Warrior blood

Zenchi wrote:

I see that as weakness because your mind is not even present, you've had to put on a mask and play a character to experience something.

Doesn't enlightenment revolve around the fact that all we are is one mask after another, that there is no such thing is the true self?

Sure, that sounds fair to me. I didn't mean to preach enlightenment but I do spend a lot of time reading various Buddhist stuff so it must be rubbing off on me!!

Zenchi wrote: When in close combat and experiencing the oneness of existence, it's not like you're thinking of your next move, right? Bruce Lee said it best "when my fist hits, I do not hit, it hits all by itself."

Who am I to counter Mr Lee :huh:

But I don't think that is 'enlightenment', just wise action as generated by lots of training. I'd suggest he has trained his subconscious to fight for him so his conscious awareness (his sense of mind/observer) is detached from that processing.

So I disagree with Khaos, and actually would suggest that the Jedi path is relevant to growing out of weakness to this situation, and developing it as a strength of character - a true sense of self power instead of pretending to be something else or taking it from others BUT, both things are useful in certain circumstances so I wouldn't suggest to people to walk a certain way - just keep on keeping on doing their best.

What is the weakness of the situation?

How does conflict, especially in the manner I have put forth not build character?

I would suggest reading on how and why Jigoro Kano created Judo.

Nothing I put forth is about "taking" anything from others, or pretending to be something your not.

Before and after practicing Judo or engaging in a match, opponents bow to each other. Bowing is an expression of gratitude and respect. In effect, you are thanking your opponent for giving you the opportunity to improve your technique.
Judo Quotes, by Jigoro Kano

http://judoinfo.com/quotes1.htm

That was meant to be my last paragraph, it was a summation of my previous points. Reading it as as standalone point would be without context of the rest of the post. I'll try to answer your posts but I gotta get offline soon...

Khaos wrote:

So I disagree with Khaos, and actually would suggest that the Jedi path is relevant to growing out of weakness to this situation, and developing it as a strength of character - a true sense of self power instead of pretending to be something else or taking it from others BUT, both things are useful in certain circumstances so I wouldn't suggest to people to walk a certain way - just keep on keeping on doing their best.

What is the weakness of the situation?

The situation is using conflict to generate self power. The weakness is needing to use conflict to achieve that self power.

Khaos wrote: How does conflict, especially in the manner I have put forth not build character?

I would suggest reading on how and why Jigoro Kano created Judo.

Nothing I put forth is about "taking" anything from others, or pretending to be something your not.

I was only referencing you saying the Jedi path was not suitable. I agree martial arts, boxing etc are a good avenue to exercise dealing with conflict, and actually think its a valid component of the Jedi path.

Has anyone read:

The Art of War by Sun Tzu ?

Rickie The Grey wrote: Has anyone read:

The Art of War by Sun Tzu ?

Yes and I would think most others here have too.

No, I havent read the art of war.

Its not a book that you read, its a book that you study.

I have more than one copy and translation, different sections and passages highlighted with different colors, notes taken on it, and revised notes.

Some, I have actually been able to apply. Lacking any real ability and desire to command an army, I am obviously limited in what I can and cant apply.

Some will be forever beyond my reasoning, as I simply am not sure what was meant in regard to applications where etc, and its not like I can ask the author.

The Art of War mixes practical military approaches, as well as outdated ones( which should be obvious), coupled with ideological methods.

Some books are not read, but absorbed over a lifetime.

There are several great quotes that would to seem to fit this thread...

http://www.goodreads.com/work/quotes/3200649---s-nz-b-ngf

I like some of these:

“The supreme art of war is to subdue the enemy without fighting.” ― Sun Tzu, The Art of War

“Supreme excellence consists of breaking the enemy's resistance without fighting.” ― Sun Tzu, The Art of War

“There is no instance of a nation benefitting from prolonged warfare.”― Sun Tzu, The Art of War


“The greatest victory is that which requires no battle.”― Sun Tzu, The Art of War


“When you surround an army, leave an outlet free. Do not press a desperate foe too hard.” ― Sun Tzu, The Art of War

There are lots more but these resound with me the most and have help me with lifes' conflicts.

“The supreme art of war is to subdue the enemy without fighting.” ― Sun Tzu, The Art of War

“Supreme excellence consists of breaking the enemy's resistance without fighting.” ― Sun Tzu, The Art of War

“There is no instance of a nation benefitting from prolonged warfare.”― Sun Tzu, The Art of War

This would fit into the ideal category.

Truth be known, there are methods of defeating an enemy without fighting, though they arent necessarily humane.

In the civil war for instance, many times, there was a surrender because of lack of supplies, food,water,( cutting off supplies is common and has been done for a loooong time) etc, which still has numbers lost, though yes, there was no fighting.

Starving the enemy out, hostages,spies,assassination, etc,etc.

All of which Sun Tsu also talks about employing.

Context is as important as content.

It is the Art of War.

I have a take on that, after years if training and study. There are really three variables to consider. First two first.

A conflict is won by the side that is a) able to, and b) willing to, escalate the conflict the furthest. Give it thought.

Strategy is the third variable. The purpose of strategy is to make ones opponent either unwilling or unable to escalate farther than you. There are, of course, myriad ways of doing that, but there you are.

If you have come to strike me and I intend to take your eye, and I can do it, I am going to win this conflict in the most immediate sense. Your job, then, become to figure out how to make me unable or unwilling to go that far.

This is my attempt at distilling what I have learned from Sun Tzu and others. I know I have grossly simplified it, but I think it is logically sound.