“To enlighten and evolve through the art of Kenpo” 

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The Warrior Within, Part 2

By Patrick Pace, Head of England's UKS Affiliates

(continued from previous issue)

The Persona (The Middle Way)

This persona is also a part of the animal (Tiger). When a potential violent situation arises the animal instinct is aroused. However, the human persona detects (using intellect) the best way in which to deal with the attacker without any stress or anger. This in turn allows the mind and body to become more tranquil yet alert. At this stage of martial arts evolution (neither Tiger nor Dragon) it is the intellect that governs the actions of the body, the decisions of how to act or respond is made by the individual's mind, not the glandular system as found in the Tiger persona.

In Kenpo or any other martial art, this road of evolution is most difficult as it requires one to overcome the animal instinct (the Tiger) and make peace with it. (Leaving behind with it the need and desire to test your new-found martial skills at every opportunity.) One of the many processes of doing this is by transforming the Central Nervous System in a way that it can neutralize the effects of repetitive stress (and/or move into a high performance mode).

The martial artist committed to this human persona or middle way considers the artistic performance and interconnection of fighting techniques as a goal in itself, expressing the same artistic impulses through martial motion as a painter or writer expresses through brush strokes and words. A “True“ martial artist will continue the learning process because the creative expression of their “Art” is their goal. They do it because they love it. Any artistic endeavor such as painting, music, writing and martial arts can be traced back to the evolution of the human spirit or persona.

“I feel this great creative and spiritual force within me that is greater than faith, greater than ambition, greater than confidence, greater than determination, greater than vision.

It is all these combined... Whether it is the Godhead or not. I feel this great force, this untapped power, this dynamic thing inside me.

This feeling defies description, and there is no experience with which this feeling may be compared. It is something like a strong emotion mixed with faith, but also stronger.”
- Bruce Lee

(I was taught this when studying Kickboxing and my early days within Kenpo, although very effective it can be very detrimental to the human body.) In any arena where the attributes of speed, strength, and endurance are foremost important this approach can ensure instant results. Sadly, by practicing this method to motivate yourself in a fight or flight situation, there is a danger that this level of thought can be carried into other areas of your personal life. Also, over time such activity may be damaging to the digestive system, central nervous system, the heart and brain functions. You may also find your “fiery” persona appear when you are under pressure during sparring, forms, sets and especially self-defense techniques. This can be destructive to your training as you may injure those people who are close to you (namely, your Kenpo brothers and sisters). After all, Kenpo is about evolving together, not about who can get there first. As Kenpoists, we should concentrate on taking less from the system and giving back more.

The next level teaches us how to be effective in combat and life without using any animal-like behaviors. It does so by tapping into our human potential instead.

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