Bursting bubbles
Published: Mon, 06/20/16
Short message today because I would like you to read something that is linked below. I have been trying to summarise what I think is important in martial arts training. Although I personally teach Stav as you probably realise I also believe that there can be a common aim in martial training which we can all contribute to.
I have come to realise that it is not so much what art or system we practise as our intention and willingness to learn from others and from experience.
Yesterday afternoon I was involved in a conversation with my minister and some members of the church over a cream tea. An issue that came up was the degree to which we tend to like bubbles around ourselves, inside that bubble is everything and everybody we feel comfortable with. Outside the bubble is everything we don’t like or feel uncomfortable with. Somehow we tend to believe that there is danger in venturing outside that bubble or a fear of having it burst around you. I have certainly seen it in my lifetime in churches, martial arts styles, businesses, education, politics and, perhaps, something of this attitude is coming out in the lead up to the EU referendum this week (and that is all I am going to say on that subject.).
I know that am considered a bit weird because I don’t really have much patience with bubbles, at least not ones that keep some people, ideas or beliefs in or out. The bubble that matters (if bubble is even a helpful analogy at all) is is actually inside you and it contains the core of who you are. If you are really sure of who you are and what your real values are then nothing can really harm you. If you find yourself in a toxic environment, (I mean intellectually, emotionally or energetically as much as environmentally) then don’t hang around. But different does not mean wrong or dangerous or subversive, more a chance to share, learn and expand your experience. If someone is striving to learn and develop then I usually find I have much in common with them even if we started from very different places.
Anyway, I am updating my sign-up page and I have created a simple PDF with six thoughts on martial arts I think are worth sharing. If you have time to click on http://iceandfire.org.uk/pdf/mamisconceptions.pdf and have a look I would be grateful. I will also write some follow up messages which will develop the ideas a bit further.
Self-defence seminar in Crewkerne this Saturday http://www.somersetstav.co.uk/sd.html
regards
Graham