.

If you detect an attack, you can make plenty of noise and concentrate on doing damage. Noise demoralises your opponent. In Martial Arts, this is known as the Ki or Qi shout.

When attacked, immediately apply your most powerful and effective weapon to the most vulnerable point that is exposed on the opposition's body. Be ruthless.

265. Pain as the Spur to a Counter-attack

When, in combat, your opponent breaks through your defense, and lands a blow, you will feel pain. Pain is your friend. It is essential to ignore the negative aspect of pain (the fact that it hurts like hell) and instead of giving up, use it as a spur to your counter-attack.

In the psychology of an assault, your attacker only thinks of causing you damage, and rarely, if ever thinks of what you may do. When you launch an effective counter-attack, you will cut down his ego by 50%. Follow up immediately and get busy to finish the fight...hard.

264. The Wonder of the Ordinary

Dan Millman once said "There are no ordinary moments." Always value the wonder of the ordinary - to see the world in a grain of sand. Work on letting go. Hack away the inessential to reveal the Truth. Proper cultivation runs to simplicity while half-way cultivation runs to ornamentation. Study the arts of Ikebana - Japanese flower arranging and Bonsai to help with this practice.

Do not strain yourself (distort yourself) by twisting to conform to someone else's pre-conceived pattern.

263. Conservation of Energy

Do not waste your energy gratuitously. Over-exertion and over-development of muscles and organs are detrimental to your health. Rather you should seek to conserve your energy; always be moderate without going to extremes.

Let your movements in exercise be harmonious. Begin with Meditation, then a round or two of Tai Chi. Fit your movements harmoniously to your "opponent."

Learn to cultivate the art of detachment. Learn to not interfere but to follow the natural curves of things.

Let the thoughts you have and the emotions you feel when in front of an opponent pass like the reflection of a bird on still water.

Let not your feelings be sticky or blocked.

Accept yourself and go with your nature, not against it.

262. Self-Sufficiency

Devote yourself to becoming self-reliant and self-sufficient. You must never rely on the external rating of others for your happiness. Remember that Happiness is the journey, not the destination.

Hold yourself in reserve. Be quiet and unassuming without the least desire to show off.