Artful Presence Developed in Martial Arts
The battle begins within, well before any technique. The anxiety of taking that first step can persist until you eventually find calm, or relaxation. Do you feel it? I did – not knowing what I was stepping into but knowing that I needed to.
As I was helping people and being randomly shot at, I felt clarity. There was no technique, no doubt, only quiet clear directives of necessity – get the injured to safety and stop the gunman. Time slows and shows what a rushed mind may miss. Paths toward mastery lie beyond martial moves, both within you and without you.
Some focus on “what to do if…”, as if gathering techniques for situations. This can help one to achieve a sense of presence and awareness. But a “perfect move” outside of proper context may lack the desired output. Meaning, you may not get results needed to survive if you’re afraid to be creative.
I’ve found a few types of ‘presence’ that can live within movement:
– Physical: feeling the ground, shifts of balance, and necessary tension/relaxation. Inhabiting your body, truly in the moment of your entire being. You must understand your connection to this ‘vehicle’ that you move through time and space.
– Mental: observation without judgment, and response without hesitation. The untrained often panic in the face of danger. Present minds may find better outcomes under pressure. Be kind to yourself and do the work, it isn’t easy.
– Energetic: coordination of breath, intention, and movement. Chi, soul, or spirit, whatever you call it – know it as energy or consciousness. It separates a ‘shallow’ display from those of true ‘depth’. Body and mind work together, in concert with ‘feelings’ – the essence of aliveness!
Breath may betray you; it shows and influences your current state. You should breathe in high intensity situations to calm yourself. Naturally utilize physics and mechanical advantages with breathing to increase efficiency.
Train near thresholds where technique and instinct meet. This isn’t comfortable. Challenge your technical knowledge under real pressure, then find clarity. Do not retreat into the comfort of the familiar. Build resilience upon discomfort.
Martial arts beyond self-defense orientation become self-knowledge. What might change if you focus on the quality of your presence rather than just techniques? How will your deeper sense of awareness transform your art and everyday life?
