Fish can sense light. They can sense temperature and turbulence. They can see and hear well enough to recognize their prey, and to escape their predators. But they never get to know water. Water is the context for everything they do and perceive. But it itself is imperceptible to them. They are never not in it.

We are like that. There is a critical missing link in our training. We exist in a universe of mind. Noticing it is critical. It will determine the quality of our training and the quality of our life and death.

In training, we rehearse conflict scenarios again and again until they root deeply, until they are reflexive. Because we have been through it a thousand times in simulation, when conflict arises we can act spontaneously; we execute the procedure ingrained in training.

As we ramp our training up to meet the intensity of the demands of conflict, it becomes tempting to regard all unknowns as potential enemies. In a war zone, it is prudent. In peacetime, it is dangerous. If we lose the flexibility to scale from kinship to threat, we lose our way. In some cases, it may become our duty to do it. But if we do it ignorantly, it may defeat our purpose as martial artists.

We exist in an ocean of mind. If we allow our practice to be fueled by fear and rage, we degrade to the level of the enemy. Our true enemy, the poisonous states of mind that cause suffering. It is tempting to do it. It feels energizing. But the energy that is a product of fear and hate will be subtracted from a whole world of potentially good human relationships. If we lose perspective in this way, we sacrifice our human connection to the people we are dedicated to protect.

If we lose our commitment to virtuous action, we lose the source of our strength, and we squander the abilities we have developed. When we know what we do is right, we can be fearless and resourceful without limit. Friends will appear. For those who waste their minds in hate, the entire world will, by increments, be transformed into enemies. It may require an act of profound heroism to avoid becoming ensnared in anger.

If we fail to notice that our mind is creating the way we see our world, then we will get lost in procedure and forget our true mission. As martial artists, we have a critical social role as well as an individual opportunity. The context of our training must reinforce our dedication to our mission: generosity to those who need us; patience and dignity in the face of provocation unless and until the moment to act should come; personal conduct that is honorable; the cultivation of a calm, clear mind that allows us to see clearly.

In the heat of battle, it will be impossible to cultivate this. When the decisive moment comes, we must act; all considerations will fall away. But as we train, as we live our lives, whether we perceive it or not, we will cultivate not only our skills, but our heart and mind as well. Whether we cultivate a heart and mind of hatred, or of nobility ,will decide the course of our life.