Mortal Combat

A very interesting photo.  Here we see two snakes - a cobra and a python.  They fought - both are dead.  The python crushed the cobra with its strength, the cobra bit the python and killed it with its venom.

The influence of Hollywood movies and pop culture glorifies violence.  We watch movies like "Bloodsport", we watch or train gladiatorial combat methods like MMA/BJJ/kickboxing/Muay Thai and even imagine what it might be like if we used our Kali skills in a "real" fight.

Unfortunately, we can't know what led to the picture - fighting over potential food sources/territory or something else.  All we see is the result.  Nature is as cruel as it is beautiful and the struggle for survival is real for every species, plant and animal alike.  Humans struggle too.  Sometimes for food or resources, but also for ideology, territory, social reasons or sadly even religion.  As noble as some of these may sound, the result is rarely different from the picture. I doubt the python or the cobra set out that day expecting to die.  I suppose very few people do either.  Maybe in their last moments, neither one unable to escape or back down, they were both surprised as their lives faded away into darkness.  "Here?? Now??  Why??"

Our Kali skills are no less deadly than the crush of the python or the poison of the cobra.  Maybe more so given our ingenuity with tools and our environment and our ability to make and use so many kinds of weapons apart from just our bodies.

At the Peaceful Warrior Camp in Natai Beach, Thailand this week we saw all manner of fighting techniques involving sticks, knives, karambits, machetes and even axes, not to mention mundane items like our belts (thanks Guro Fred!!).  That said, we  should bear in mind that the results of our actions can be permanent - not just to an opponent but to ourselves.  We must always be calm and mature enough to use our skills judiciously for the protection of ourselves and others in need.

As martial artists we need to operate within the law wherever humanly possible, and apply as little force as needed to resolve any potential conflict.  As Guro Claes reminded us, it is our expert knowledge of distance, timing, structure, psychology and physiology that are the real weapons we must apply - far more than our fists and feet.  I don't ever want to go to prison and I doubt anyone else does either.
It is surely preferable to the grave, and a risk worth taking if others are potentially in danger, but in no case worthy of glorification.

Fights are not always physical - all too often we argue with others and cause them great emotional harm in the hurtful things we say.  Some of these wounds are as bad or worse than physical injuries.  Like the snakes, we all have unique attributes that make us deadly - physically and verbally and we have no shortage when it comes to ways to damage others.  This is why the Peaceful Warrior way is so important.  It is our compassion that defines us, not our ability to cause harm.

Verbal or otherwise, any fight could be our last.  Make sure it's worth it.