Martial Arts in Western Culture. What is the conflict?
Martial Arts in Western Culture: Can these two very different ways of life exist in harmony with each other? Let's take a good look.
On August 11th 2015 I renounced the world. And I mean this. I no longer participate in the norms of the society.
I had a man a year or so ago call me a "hermit." I was flattered by these words intending to do harm. Walk a mile in my shoes before you attack me.
Martial Arts in Western Culture
Now I am very critical of the West today. When I was a kid growing up in Canada it meant something to be Canadian. Canada was a place of high moral values, and today these values in the mainstream are gone. And this is due to an agenda of the "political class" who want to own, control everything. "Gotta make billions doesn't matter who dies" is their mantra. And because Canadians have not really ever experienced hard times their apathy has allowed this to happen. And this is not just Canada but it has happened in every "western" country.
So what does this have to do with martial arts? And Martial Arts in Western Culture?
Martial Arts in Western Culture - Values
When I began my training their were values that my teacher clearly spoke to me. These vales were:
- God,
- family,
- country
- and school (dojo).
Yes the Dojo and dedication to it were a big part of the training. You did things for YOUR DOJO. And these values were the above order too! The 4th was the Dojo.
Today the only value left in the west for the masses is the what about "ME" culture. Everything is ONLY about ME. You hurt MY feelings, I am ENTITLED TO THIS, that and the other thing. This not only does not fit the philosophy and values found in REAL martial art training, but is also death for society. Do you see "ME" in that list above?
Martial Arts in Western Culture
Now the culture will say that you need to put yourself first in order to be able to successfully function in society. And that is a half truth. The issue in the West is that me first is a mental illness called narcissism. It is no longer about working on the self, improving the self to be of service to others.
If it was people would not be lying about themselves, photoshopping pictures for Instagram.
Look how people today will lock their parents up in homes so they can have MORE, bigger homes, cars etc. This lack any value at all!
But real martial arts training, training of Body Mind and Spirit have the value of self improvement for the benefit for others. That is found in the Buddhist value of meditation to reach enlightenment for the benefit of all living beings.
Martial Arts in Western Culture - Peaceful Warriors
The Dojo that I no longer own or operate, but does still bear my name Art Mason's Peaceful Warriors Martial Arts still does endorse these values.
And Martial Arts in Western Culture is still in demand because even with the Canadian's governments attempt to destroy small business for person gain the school is thriving!
Maybe people are still wanting these values? And it is time to remove ALL the political class and rebuild a real functioning society? Well that is for smarter people than me.
While I was in Canada I visited a "dojo" and saw how the martial arts have degraded to be what the West has become. The "teacher" came outside as we watched through the window.
He knew the person I was with as she runs my former Dojo, Sensei Kara Borshuk. I introduced myself to be polite, and he acted as if he had no idea who I was. Then acknowledged he knew exactly who i was, what "rank" I held.
Then told me how important he was, he was the senior in the city and attacked other school owners. Funny younger then me, but 50 years in the arts. Interesting.
Maybe I have forgotten how to do math?
Martial Arts in Western Culture - Conclusion
I believe that if the martial arts industry would get back to what is important, and that is NOT a BIG, expensive, commercial Dojo, but values and training we would have a HUGE positive influence on the rebuild of society.
The world needs this too.
Demand change in the operation of all "governments" because I do not believe people need them in the capacity they exist. A president or prime minister is a civil servant, no better than the person cleaning snow from the streets of collecting garbage. And they are certainly NOT LEADERS, but managers who are not doing their jobs.
Martial Art teachers are LEADERS as long as they teach, and train with humility, and by example, with a deeply rooted set of core values based on a better world and not just person gain.
Thank you for reading Martial Arts in Western Culture
FREE Kosho Ryu Beginner Guide
Get your free copy of my white paper called Kosho Ryu Beginner Guide. This is the first step in understanding and studying the art of Kosho Ryu. Fill out the from below, confirm your email and your free Kosho Ryu Beginner Guide is on the way to your inbox!
Available in English, Romanian and soon in Spanish.
Thank you for taking time to read this article Martial Arts in Western Culture. We have some free course available and these will expand over time. Checkout the free course page here.
Thank you for your time and have a wonderful day! Keep Learning!
Vă mulțumesc pentru timpul acordat și o zi minunată! Continua sa inveti!
Al vostru în arte,
Mare Maestru Art Mason
