Is It Just A Bark?

Is It Just a Bark... Or Could a Bite be Soon to Follow?

by Rand Palmer, 5th Dan

 Something I often remind my students (and even more so, myself) is that as martial artists (as well as the rest of the population, for that matter) we must be aware of the distinction between two kinds of attacks . . . attacks to our egos and attacks to our physical beings.

Distinguishing between an attack on our egos and an assault physical in nature is easy in retrospect, but when confronted with the actual circumstances, the difference can be blurred by anger or fear. When our driving elicits an obscene gesture from someone in another car, our immediate reaction to to become equally angry and gesture or shout. The other motorist is making a slash at our egos that is difficult to ignore.

No one likes being teased or ridiculed, but when we consider that the common alternative, to reply with equal or greater vigor, is what causes war between nations, we realize that we should seek another solution. That solution is found in training; the kind of constant, intensive training that will allow us to defend ourselves physically should that be necessary, but more practically, the kind of training that strips away false pretensions and fears and egos and leaves us with a feeling of quiet pride and invulnerable self-worth. The man or woman who has perservered daily, monthly, yearly through the sessions of punching, kicking, and other gymnastic contortions required in a normal karate lesson knows that they have endured experiences that much of the rest of society could never even attempt. It is this knowledge that permits us to smile and fling off assaults on our egos.

The ability to perceive the difference between a shot at our self-image and a dangerous attack on one's self, family, or society and respond accordingly is an unmistakable sign of disciplined martial arts training.

"You cannot concern yourself about every dog that barks at you. Concern yourself only with those that mean to bite."