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" RETREAT TO THE WALL"

   When I started in the martial arts, there was a pacifist code. It stressed that it was to be used in defense of yours or your family's life only. The first lesson taught by my Sifu was, "if you truly know what you are capable of, you are obligated to prove it to no one." I struggled with that philosophy for sometime. I saw it as a good excuse not to fight. On the other hand, I knew that it was a better way to be. I have always felt that giving in to public opinion or pressure, was a classic act of cowardness. You can be aware of it but never controlled by it. So it is a valid point to say; that if you are drawn into a fight based on another persons influence; they are controlling you. If only we could be that philosophic when the time comes for fight or flight. In order for this to work you have to plan ahead and make a conscious pact with yourself as to where the line is drawn. This is where the Sensei can help set the dojo guidelines along with some strong do's and don'ts. You have to take a no-nonsense approach as to how you expect these guidelines to be followed. Of all the area's I've sinned and fallen short this is the main one. You spend hours teaching students how to lay waste to an opponent and little or no time warning them of the legal or even moral danger of their actions. Many students will never have the occasion to use what they know. Some, due to their line of work, or being in the wrong place at the wrong time will. Then, you have those who will either look for a chance, or are a fight about to happen. I'll bet you know who falls into what category in your school. For most people, having ten to fifteen fights a week in the dojo, pretty well satisfies their action quota. For the excessively spirited, they are just getting warmed up. It's these guys that you have to get through to. These people aren't punks or thugs or they wouldn't last very long in a good martial arts school. At least not in the ones I visit and associate with. They just can't say no to a fight. They have an acute case of the "P&T," ...... Pride and Temper. I will readily admit that I struggle with the P&T's. I always have and always will. I also know that about half the Sensei's I know have the P&T's. There is nothing fundamentally wrong with being a "PT" person. The Sensei's (the working ones) that I know all have a trigger in their head. Some are just better at controlling it than others. These Sensei's are very passionate in their teaching and leadership. They are grass-roots teachers and motivators. They are true believers. Whether they demonstrate it verbally, physically or both you can see it in them. Lord help and protect me from the Sensei who has about as much passion as a rock. How does a Sensei expect their students to be inspired when they act like they are going to quit. As you know "PT" doesn't always translate well into polite society. So how do you Jeckle and Hyde this thing at the right time at the right place. As for me I am still working on that. I have come to know beyond a shadow of a doubt, that walking away is truly the best thing to do. Everything you have or are working for, can be gone in one brief encounter. It is a double-edged sword when you go after someone. With your capabilities and training, you have to be just as careful not to hurt the person as you are not to get hurt. If you really open up, someone is going to be a real mess. Remember the first time you dropped someone? It not only was easy, it was too easy. It was a little disappointing. Like opening a gift.. There is the gift laying there open and you didn't enjoy unwrapping it. Now you feel a little hooked on the power. If you are lucky you get it under control and everyone who has a big mouth or gestures at you (whether they deserve it or not) are relatively safe. You are mature enough to realize that you are not the unofficial eyes and ears of the world, divinely put here to punish loud mouths, bad drivers, people who talk in movies, rude jerks, line cutters or anyone else who seems to be bucking for a butt kicking. Just remember if you start it, you are going to have to finish it. When you finish it, here are a few of the questions his attorney will want to ask you in court. Mr. Wilson; are you a blackbelt karate expert? Now the jury starts looking at you like Bruce Lee. Think I'm wrong? Then think of how many misconceptions people have of karate anyhow. Now, you are at their mercy. Mr. Wilson, how many fights do you have a week in your karate school; three, four, five? Well, Mr. Wilson, my client hasn't had a fight in ten years.... ugh! Do you, or have you ever, competed against other experts in competition? Did you in fact often defeat these other experts? So how could my client, untrained and just an ordinary man, have defended himself against you? If my client enrolled in your school what rank would he be? You say a white belt!!! So Mr. Wilson, would you say a white belt should be able to defend himself against an instructor like you? Mr. Wilson? (Now a real bomb for the jury) can you deliver enough force to break a brick with your bare hands and feet. The jury leans forward to hear this human wrecking machines answer. No need to answer, do not pass the dojo, go directly to jail. Think I'm exaggerating? I didn't pose half the no answer questions a good attorney would ask. So "RETREAT TO THE WALL".. Make sure there are no alternatives. That you could not have walked or driven away. Then you'd better be able to prove that you couldn't. Talk to your students about it and talk to yourself just as often. Obviously life does not always present us with alternatives or options to violence. That is why we train people to effectively deal with it. Just know in you own "heart and mind" that you were right and then you can live with the consequences that will follow.

   Life is about choices, and consequences. 

   Hopefully as Sensei's we are continuing to discover, and helping others to discover as well, that
the martial arts are as much about self-discovery as self-defense. For me, the martial arts is the part of me I like best. To me, running a kata can be natures most effective tranquilizer. After tearing up a bag for a half hour, I always feel that I want to build something. After getting knocked or thrown on my butt, I remember the many times in life someone has helped me up. I hope I never forget to lend a hand. After an especially hard match when I hug or congratulate my opponent, I realize things don't have to be taken so personally; and relationships can be born out of conflict. Mostly I walk out of class, seminars, shiai's, and tournaments feeling like a kindred spirit. Knowing that we share each other's core values and true friendships do exist. These relationship lessons in life must not be lost or lie dormant, at the expense of learning more bunki, waza, or repetitious demonstrations of skill and daring do. The great challenge for all of us who teach, is to be sure that we do not get caught up in just teaching skills instead of imparting knowledge. I think there is a difference. To take an open mind and teach it how to act without teaching it how to think cannot help, but foster thoughtless acts. I believe that bringing your students through the maze while keeping your own bearings is what a good working Sensei must aspire to do best. The student may never use the Martial Arts you teach, but they can often use your advice. As a continuing student of the Martial Arts, I insist on learning under someone who has had some real life experiences and leads by example. In other words, please tell me what you know. But please, please, always tell me what you think and why. Take me where you've been, so that I might not always have to learn the hard way. Let me know you before the challenge comes, so I can better understand myself during and after. Give me the courage and wisdom to "RETREAT TO THE WALL."

Master Denny Shaffer, Ku-Dan