|
|
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 339
Member
|
|
Member
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 339 |
Neo gains a sense of self, the way I look at it. He doesn't loose it. And yes, he looses fear. My perspective is this: The ego *is* fear. The two are synonymous. When eastern traditions talk about losing your sense of self, they're really talking about eradicating fear conditioning. Where the ego is like stop-and-go city traffic, no-ego/no-fear is like the autobahn (no speed limits). Of course... there's probably lots of horrible accidents on the autobahn when you're going 150+ mph!!! Now obviously Neo is still Neo in the sense that he still has a personality. I think, rather, that "a sense of self" refers to a feeling of self-consciousness, an "I'm here, danger/limitation is there" mentality. --stop and go traffic. That was quite a fight, btw! How did it feel *as* you were fighting? Afterwards, there is regret, the pain, the damage, the wrath of the law, life-long enemy, and all that great stuff. But how would you describe your inner experience as it happened, out of curiosity?
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 1,150
Member
|
|
Member
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 1,150 |
quote:
Originally posted by Brian649:
That was quite a fight, btw! How did it feel *as* you were fighting? Afterwards, there is regret, the pain, the damage, the wrath of the law, life-long enemy, and all that great stuff. But how would you describe your inner experience as it happened, out of curiosity?
I felt extremely angry. I almost wanted to kill him. Anytime he did get a hit on me, I couldn't feel it. . .almost like the adrenaline that was pumping through my viens was a pain killer. Afterward, I had a couple bruises.
My mindset. . .as the fight was happening was something that I feel I probably needed:He doesn't know who the ---- he's ---in' with.
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 13
Junior Member
|
|
Junior Member
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 13 |
Since training in martial arts, I've realised how fragile human beings are. How easy it is to end a human life. But it's not worth it at all. Human lives are too precious. It's funny how I've actually became a nicer people. My desire to fight to prove something has completely diminished. My training helps me build a better character. I promise myself I'll only fight only in self-defence, and to avoid fighting whenever possible. It is very easy to hurt people, but with power comes responsibilty. It's all about self-control. Do only what is needed to be done. No more. Sometimes when defending oneself or others, we easily become angry and consume with hate. I've heard so many sad stories how serious fights led to horrible consequences. There is a maxim I heard from a famous martial artist about self-defence. 'It is better to have ten wounded than to have one dead' Sorry if my rant doesn't make too much sense. I need sleep now. [This message has been edited by Crow (edited March 23, 2002).]
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 1,150
Member
|
|
Member
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 1,150 |
Self-control is definitely something I've mastered, or at least feel like I have. I have a lot more control over my impulses than some of my best friends and many people I know.
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 118
Member
|
|
Member
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 118 |
I do believe everyone should know how to defend themselves. The most dangerous person is one who is full of fear, and they are the ones you have to watch out for the most.
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 1,150
Member
|
|
Member
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 1,150 |
quote:
Originally posted by x:
I do believe everyone should know how to defend themselves. The most dangerous person is one who is full of fear, and they are the ones you have to watch out for the most.
Not necessarily. Those filled with fear can be easily 'discouraged' at times.
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 22
Member
|
|
Member
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 22 |
When I was in Jr. High & High School, and got in my fair share of scraps, I divided the world into two groups: those who threatened to hit you, and those who just hit you. -Jeff
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 637
Member
|
|
Member
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 637 |
A philosophy I heard was that bravery wasn't the opposite of fear, it's doing the right thing in the face of fear. In any case, I think fighting is perfectly acceptable in many cases. It's a natural instinct, and although it should be avoided if possible, not knowing how to defend yourself when it CAN'T be avoided is incredibly risky. An interesting anecdote I heard went like this: A white belt in martial arts was walking along in the evening when he spotted a dangerous looking person. They met and the person pulled a knife on him: they struggled, and the white belt was stabbed. A black belt found himself in the same situation. He and the person met, they struggled, and the culprit was stabbed. A master of martial arts found himself in the same situation - he crossed over to the other side of the street. I think one should always provide himself with as many options as possible. Not being able to defend yourself limits your options. -Ramon http://razor.ramon.com
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 312
Member
|
|
Member
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 312 |
I've always taught my students in aikido, that the best way to block a punch, is not to be there!!!!
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 637
Member
|
|
Member
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 637 |
You know what, while we're on the subject of self defense, just wanted to add: The absolute best self defense product you can have on you is GOOD pepper spray, which is a pepper spray with a medium fog and good heat rating (don't trust %'s, there's more to it). Pepper spray is better than a knife, a stun gun, a tazer, a portable baton, or ninja stars. Hell, short of a shotgun or a gun in the hands of a person who can aim, pepper spray is the best there is, hands down. Because I'm a complete idiot (or absolutely brilliant) I've tested both a pepper spray and a stun gun on myself. The stun gun was a pain, let me tell you, but I could've definately killed someone using it on me before they brought me down. It just takes a gouge to the eye or a pen in the ear canal, and it's over for the guy, and the 5 seconds it takes to bring a guy down with a stun gun is simply too long. PEPPER SPRAY, however, is insanely unbearable. Don't listen to that "what if he's on pain killers?" scenario - pain killers or not, getting sprayed in the face with pepper spray will bring you down. Your eyes and nasal passages just burn, and you can barely stand (with a good pepper spray). I heavily recommend pepper spray to everyone and their female friends. I don't like "selling out" but these guys are simply awesome - http://www.selfdefenseproducts.com The customer support is superb. Sorry, it's just that having some experience in this area led me into a small mini-rant. -Ramon http://razor.ramon.com
|
|
|
|
|
