Martial Art Institute

MORALITY AND MOTIVE HYPOCRISY

Individuals that claim moral high ground and proclaim righteous cause are somewhat admirable. However, quite often many of these individuals' motives are often power, hierarchical-maintenance, popularity, and especially commerce (money).

I don't think there is anything wrong with the above mentioned motives, but the deception is certainly unacceptable. It becomes a disappointing problem when dubious instructors or masters belittle others to inflate their own status. Often, these self-serving critics are no better or worse than the very people they were knocking (degrade).

This does not mean complaints should not be voiced or wrong should not be fought, on the contrary, it is the hypocrisy that is the problem.

You can easily read articles from magazines every monthly issue, and there will always be a 'person' that has all the answers and everyone else has gone down the wrong path etc.. A typical debate would be within styles (e.g. Wing Chun, Thai boxing, Jujitsu, etc.) - one Wing Chun organisation will state their system is the real Wing Chun while others are inferior; and this is no different within Thai Boxing or Jujitsu or any other disciplines.

There is one main point that is often missed, 'rationale'. People do not question why it is wrong or right, and more often the argument is based on the premise of 'because my master told me so' or 'because it has been practised like this for 2000 years'.

Unfortunately, a great number of masters or instructors will base the arguement on the premise of tradition. Thus, effects high self-defence capabilities, and achieve other associated outstanding martial art abilities. This does not mean certain traditional methods of training or analyses are wrong but the lack of honest interpretations or explanation appears to be abundant.

For example, an artistic set of movements are promoted as 'high combat techniques', confused interpretation between 'excitement, anxiety and fear'. Technical misinterpretation is one thing but some unscrupulous masters or instructors will compound this problem with high-moral attitude. This is when it becomes a real joke or a real joker.

However, I do want to stress there are also many masters and instructors whom are honest with their approach, and it is those that deserve celebration. Unfortunately, a lot of these good instructors tend to be marketing-shy.

I will end by advocating that learning martial arts should be positively productive and enjoyable. Ask for rationales to your training drills or techniques or tactics. Do so in a respectful manner and not as an adversary to your instructor. I am sure most genuine instructors will be more than happy to explain, and remember no master is 'omniscient'.