HONEST EXPRESSION
By Spica Alpheratz
Originally released on Kibusho Martial Arts and Philosophy site - 1998
"To me, at least the way I teach it, Ultimately, martial arts means honesty expressing oneself. I mean it's easy for me to act cocky and do some really fancy movement. But to express oneself honestly, not lying to oneself. But to express oneself honestly that is very hard to do " - Bruce Lee
While not traditionally considered, martial arts are a unique medium for expression. Martial arts unveil reality; uncovering the contents of the subconscious mind. The martial journey is that of liberation and expansion as the artist fully becomes aware of himself/herself. The artist learns to appreciate and honour simplicity, honesty and directness. These become the building blocks for a new vision of aesthetic beauty in life.
The first question that comes to mind upon this statement, is the controvesy of martial arts being a medium of expression. Is fighting a medium for expression?
Well, what is expression?
Expression is a response. We often think of expression in terms opinions, feelings or thoughts. One 'expresses emotion' or 'expresses ones opinion about the high tax rate'. Expression needs something to express about. It is the release of ones mental contents.
If it is the release of ones mental contents, where do these mental contents come from?
While their may be many other sources for ours thoughts and feelings, the outer world is the cause for many of them. This would mean that the mind is 'impressionable'. The mind reacts to stimuli in the outer world which caused it to think, feel and 'reflect'. All of this may be categorized by what is 'impressed' upon the mind.
No two human beings have the exact same 'impressions'. Two people may observe an apple. One may see the apple and think of how tasty it may be. Another may notice it's bright colour, shape and ripeness.
How is the martial artist expressing himself?
The martial artist is working in relation to some thing in outer world, the opponent. The fight is a game of interaction. The martial artist reacts and acts in accordance and relation to his opponent. What the martial artist is 'expressing' is what the opponent has impressed upon him. The martial artist may kick when given the 'impression' that their is an opening. The martial artist actions, whether they be a punch or a kick are a release of the minds contents and thoughts of the 'correct' action. The martial artist expresses what he/she individually sees.
While the punch or kick serves not to 'communicate', they communicate indirectly the thoughts of the artist. The symbolically represent the artist's inner world.
Not all communication is intended, as many of us know the value of reading anothers non-verbal body language.
Of what use is it to know that the martial artist is releasing 'mental contents'?
Martial arts are about facing reality. Something that many of us are reluctant to do in life. Our 'impressions' are hypothesis's of reality. Anything may take place in the mind with the help of the imagination. However the validity of our notions are another matter.
Martial arts have a practical purpose, self-defense. Therefore it is a concern for most that their martial arts allow them to effectively defend themselves.
Our hypothesis or impression of reality is verified by the effectiveness of our technique. The resounding THUD of our opponents counter attack serves as an answer to the accuracy of our hypothesis of the opponents weak spot.
Due to the severity and criticalness of fighting, the martial artist must strive to rid him/herself of unneccessary movements. This means performing with utmost efficiency and economy. A wasted movement could mean a painful kick to the head, or in a real-life encounter, death.
The martial artist is forced to rid himself of 'fancy' movements, or movements that do not fit the ultimate purpose of his objective.
This is not to say removing 'fancy' movements, removes the beauty of martial arts. It merely removes the 'pretty'. Prettyness is that which takes upon the characteristics of elegance and grace, it is a TYPE of beauty.
And this is not to say that a 'fancy' movement has no place in effective martial arts combat. Only that fancy techniques are done for their technical advantage.
The martial artist doesn't perform his movements for the sake of performing them. His movements or 'expressions' are made for the purpose of fitting the situation.
The martial artist removes his 'gibberish', and expresses himself with simplicity. Only doing that which is required.
Why would it be difficult to answer with simplicity? What would cause the martial artist to express himself in 'gibberish'?
On a broader level in life, we often seduced by extravagances and superficialities. We often fall for something that 'appears' and presents the illusion of being beautiful and ideal.
It is only through time is the wisdom is imparted to us as to what is 'truly' beautiful is often opposed to to what 'appears' beautiful.
Often this beauty may be appreciated for it's simplicity.
For example, we may find ourselves iniatially attracted to a mate on the basis of appearances. Only to find out that they are in fact not 'beautiful'. True love transcends appearances and learns to appreciate another individual's uniqueness. Simply being themself is enough.
In short, we often find ourselves attracted to 'illusions'. These illusions are things we wish to believe to be true.
These illusions are created in the mind to help cope with life. The fragile human ego fears it's mortality and needs illusions to help protect itself and maintain self-esteem.
Life's journey slowly allows us to seperate the illusionary from the real. The real is often the plain, simple truth; The humble bread.
Often our subconscious attempts to communicate with us the 'truth'. It accomplishes this through dreams, impulses and emotions. The fact what we have a subconscious demonstrates their is a seperation with ourselves. Their is a part of ourselves we are not ready to unite with. Our subconscious is what we HONESTLY think.
In martial arts our subconscious communicates with us too. In the dojo, we may 'hypothesize' or 'imagine' that this or that technique may be effective. However our liking to that technique may truly be because it gives the 'illusion' of sophistication making the fighter 'look' deadly. We may practice this or that technique in our Kata, one-step or freestyle sparring.
However faced in a REAL street-encounter we quickly forget about the fancyness and simply respond. "IT" responds, the force that is higher than ego. The "IT", is of the true reality as we really see it. The "IT" is the subconscious and what we REALLY think would be the 'correct' response in a vital situation.
If martial arts is stripped from it's extravagances, how is it still beautiful?
Beauty is that which merges aesthetically with something else. A 'beautiful' song is that which eloquently captures the experience or situation. A beautiful martial arts technique is that which eloquently fits the situatuon. Working in complete and total harmony with the opponent.
As simple as a technique may be, it becomes beautiful by perfectly fitting the situation. Therefore the artist refines the simple by mastering the elements of timing, speed and fluidity.
Because martial arts are an interacting art, they allow for verification like no other art.
In martial arts imagination meets reality. The 'aesthetic' vision merges and finds grounding with the real world.
The 'ideal' technique, reveals the 'ideal world'. The true vision of the enhanced world is unveiled.
A painter or songwriter may depict the 'ideal' and 'beautiful' world as much as their heart content. But the reality of their vision is never brought to grounding with the real world for practical use.
But because the martial artist faces critical circumstances encountering an opponent, he strives only follow the 'ideal' if it is real.
How does this simplicity in the martial artist's technique cross over into his daily life?
The martial artist learns to rely on truth for his foundation. He/she recognizes illusions and deceit make work temporarily, but everything must return to reality.
The honest martial artist learns to value the simple truth and appreciate it's beauty. Happiness in simplicity is obtained. In itself it is a type of Nirvana. Extravagances and illusions do not attract the honest martial artist, he/she knows that they do not hold the same strength and integrity of honesty.
Daily life takes upon new meaning. Simple joys are enhanced. That which simple and permanent is loved.
The journey of the martial artist is microism of that process we all undergo in life. To journey outerwards and to come back home, full circle to ones foundation.
