SELF-DEFENSE 1

If you study self-defense for four years and learn all the techniques for the rank of Black Belt, yet you never practice, you will have only the knowledge and how to do a given technique. However without practice your skill at applying techniques will be lacking. A black belt with just knowledge without skill is NOT a black belt. Knowledge without skill can be dangerous. It is for sure lacking Wisdom.

The same can be said of someone who can pass the written test at the DMV to drive a car, yet has never been behind the wheel or actually driven an automobile or truck. This is only an example of incompetence. About the only thing worse than knowledge without skill is not even having knowledge or skill. Let's go up a level. The Mental level is vitally important in self-defense. Even if you have knowledge and skill, if you're too frightened to apply yourself to the occasion "you're roadkill." The mind in training for personal protection is necessary. In a fistfight or in a tournament you must be able to concentrate, otherwise you will be unable to apply your techniques. Forgetting, because of nervousness, often gives a body stage fright or a freeze up.

Ok! Now we are ready for the Big one. Spiritual attack is the most-often used against all of us. Not having the knowledge to recognize a mental attack is bad enough, but not knowing how to defend against the wiles of the enemy is like fighting blindfolded or with your eyes closed and ear plugs in you ears. The same can be said concerning Spiritual attacks. If someone is not educated as to the contents of the Bible, there is little hope of successful happiness and a joy-filled life.

Let me use the automobile to illustrate my meaning concerning how we take care of ourselves physically, mentally, and Spiritually. Or I should say how we "DON'T" take care of our bodies known by many folks as the TEMPLE of the Holy Spirit. Our situation would be like if we purchased a brand new car. Then without reading the manual about how much air to keep in the tires, and what kind of gas to use regular or a higher octane, or even reading how much oil to put in and how often to change the oil, we might run amiss somewhere in the future by not knowing when to tune the engine or rotate the tires. In other words our maintenance would be lacking and the car might be worse for the wear and tear. Taking proper care of an automobile will give it longer life and better gas mileage, not to mention less breakdowns.

Our bodies are somewhat similar in upkeep. The better care we give ourselves the longer life span and the healthier we are. Mentally IF we are aware that smoking, party hopping, night clubbing, womanizing, substance abuse, overworking, extreme sports that endanger the life of its practitioner, any thing that produces too much Stress, disappointment that turns into anger, which in turn produces depression, and then anxiety, all in all this kind of living often leads to death sooner than God had planned. Our freedom to choose is often to our demise. Intelligence is not always in the best interest of the beholder. Using myself as an example I was once tested in College to determine what my IQ was and to my astonishment it turned out that I scored a whopping 185. Which I'm embarrassed to say proved that stupidity could come from being a Genius. My not being aware of the manual of life, I had a little physical knowledge of how to live properly, however I didn't follow the instructions very closely. Which resulted in my mental and physical impairment. Boy, did I learn the hard way.

By my NOT taking time to read the instructions of how to maintain my physical, mental, and Spiritual bodies, my human maintenance was lacking and believe me I am paying the price. Like an old car it cost more to keep me running than I would like to pay. My frame (spine) is bent, my tires (feet) have to be rotated or changed (shoes). I need a tune up more than I can afford (high blood pressure). Thank God for insurance. And my motor (voice) sounds like a tractor. My battery (heart) is weak and my transmission (nervous system) needs top grade fluid to keep from stripping my gears (joints) to name but a few examples or comparisons. You see, when I don't read the manual of how to maintain MY body, I paid a large price for my negligent behavior. Now I need a Mechanic (medical doctor) to keep me going.

So, now we come to the Owners Manual. The author of that book is none other than God Himself, and that is the best you can get anywhere. If you're not a Christian, know this, Martial Arts like Religion has some good ones and some bad ones. Self-Defense is also a situational effective field. Many methods or styles are different, thus everyone has to choose which of the styles or religions he or she will study. There is still the attitudinal or "how much do you want it" process to deal with. If you practice what you believe ,you will be better at it than one who doesn't.

So whom do you love? Will you choose to study a Japanese style, or how about a Korean? Maybe you prefer a Chinese style? Then there are the different styles within the system. Shotokan, Goju-Ryu, yes, I know most of them come from Okinawan background, so what? Judo and Aikido. In the Korean ring there is Tae-Kwon-Do, and Hapkido, Tang-Soo-Do, and from China there is Kung Fu, and the many styles within that. Choy-Li-Fut, Drunken style, Crane style, and so on. Religion is similar, with Catholics, Protestants and the many styles within the protestant believers. Baptist, Methodist, Assemblies of God, and then First Baptist, Second Baptist, Four Square, Calvary Chapel, on and on.

My purpose in all this is to open your eyes to see the reality of what Self-Defense actually is. The Human Being is different from an automobile, however, the similarities of maintenance are not so foreign. Both are necessary for longer existence. Or if you will, LIFE. Be it car or human, both are better served if properly cared for. So, if you choose a martial Art school that teaches an inferior style or has an instructor lacking in knowledge and Wisdom you may progress well, but to what avail? You may be a black belt in one martial Art, and according to their requirements be considered to be great. However, a student of another style might be only a Green Belt and have the skill and technique to defeat you.

The same might be said concerning different religions. Except in this section your Mental and Spiritual existence is at stake. If you practice a certain karate style and lose in a tournament, that is no big deal. However, if your religion is lacking you stand to lose a lot more. Your upkeep maintenance could take a terrible toll on you life. The incorrect Spiritual understanding will always weaken your mental ability to overcome adversity. Strong Spiritual knowledge brings forth great Wisdom, and that in turn makes you a formidable opponent for ANY adversary, be it Human, Mental, or spiritual warfare.