Fighting

Lots of martial artists, especially around East Central Indiana are often referred to as “Fighters”. It is usually used as a term of respect.
That said, despite my rough looks, there aren’t many who know me that would call me a Fighter. I’ve always done everything I could to avoid fighting, whether physical, verbal, or other. As a martial art teacher, I feel compelled to pass this attitude on to my students.
Reconciling the path of nonviolence with the study of martial art is not easy. I see the struggle behind my students’ eyes when I’m demonstrating something particularly violent and destructive. “I could never do that,” their eyes say to me.
Embracing the paradox is, I think, the key to this. I try to take the “Middle Path” by choosing a life of nonviolence, and accepting that there will be times when violence is required. I believe that either extreme will lead to perpetuation of old cycles.