Things that make me go 'argh' the martial ego conundrum

A couple of things got me thinking about this blog entry recently. One was a discussion with a friend and fellow martial artist about the latest internet sensation "Enter the Dojo." A discussion on that turned to the fact that the lead actor is actually a yudansha under Parker kenpo stylist Jeff Speakman. The conversation turned to the topic of Ed Parker himself and whether Parker was, more or less, the real deal. That got me to thinking of another theme flowing in my head since last week that was stirred by a new curious interest: Russian Systema. The theme that was tweaked again was 'why must some martial artists tear others down only to try to build themselves up.'

If you are wondering why Systema would make me think that, it was because of some of the things that I read that were posted by one of their senior instructors on different Internet resources. One of the ones that picked my craw was the following:
To any situation the reaction may be different. That's why it's useless in a way to memorize patterns, because the possibilities in life are endless, and you cannot be prepared for every single thing. Therefore. it's better to be able to move in a natural way, and not even physically but intuitively.

Another piece, an interview, went on to say something quite similar. However, it went a step beyond to note that Systema was 'better' because there were no kata, no rigid stances, no traditional dogma that bound it. For that reason, said the article, the Russian powers that be named it Systema (Russian word for system). Yet, the definition of a system is:
a set of interacting or interdependent components forming an integrated whole.

Most systems share common characteristics, including:

• Systems have structure, defined by components and their composition;
• Systems have behavior, which involves inputs, processing and outputs of material, energy, information, or data;
• Systems have interconnectivity: the various parts of a system have functional as well as structural relationships to each other.
• Systems may have some functions or groups of functions

Now, Bruce Lee talked about formless form and the notion of abandoning the archaic system of compunded movements and rigid structure within most arts. Lee took what worked and made his own system. Yet, he was open-minded enough to share what he learned with other martial artists. I find it interesting that many blog and website comments from Systema practitioners note that they have studied 'other' martial arts and their new one note that only it and Wing Chun are the seeming 'real deal'. Sorry, Mr. Lee, the comrades have spoken: you got it wrong.

Or did the Russians misunderstand karate based on limited (and uninformed) research? They did close themselves off for a number of years and did not allow for study let alone dissection of martial arts styles, including my beloved karate.

Now, back to where this was going in the first place: why some martial artists knock others down only to build themselves up. I've heard a number of slags over the years, most of which I have chalked up to as 'small martial artist's syndrome.' In other words, these people are willing to talk down about someone who is a more successful or prolific martial artist in order to make themselves sound bigger or important. The uninitiated or sycophantic masses will ooh at said stories; those who have been around the block a bit more will go 'ahh, really?'

Now, of course, some of these stories will grow legs and the story will grow. And they will pass from place to place. Does it make us look any better? Nope. It makes us all look like whiners. The solution?

I think we should have something the 'martial ten commandments' to keep our egos in check.

Some of them would be simple, others a little more complex and a little harder to swallow for the truly ego-consumed. I give you some of my choices for inclusion in the martial 10 commandments (with exceptions).

1) If thou has not met said person or trained with said person, thou shalt not slag their reputation as a martial artist.

Exception 1.a

- for every Ashida Kim, Count Dante or Olaf Simon, there are a dozen Sam Kuohas or Pat McCarthys or whomevers. If thou canst see it, and it canst be proven by a sketchy past, then to call a spade a spade is not slagging.

Exception 1.b

- if one slags someone's business practices because of questionable ethics or because said ethics bring shame and scorn to the general MA community, slagging is allowed.

2) If thou hast not trained in said style nor hast any canonical knowledge of said system or the principles of the style, thou hast no right to slag or pontificate on weaknesses of said style.

Exception 2.a

- McDojos. Again, if it is an issue of credibility or questionable teaching practices, then call a spade of a spade.

- if said style includes radical change to said canon of knowledge and still considers itself the 'same' art, then slag away. If it ain't broke and you 'fix' it, it's likely broken now.

3) If thou is not willing to repeat said words in public or face to face to said person, thou shouldst keep one's opinion to oneself.

No exceptions: any issues of ego or personality clashes should be able to be resolved with words first, not fists. If it breaks down, then perhaps both parties need to don a white belt and re-learn some humility.

4) Honour thy sensei. Period. Look at any major system over the past 100 years. Once the head dies, a goodly percentage of these styles fractured and fragmented. Some quickly (American Kenpo, Kyokushin), others took time (Shotokan, Matsubayashi-ryu). In any case, if one figures one should be the true successor to the system or does not like the choice the master made for a successor, perhaps it is time to bow off the floor period. I cannot imagine how any of the deceased venerable masters would feel if they were to see how their students acted or treated each other once they had passed. It may be just me, but it is not about the person ultimately, it is about the art.

5) Can't we all just get along? Or at the least, agree to disagree cordially?

The list is not exhaustive, there are just a few that have popped up over the past few days as I thought of some of these issues. If you come up with your own, let me know.

And, for the record, I will also try to live by my own commandments. :)