The Water Mind

By Adel Ather

Originally released on Kibusho Martial Arts and Philosophy site - 1998

Often we associate the word art with creativity in the western world.  While martial arts are considered an art, the traditional structure allows little room for creativity.

It's not to say that traditional structure does not have it's advantages.  It allows students to acquire discipline and respect for others by learning to adhere to strict rules.

In addition, the traditional formal structure of martial arts are necessary since they set the fundemental ground and foundation for student's understanding of combat.

However, I believe structure to be overemphasized in the martial arts.  Both structure and freedom have to be combined in harmony.

Too much structure inhibits creativity.  Structure locks the mind into a limited way of thinking which inhibits the free flow of new ideas.

Originally, martial arts arrived at their current level through creativity.  Without creativity, combat today would be limited to only punching.  But with creative freedom : kicking, kneeing, joint locking techniques been created.  These individuals did not fear to expand upon what combat may ultimately be.

Creativity can only be obtained through freedom of the mind.  Freedom allows the mind to express its colors beyond black and white thinking.  Freedom allows the mind to dance and let it's natural curiousity override.  Freedom allows conventional modes of thought to be challenged and broken.

Children often demonstrate much in the way of creativity and imagination.  This is caused by their free-flowing minds.  Their minds are not bound by rules as they express themselves simply, honestly and directly.  However, children often lack the ability to concentrate and focus their creative energies.  Therefore they lack the necessary structure to channel themselves properly.  Water is useless if it cannot be directed by the steel pipes which lead it out to the tap.  Water cannot be drank if it cannot be grasped and obtained by a solid glass.  Therefore, structure shares equal importance with creativity, they are Ying and Yang.

While adults have greater degree of structure and discipline over children, their original sense of freedom is lost.  Adults become accustomed to learning what is 'proper' and what is meets the approval of others.  The result is that we lose our individual sense of judgement.  We become accustomed to following rules without question.  We shy from trying new outrageous ideas for fear of appearing childish, foolish or crazy.  The originality of ours ideas are lost to what is popular belief and a self-consciousness of what others think.

Martial arts are a microism of the same process we undergo in life.  When we begin our training we fight with directness and simplicity.  While we may not have any  technical knowledge, we express ourselves with what we personally feel.  We judge for ourselves how we should respond rather than adhere to what is the 'proper' response taught by our master.  However while the beginner may lack technical refinement it would be incorrect to say that he/she is an inferior opponent.  Most experienced martial artist are aware that beginners are difficult opponents.  The reason for this is that beginners have a high degree of unpredictableness.  Beginners techniques are spontaneous and follow no preconceived pattern adhering to a certain 'style'.  The beginner's 'freedom' makes it difficult for the experienced fighter to read his/her intentions.

However, as we progress in our study of martial arts we develop a sense of sophistication in our techniques.  We learn scientific methods of fighting: learning how to stand, block, kick and punch.  Our movements become finer and our muscles  stronger.  Our bodies are forged to become instruments of combative expression.  Yet our original spontaneousness is lost.  We often use common combinations which other's from our 'style' share.  Our movements become clearer and have greater precision.  However this makes or intentions easier to read as they become more distinguished.  We lose our original sense of thought and freedom to what would be considered 'proper' technique or what our masters taught us.

I believe that martial artists should seek freedom once again.  As stated before, martial arts came to their current level through freedom.  Only in this manner can martial arts continue to progress.  All aspects of knowledge in society have improved throughout time whether it be technology, science or psychology.  I see no reason why martial arts cannot continue to improve like many other fields.  Being in the 'age of information'; I'm certain we have greater resources for research than those in the 16th century.

Particularily in Canada, we are exposed to a variety of martial arts.  We are not limited to Korean, Japanese, Russian or French martial arts.  Multiculturism has always been Canada's symbol for distinction.  We have the ability to learn from all cultures and combine the best from all worlds.

Experienced martial artist must learn to break free from traditional 'styles' and return to the state of artlessness.  We must learn to regain the childlike freedom that we have lost.  Only then can we continue the process of learning and development through the spiritual loosening of the mind.