What is the place of martial arts in our world and in our lives?

With the popularization of martial arts and the recent explosions in the Western world, it really makes me reflect on the various aspects of martial arts. Now, a large portion of the people I know have done all sorts of martial arts from the mundane to the exotic – everything ranging from Karate and Tae Kwon Do to Jiu Jitsu and Muay Thai to Systema and Jeet Kune Do. Why is this?

The first and foremost reason that is usually given for martial arts is “self-defense”. The knowledge of martial arts gives one the ability to defend themselves should they come under attack, whether it’s bullying at school or a bar brawl. I’m sure that this could be a legitimate reason for some. The second reason cited, generally, is confidence. Martial arts gives a person the confidence they need to believe in themselves and their scope of abilities, amplifying their achievements in seemingly non-adjacent fields.

Now we’re getting somewhere.

Martial arts is not just a system. It’s not just a series of kicks and punches. It is a philosophy, it is a way of life, it is a purpose. It is two things that come together as one, and I will be painfully obvious here: the martial, and the art.

Martial correlates to warfare. Battle. Combat. The martial aspect of the art is to engage in combat with the opponent. It is to close in and destroy the enemy. Whether to defeat him in a competition or to best him in mortal combat, taking his life. While it is simple to say that the martial aspect deals only with the physical, this is simply untrue. Simply practicing and refining movements, forms, and techniques is not enough to win a battle. It will suffice against weak enemies, but against true warriors, you cannot prevail. Martial training for battle fitness requires physical, mental, and spiritual acuity.

The Art. In my opinion, all art is concerned with one thing only: it is the true expression of an artist’s soul. As he said: “The artless art is the art of the soul at peace, like moonlight mirrored in a deep lake. The ultimate aim of the artist is to use his daily activity to become a past master of life, and so lay hold of the art of living. Masters in all branches of art must first be masters of living, for the soul creates everything.” How true that is.

So, why is it a martial art? Because these two things go hand in hand perfectly. You cannot have one without the other. And this is something we’re lacking so much in the modern world. I want to be able to ask a martial artist why he does martial arts – and to hear an answer that isn’t “self-defense” or “confidence”. These are superficial answers that are not befitting of a martial artist. These are a hobbyist’s answers.

What is the aim of martial arts? It is to master the art of life. It is to defeat oneself. But most martial arts schools that I have either attended or visited or heard of, all only seem concerned with one small portion of training and development. They want to show someone how to look good, how to follow the movements, but they don’t train fighters. They don’t train artists. And they don’t even teach a full martial aspect.

Is this for everyone? No, of course not. But, it should be. Everyone should want to be trained physically – and rigorously. Everyone should be made to look deep into themselves and discover their fundamental truths – and be taught a spiritual awareness that is nonreligious. They should learn that fighting is not fought to win. Fighting is nothing – your opponent is a mirror. It is an opportunity to discover yourself. It is a chance to further your soul.

This fractured approach to a total art underlies our society’s superficiality and simplistic approach. We focus only on the secular, the physical, the immediate. Martial arts is much more than this. It is a conditioning and a belief and a commitment, one that lasts a lifetime. Fighting is only the first stage, the first step along the long road. It’s such a cliche to say that a true martial artist is one that does not fight, but it’s true.

I would one day like to see a school that incorporates all aspects of true martial arts along with regular education. One that instills into its students a sense of pride, responsibility, and self-awareness that transcends fighting ability. And if one does not exist, I would very much like to see if I can start one.

Would you attend such a school? Would you send your children?