The book is worn, even with years of careful preservation – it is still one of my favorite books. What lies below is a small sample from the introduction to this work; the book was published 1977, try to hold this in mind as you read. I hope it inspires those in search of learning connected to the martial path.

“A book, even a film, cannot accurately portray a life lived. Rather, they provide an invitation to cross the threshold of visible techniques and definitions, for every practical experience in life leads to spiritual unity, or a simplification and clarity unifying the person, his knowledge and his power.

By that very fact, one can only speak of such unity in terms of its expression in the form of revelation and a gift from within, all the more unfailing because the ego has been effaced and the essence of the being has become in a way eclipsed, freed from fear, constraint, reason, all the average mans’ many restraints.

Budo, like all wise things, constitutes the application of the basic energy of the universe. This energy is one and knows no bounds. To be part of it, even a very small part, enables one to understand this energy is also an alchemy, transforming, and transmuting everything it touches.

It is well known that Westerners have always needed to understand, reason and analyze things with a critical approach. Qualities which quickly become unyielding obstacles when one is restricted by them. How can a man who is always agitated inside, hear the silence? What is there left to learn if one believes a certain discipline is in itself the finality of everything, or if one’s body and soul, the practical and the spiritual are opposed, if one believes in keeping for oneself all that is given, if an idea received is like a wall obscuring the horizon?

All teaching presupposes a gradual progression by degrees and stages, but it leads nowhere. The object is to reach the point where the mutation occurs, where movement generates movement, where man becomes his own master. That is why all traditional education puts the emphasis on the practical, avoiding verbal explanation for quite understandable reasons.

In this case, what is the meaning of the search for efficiency at all costs? Such debates in which black and white are opposed – overlook the fact that, the body is one and that one cannot speak of real efficiency without true mastership of body and soul. As soon as this mastership is more or less achieved, the person realizes for himself the sense of the journey and the search. All discussions are superfluous.

Modern myths about superman, the invincible wrecker, constitute a dangerous temptation to stretch the energy bow to the point at which the string snaps, where the being literally explodes within. Even if such beings become commercial idols, objects of public acclaim, they are nevertheless still inarticulate puppets brought to light with artificial power and energy, who inevitably turn on each other because they have not been assimilated in real terms.

Energy is what one makes of it. It can be a source of life or death, of creation or destruction. There is no wisdom exclusive to budo and budo does not escape universal wisdom, which in finality is neither retraction nor the drying up of the intellect but its totality and harmony. To be in this sense means to know, and to know is to add energy to energy, life to life, love to love. Such is the way of the universe.”

“ my hands are shaking! I have just enjoyed my first fencing bout.
You know! I want to be a Swordsman.”

Jose Rizal age 18

Jose began espousing original ideas at an early age, his poetry, plays and writing are largely concerned with the national identity of the Filipino and modern nationhood; at the turn of the century the success of the interface between Colonial and Asian cultures, hinged upon this. Rizal understood or felt that a Europe emerging from the dark and industrial ages, had an offering to the East that was limited, and that if the current were allowed to continue in the vein of exceeding common humanity – denying the Filipino people their own human dignity, special capacities and honor as human beings; the false campaign was doomed to failure.

Gandhi gave Rizal credit as a founding forefather within the Asian freedom movement; his patriotism and intellect have inspired many toward the extreme importance of nation building. Influenced in no small part by Zen, Rizal has remained a controversial figure; to this day, he is a true martial artist displaying the many virtues of practice: discipline, loyalty, valor, justice, compassion… Jose Rizal was arrested by the Spaniards for his inciting of revolution during the era of the Katipunan, where the Filipino sought to re-establish his rightful claim to the heritage of an ancient and valuable culture; he faced death unflinchingly and left us a fine example, to quote some lines from the author Laurens van der Post:

“There can be only one end, and that is the search which brings man to the threshold of the task that life demands of him, something greater than happiness and unhappiness: meaning. To serve this vision of life, to protect it against all plausible substitutes, reasonable approximation and cowardly compromise – is the knightly duty of contemporary man, if he shirks it – I believe he shall never know inner peace.”

“The Flamingo Feather”

I moved away from the Brazilian Jiu Jitsu School and embarked on a new chapter within my martial path; I had always read books with a voracious appetite and came across a small book by James MacRitchie on cultivating personal energy, Chi Kung or Qigong. This book I never read, but I did clip Jim’s contact info and promptly gave him a call.

The initial contact with Jim was excellent, he was in the throes of publishing his book Chi Kung: energy for life. In addition to my acupuncture treatment with Jim, I entered the training programs he had on offer: ‘Everything you learn in Acupuncture School, without the needles!’ this was a course in Oriental Medical Theory – here, we we’re taken on a whirlwind tour of the broad and deep history of this ancient tradition; we mapped out the entire human energy system, including the deep pathways; I was taught the reading of the pulses; clinical diagnosis and procedure – the lessons were of unparalleled detail.

Sitting in meditation on the practices leading to a visualization of the root structures of the human energy system, during the ‘Eight Extraordinary Meridian Chi Kung’ training was true internal practice or Nei Gung at the highest level; early mornings, a group of well versed practitioners gathered and entered into the experience of our root energetic structures – the quality of participants and caliber of teaching, made for serious learning.

I served a three year apprenticeship under James MacRitchie, and in my final year often assisted in teaching, I was also introduced to some of the more advanced parameters of clinical operations. Over the past decade I’ve grown quite close with Jim, he has added to my teaching ‘an infinite source of interest’; and in terms of the efficacy of treatment, his method is well rooted – one could even say: all powerful.

I now have a considerable grasp of the transference phenomena, and understand that if we are ever to attain realization on the martial path, then Chi training is absolutely necessary and especially for martial artists, because: one only versed in the fighting arts and not the chi kung or healing dimension; can never truly understand and master the arts, and so become a fully evolved being. The preservation of these legacies for future generations, make the pursuit of Chi intelligence of critical importance.

“People may talk of energy, but this is external to themselves; herein lies man’s future!”

The Martialworks Advanced Defensive Tactics (MADT) program has been developed at the interface of the powerful weapon components of 3 major South East Asian boxing systems; it is largely influenced by Pekiti Tirsia Kali, the pre-eminent blade fighting method of choice for Philippine Government.

The tried and tested method has been delivered by Guro Stephen Joffe to Philippine National Police, Philippine Military and Marine Corps; under the careful scrutiny and guidance of Tuhon Leo Gaje and Mandala Tim Waid. The MADT program is technically flawless, the entire spectrum for close quarter combat is given account.

The past six months of training, have seen a group of dedicated Kalista or practitioners of Kali gathering on the high desert environment – front range Rocky Mountains and at our indoor facility Colorado Sports Training; here, to undergo intensive and practical training in MADT. Trainings are staged every second Sunday of the month, and this like clockwork; during our practice sessions we have enjoyed the presence of Law Enforcement Officers and Fire Fighters, in search of the most effective of Defensive Tactics methods and our particular ‘piece de resistance’ Edge Weapon Counter Tactics. The increasing importance of this facet within preparation for all emergency actions, is not only because it makes more sense or feels better, but – primarily because it meets operational parameters within the ‘real world’. Liability issues in the line of duty and force reduction across the board, now demand genuine training methods and the absolute necessity for “most accurate language” clearly outweighs all conjecture.

Our Military, Law Enforcement and Emergency Services are involved in commendable work, however when it comes to training – why make an already difficult job, complicated? When you can lean on simplicity. The information is to hand! For some the prospect of gaining skill might be daunting, however nine times out of ten the response is one of re-kindled training motivation and positive reinforcement through the development of a notable increase in the efficiency of action.

Topics covered in the Basic Level I training:

• Combative ground fighting
• Range control & exercise in application
• Impact weapon manipulations
• Introduction to knife
• Quartering tactics

Topics covered in the Intermediate Level II training:

• Application of force
• Weapon and Footwork
• Skill in contact & non-contact
• The bridging and entry methods
• Dis-arms, restraints & reversals

The MADT Advanced Levels III & IV trainings, are for participants that have tested and been certified in MADT Levels I & II.

These well prepared students, embark upon education addressing the more intensive parameters of combat:

• Knife tapping
• Multiple opponents
• Survival techniques
• Field maintenance

Martialworks has delivered to our training participants the dawning realization that:

“you can’t fit all the clothes in your closet, into one suitcase!”

It is in this way that practitioners have been drawn into the all important pursuit of Mastery, for as many of us are now aware “you can’t put the cart, before the horse!” and in a World of increasingly realistic demands, the last thing anyone needs is extra hand luggage – such outdated behavior is guaranteed to result in a stiff neck. On this closing note, a pointer:

“Respect the legacy, befriend the Filipino Warrior – he owns the blade.”

Address:
Colorado Sports Training
Unit 11, 1501 Lee Hill Rd,
North Boulder, Colorado, USA.

]]> http://martialworks.com/fallwinter-training-center/feed/ 0 http://martialworks.com/new-t-shirt-design/ http://martialworks.com/new-t-shirt-design/#comments Tue, 27 Oct 2009 22:04:33 +0000 admin http://martialworks.com/site/?p=332 Martialworks t-shirts are available, our strong logo across the chest, backed by “World Class Education” is nicely edged with the Chief Command Sergeant stripes; these depict our parameters for operation: with an understanding of the Universal Law of the 5 Elements we go out into the field and teach Advanced Martial Art training methods.

Our new flyer is great, within this informational card lies the broad range of classes we teach continuously; Class size is limited, please ensure you sign-up early. Consider a Private Training program as a means of accomplishing Martialworks education.We are stoked on the flyer that Anthem Branding did for us, Ted and Michael ~ you guys made the process effortless. Big Thanks!