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True
self-defense does not stop with defending oneself
against others but strives to make oneself worthy
of defense by nature herself.
― Koich Tohei. Aikido: Coordination of Mind and Body for Self Defence |
The arts of self-defense might be called those arts used to protect oneself. This is in fact an extremely superficial definitions. What then is the true definition of self-defense?
Often in traveling over the boundless seas as a passenger on an ocean liner, we are made to realize how our physical existence is powerless against circumstances.
Or standing on the peak of a high mountain and looking down upon the scenery below, you thought of countless men too small to be seen with the naked eye, injuring each other, trapping each other, making great efforts to protect themselves from each other. How puny are our efforts and how uncertain their existence.
The physical existence of each small individual can never be assured by the effort of himself alone. You are forced to admit that you owe your existence to the protection of nature. So long a nature allows it you will live, but the very second that she decrees your death, you cease to exist.
Mankind affirms the omnipotence of Nature. From such large bodies as the sun, moon or a wood, all are manifestations of nature's power. We may call it nature, God, or anything else we may so desire, but men everywhere revere nature's almighty power.
What is your heart should stop beating while you are asleep at night? The following morning you are no longer able to greet yourself in your mirror as you shave.
How fortunate it is for you, even as you sleep at night, oblivious to everything, that there is a benign protecting force over you. Your heart continues to regularly pump away, that in the morning you wake to another glorious day. No thanks to your own efforts in this regard.
You did not protect yourself consciously at night while your slept nor did you in your daily life while awake. Remember always that you live under the protection of some mysterious force.
This force is nature, it's God, it's what you wish to call it. Therefore, true self-defense does not stop with defending oneself against others but strives to make oneself worthy of defense by nature herself. It respects the principles of nature when man observes the principles of nature, he helps to make them the principles of humanity because they are directed toward the food of humanity. One who wholeheartedly believes this and practices it will have learned true self-defense.
If you know only a little about the arts of self-defense and brag about that knowledge or use it to feed your vanity your mind has become separated from the mind of nature and it's working is contrary to the principles of sincerity. Though you may master the arts of self-defense against everything, if your mind is not right, someday you must fail.
Do not think to prevail over your adversity. Think rather of prevailing over self. Do your best to do what you should do. In other words, you must train yourself to follow the principles of nature and improve and integrate your personality.
When your mind and your acts become one with nature, then nature will protect your. Leave both your mind and body to nature. Do not recognize friend or foe in your mind. In your heart, let there be generosity as large as the sea, which accepts both clean and unclean water. Let your mind be as merciful as nature, which loves the smallest tree or blade of grass. Let your mind be strong with sincerity that can pierce iron and stone. Replay the favors of nature, work for the public good and make yourself a man who nature is pleased to let live.
This then is the true meaning of self-defense.