For some, their belief of the Isshinryu System has become a matter of identity. They identify themselves strongly with what they understand about this system that it resulted in the creation of a dogma, a tribal system and a driving belief that in lieu of supporting a life it drives that life.
It has become a tribal survival thing where any perceived attack on that group triggers a violent response to protect the tribe so it may survive. It doesn't matter whether the attack, the attack being some submission of proof of facts, etc., is actually true, relevant and the driving force toward necessary change, it is perceived only as an attack and that triggers the monkey brain to protect and the monkey brain knows that what currently exists worked in the past and the monkey survived then so it should survive again.
Some have built such a strong connection with their belief system that any perceived change or attempt to contradict that belief results in conflict. The protection of that belief is so strong that often it clouds the mind where the monkey brain pushes its past successful agenda to the front and the instinct to leave that previously successful model alone is even stronger. Change for the Lizard brain and the Monkey brain is almost set it stone where the conscious, human brain, effort must be strong and capable to smooth over the stone to allow new change to take place.
It was once stated by Nakazone Sensei, "... differences in opinion are a good thing. However, it is not good either to hold on too tightly to your opinion. When this happens you will fall astray. Someone who seriously trains in karate must study widely and train deeply. They must always bear in mind to train their bodies otherwise they will lose their way and become vain, shallow and filled with nothing but ambition."
It was also said by an unknown, "It’s like a village that has no birds. When someone points to a bat and calls it a bird, they believe him."
Pictures are worth a thousand words but often pictures can be deceiving and subject to the memories and perceptions of persons often subject to human nature where memories are often changed as they are encoded to reflect a previous belief along with being subjected to perceptions and influences of their own culture, beliefs and the environments they are exposed to over time. Even then as time ages us our memories of even pictures, that don't change, become muddled and confused where the mind then sets a belief to the moment according to what makes the individual feel comfortable, secure and still a member of the tribe, the group and the social structure to which their identity is tied, strongly.
Should this person or persons be held in contempt because they strongly stay with something that may be wrong or is wrong? Do they deserve to lose the respect of others simply because they cannot make the change? Do they lose the respect and admiration of their tribe if they do make that change?
When you feel the monkey jumping up to strongly and resentfully refute some new stimulus, stop, put the monkey back in its cage and actively listen. Then use "Millers Law," "In order to understand what another person is saying, you must assume that it is true and try to imagine what it could be true of." - Dr. George Miller, Psychologist. (Note: It is not an easy thing!)
Remember, when you encounter such strong resistance don't assume the person is making things personal or emotional. Often it is something that controls them and I believe when the monkey returns to its cage for that person and the spend some time thinking things through that is some cases they will actually realize the reality of things and accept some changes. Not all, but some and that is progress.
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