What are the martial arts really about?

Question

I keep seeing things like "any real martial art incorporates meditation" or "fighting is a last resort in the martial arts"... Does anyone really buy this!? Every martial art was developed as a way to hurt an opponent. Most martial artisits back in the day went around challenging each other to establish their reputations. The samurai ran around picking on the peasants. The samurai and masters of yore were not concerned with finding peace so much as they were concerned with being able to kick the *** of anyone who they came in contact with. Martial arts when boiled down to there essense are about the combat. Finding inner peace and everything is all good and well but don't lose focus of what the martial arts were and are really about...

So... What do you think the martial arts are really about and why? Why do you train?

Answer 1

it's to complicated to explain here and going by your question you really dont understand.hey but even ppl that think thier martial artists dont either.martial arts is a way of life,its a complete lifestyle choice,it's not about who can fight and who cant.fighting doesnt even come into the equation.its a mind set as much as it is a physical thing.

Answer 2

This question is way to broad for one answer. The truth is everyone has their own answer. I practice martial arts because I enjoy it in general . Also I do it because I am honored to be able to represent my style and also I like to fight without the whole hatred and anger of normal fights that completely ruin the expieriance. Honestly some of the martial arts I study were designed to be a sport (muay thai), and some were designed as a last resort to situations where you have no choice and while I don't know if you are telling the truth about the samurais picking on the poor I do know that when martial artists traveled around fighting with each other it wasnt about reputation. Its about completing your art so you can fight in any situation. What you need to understand is that although in a real fight its about hurting your oponent when you fight with another martial artist its more of an art based on the mind and rythem. As far as the reason I train is that I can one day become a Sifu so I can gain respect for my arts.

Answer 3

Well... Everyone will have a different answer and everyone's answer would be correct, because that's what it is about to them.

However, since you brought up the Samurai and the feudal era's of Japan I just wanted to say you have erred. The "samurai running around picking on peasants" idea, is the same as saying military people run around randomly torturing and killing people. It's just their way of life. While some samurai, (and military) have done this a time or two (some not all) it is not the norm or the reason. If you are talking about the Bushido, warrior's code. Then martial arts is simple. Martial arts is about service. The literal translation of Samurai is "one who is in service." The serve the emperor, the serve the villager's living in their town, they serve the people around them. That is why they were elevated to high places of respect, because they placed themselves underneath everyone in humility and service. They were the "father" figure of the village. As such, they were men above men. They studied martial ways because of feudal wars, and also as a way to teach conviction, moral fortitude, devotion, commitment.. all those things that make men of character.

I think you're confushing Samurai, with guys who learned sword technique and ran around in hakama and kekogi later in time. Just normal people who could use a katana and took the name as their own. They were not born and raised as samurai, they simply decided they would be one. These people led rise to the large "challenge" era.. where walking the walk needed to be proved because of so many poser's talking the talk. Look around, it's not uncommon, see the same today in our youth. Martial arts for Samurai and for many Japanese styles is about a way of life.. but it's more so about educating the mind, hand, and heart. It's about becoming men through a rite of passage.

Answer 4

I train for self defense and improvement of myself. People have many views on what the martial arts are. My personal belief is that they are for fighting and defending ones self. I don't worry about what others think, I have my own beliefs. I do understand where they are coming from though. It's a personal decision, not one that can be decided by others.

Answer 5

Martial-arts is the journey in which a man must face not himself as one, but as many. It is something that will help you learn self-discipline and control, it helps you learn to focus your anger and maintain good health. but it is more than that, you have to find it

Answer 6

it's called MARTIAL arts. If martial arts is about not fighting, then it's just dancing. You can learn how to not fight without taking martial arts.

P.S. You pretty much have the samurai summed up well.

Answer 7

Please refer to my site
www.krackedskullz.com
If you scroll down to Rollerblade Page you will see pics of me jumping in blades. Now I know my jumps suck compared to some I have seen, but keep in mind I had a broken neck 14 months prior, had fusion done and had to have cadaver bone used as my discs were gone. Choy Li Fut got me back going strong. I am in my 50's and well I train hard still in MA and etc etc etc. I know it is all due directly to Choy Li Fut
When I was lonely I did forms and weapons, I made many, many friends in MA on the streets messin around. All due to Choy Li Fut.
Martial Arts are alot more than Punching & Kicking

Answer 8

its all about personal perspective. nothing in life can be the same for everyone. just as you must find your own way, you must look for your own answers.

for me its all about perfecting massive damage on anyone who wants to find out why I like to be by myself. why bulshit myself and pretend to be mystical. I want to make sure I have a better chance that the enemy of walking away.

too many people here havent lived enough to know that we are no longer in old days asia. why have honor for those that have none to you? honor is not being humble, it can be self defeating, as it only works with itself, not with rogues.

its all about the hurting.

Answer 9

The journey in which a man must face not himself as one but as many!