One topic that people always seem to bring up when I mention martial arts or fighting is that it seems so violent. They ask how someone as mellow as me would even like such things because it seems chaotic and just plain angry.
Truth be told, I find that the martial arts are what gives me patience with others, patience with myself and a good solid sense of inner peace. I've heard the same from many other martial artists when we talk, too. It is a common thread; we are chill because we fight. On a related note, many of us are pretty much pacifists when it comes to daily life and violence simply because we know how to diffuse situations and wish to avoid physical confrontation (yes, that was a jab at those who claim we're all bullies, because we are not). Let us not forget that the martial arts did also start as a spiritual exercise (at least many Eastern martial arts) derived from physical forms of Yoga that were brought to China by Bodhidharma. They are an external way to find, cultivate and maintain inner peace.
What most people will never understand, because they have not experienced it, is the connection with both one's own body and being able to read another person's without fail. I've had this happen on a few occasions, mostly during forms work, playing in the roda and when sparring. An example I always show is a video on my Facebook page where within about three seconds it looks like my partner in the roda and I just stopped, but a lot more happened and from my view when I was in the jogo, it was all in slow motion. Just me, Julian and the music. I faked a meia lua de compasso to my right to get him to dodge (he did), then went for a headbutt. He misread me and launched a meia lua de compasso to his right (my left) and got me right in the temple. I lost consciousness for a split second, but didn't fall down or anything. We shook hands, went volto ao mundo and called it good. All within three seconds.
Another example is when I had my first big roda in Seattle...I was so scared to go in, but Mestre Gato called me, so I did. I remember going in, then the world slowing down...me, my partner's eyes and us being in perfect sync with each other. I only heard the bass berimbau and clapping, nothing else was there until I saw a hand in front of me from someone buying the game, then everything rushed back into existence as I joined the ranks on the sides of the roda. It was truly like a form of enlightenment.
I've even experienced it in my training; working so hard to a level that my body just doesn't register pain and does what it is told. A former instructor would call out movements and I would just do them...it was insane! I never knew my mind and body could have that kind of connection before, and now I know what any tweak, twinge or pop means and how to treat it. Any other martial artist is probably the same.
Finally, during sparring, a similar thing happens. My body just reacts and does what it needs to, my eyes lose focus but maintain it to take in everything around me. I've even done blindfolded sparring! Now that's a trip if you haven't done it...your other senses really kick up and take control so you don't even really need your sight as much.
These things come with an innate sense of calm and stillness...you only focus on yourself and your opponent/partner (depending how you look at it). There is nothing else, and you are prepared to do what you need to in order to win. You know you've trained hard enough, you're smart enough, you're fast and agile enough and that your body will instinctively do what you've taught it. There is no worry, only enjoyment and calm, which may sound strange considering it is fighting. But to us, the martial arts community, it makes perfect sense. It is what I call the Zen of fighting.
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