The Three Distractions that Stop One from Achieving the True Martial Art.
When one learns the martial arts one learns these training routines called forms. On the surface, the form is a dictionary of applications, of having a curriculum which will teach him higher and higher ranges of art. It is under the surface, however, through the refusal of distractions that one must apply himself in searching for the True Martial Art.
When one can refuse to have his attention wander in the middle of the performance of kata one is cultivating the fact of his discipline. When one focuses only on the unique and indivudal moves within the kata, and does not allow himself to be sidetracked, then he is enhancing the fact of his concentration. The end result of all these endeavors is to be able to keep awareness in the universe of the martial pattern, and not in the universe of trees and bushes and rocks and twigs and such.
The pieces of the form, the applications, are the middle arena of refusing to be distracted. This area, applying technique to a willing opponent, leads one from perfect thought to the execution of perfect idea even in the middle of chaos. When one holds to the physics of combat, holds to his mental focus, holds to the truths he has gleaned concerning his fellow man even in combat, then one is approaching a distraction free existence.
It is in the fact of kumite, however, that one must find his ultimate refusal of the distractions of the real universe. One must devote all his focus on the opponent, refuse the gas and tinklings of a random world, and build the truth of his own awareness. When one lives as if in a tunnel with his opponent, and can hold to the construction of that tunnel no matter the situation, then one has found and is living the True Martial Art.
These three ultimate but separate arenas, kata, technique and kumite, are the arena of the True Art. To the extent that one refuses to be distracted, that one becomes pure and true in concentration and awareness, to this extent one enters the True Martial Art. The real key, to all this, however, lies in the achievement of one important item.
The universe travels backwards. It is not the flotsam and jetsam of the universe that offer distraction, it is the knowledge that one must not actively go towards a distraction free existence, but, rather, relax so that no distractions can take hold in the soul. It is the emptiness of the universe, perceived by the unimpeded individual, that makes up the Path of the True Art.
Al Case has 4O years training in the martial arts. you can pick up a good and free ebook on how to become distraction free at his site, Monster Martial Arts.