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Rule # 1:
Martial Arts is for defense only.
Rule # 2:
First learn rule number 1.
To clarify the meaning of the term "martial
arts",
Webster's defines the word martial
as "warfare" or "warrior",
and arts as "a skill acquired by study".
Fighting and self-defense arenot
the same thing.
Fighting someone because of greed, jealousy
or the desire
to harm another person is wrong.
To defend means “to keep safe from danger, attack, or
harm.”
The sole purpose of self-defense is to protect your life or
the
life of someone in your family or an innocent person who is
in danger from attack or harm.
A
martial artist should always strive to be focused on
their
environment.
Making this a priority represents practical self-defense.
Taking note of your surroundings and actively avoiding
dangerous situations every day will help to keep you out
of trouble and at peace.
Being vigilant should be a priority for all martial
artists
seeking to defend themselves and their loved ones.
'Watch, stand fast in the faith, be brave, be strong.' 1 Corinthians 16:13
Some people say that it is not
Christian to practice any
martial arts because of the roots in eastern
mysticism.
As
long as a Christian divorces the religious aspects
(eastern mysticism) from the martial arts, he or she
may practice them.
There are 2 types of Martial Arts:
The Inner Martial Art:
The "inner" martial art, which focuses
on inner spiritual
development, balance, form, and mental awareness.
Students are taught Taoist and Buddhist philosophical
principles such as the “chi” force.
"Chi" is believed to be the life
energy that flows throughout
the universe and pulses through the human body.
Through breath control, these martial artists seek to
collect
and store the chi force which is located in the body.
Some believe they can use the chi force to strike
their
opponents from a distance.
Tai Chi involves
the practice of Taoism.
In order to achieve physical well being, the Tai Chi
student must be attuned to the universe by
concentrating
below the navel section of the body, which is said to
be
the body’s psychic center.
Tai Chi can not be reconciled with
Christianity.
The Chinese Tai-chi and the Japanese Aikido are
examples
of inner martial arts.
Aikido means ‘the
way to union with the universal force.”
This impersonal force is known as “chi.”
The goal of Aikido is to control both self and
environment.
It is unalterably steeped in Eastern mysticism.
Ninjitsu is not generally
compatible with Christians.
The Ninjas try to assimilate themselves with
nature in order
to be more stealthy.
The worldview behind Ninjitsu is pantheism (all is
God),
which contradicts the Christian view that God is
not the
universe but is the Creator of the universe. Genesis
1:1-2 Christians
should avoid the "inner" martial arts because of the
teachings of eastern religions such as the Buddhist
philosophical principles and meditation.
The Physical Martial Art:
The physical martial arts uses
breath control like the inner
arts, but the main focus is on developing strength
and
quickness through the use of body motions.
The physical martial arts include:
Karate, Kendo, Judo, Ju-jitsu, and certain
forms of
Chinese Kung Fu, and Shao Lin boxing.
The Japanese martial arts come from the Chinese Kung
Fu.
The Korean martial arts include:
Tae Kwon Do and Tang Soo Do.
Karate involves meditation, which usually includes the
emptying of one’s mind from all outer distractions.
Karate is primarily a physical martial art, the meditation
aspect can be divorced from it.
Kung Fu is very diverse.
There are different styles of Kung Fu.
The more traditional forms stick close to their Buddhist
philosophical roots, while the less traditional forms
concentrate more on the physical aspects.
Judo and Jujitsu: Judo involves many grabbing and
throwing techniques.
Jujitsu concentrates on the human joint locks and concerns
itself with striking and maneuvering procedures.
Both of these forms have a very low spiritual emphasis.
Tae Kwon Do is a physical form of the martial arts.
It is one of the most compatible forms of Eastern
self-defense
with Christians.
Bowing in the
Martial Arts:
Bowing in any martial arts class is not
the same as kneeling
in worship.
When a person bows to another person they are simply
displaying respect.
In the Dojang, or the martial arts gym, people will bow to
a
flag or even a photograph of the founder of the art.
Again, this is not worship, merely displaying
respect.
Sometimes people will even bow to a dojang room, as if to
show respect to the space itself. Bowing is just a sign of respect. Just like military service members hand salute the U.S.
flag
and their higher ranks. Bowing to the flags as you enter the mats to train is
respect to
the flags, it's no different then standing and putting your
hand
over your heart during the National Anthem to show
respect
for our flag and our military.
A Christian view on Meditation in the
Martial Arts:
When a martial artist has reached
a certain level they are
usually encouraged to push the limits of their human
potential.
To reach the full potential as a martial artist, you begin by
training your mind.
One way to accomplish this task is through sitting meditation.
Through meditation your awareness, calm, and focus will
increase.
Without awareness, you will not be able to fight in a battle
without
getting hit or even killed.
Without focus, you will not be able to catch the right
opportunity to
strike or defend, which could be disastrous.
Without calmness, you will not be able to focus or relax.
If you tense up out of fear, you will burn out quickly. Unlike eastern
meditation, which advocates emptying the mind,
Biblical meditation calls on us to fill our mind with
God and
His truth.
The only way is to meditate that is pleasing to the
Lord is with the
Bible, that is meditate with His word and on His word in your
mind and heart.
'Let the words of my mouth and the meditation
of my heart
Be acceptable in Your sight, O Lord, my strength and
my Redeemer.' Psalm 19:14
'May my meditation be
sweet to Him; I will be glad in the Lord.' Psalm 104:34
What should we focus on in Christian
meditation?
'Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever
things
are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are
pure,
whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good
report,
if there is any virtue and if there is anything
praiseworthy,
meditate on these things.' Philippians 4:8
To meditate on the word of God, start by choosing a topic or
specific verse to focus on.
Next, find a quiet place where you can sit comfortably and
clear
your mind, then read your chosen verse several times.
You can also meditate on the
physical techniques that you
have learned.
Using your imagination to train physical skills does not
violate
biblical principles.
So a Christian martial artist can use meditation time to
rehearse what you were learning.
Remember, use meditation to focus your mind and attention in
a positive and productive way that is pleasing to God.
In Joshua
1:8, God says to meditate on
His word day and
night so we will obey it.
The difference between Karate
and Tae Kwon Do is:
Tae Kwon Do is a Korean martial art
which literally means
"The art of foot and hand fighting."
Tae
Kwon Do tends to favor fast kicking, Tae Kwon Do training is
well rounded and involves learning blocks, punches,
open-handed
strikes, take downs, throws, etc.
While karate is known for hand techniques, karate means
"empty hand".
Karate frequently includes knee and elbow strikes, and does
use kicking techniques to a certain extent.
Tenets
of Tae Kwon Do:
1. Courtesy -
Showing politeness toward others.
2. - Integrity - Being honest and having strong moral
principles.
3. Perseverance - Determination in doing something
despite
difficulty.
4. Self-Control - Ability to control emotions in
difficult situations.
5. Indomitable Spirit - Inner strength, not be
discouraged.
Student Creed -
I will develop myself in a positive manner
and I will avoid anything
that would reduce my mental health or my physical health.
I will develop self - discipline in order to bring out the
best in myself
and others.
I will use what I learn in class constructively and
defensively;
to help myself and my fellow man and never to be abusive
or offensive.