Caveat: This post is mine and mine alone. I the author of this blog assure you, the reader, that any of the opinions expressed here are my own and are a result of the way in which my meandering mind interprets a particular situation and or concept. The views expressed here are solely those of the author in his private capacity and do not in any way represent the views of other martial arts and/or conflict/violence professionals or authors of source materials. It should be quite obvious that the sources I used herein have not approved, endorsed, embraced, friended, liked, tweeted or authorized this post. (Everything I think and write is true, within the limits of my knowledge and understanding.)
The dojo hierarchal make up with Sensei at the top and the various senpai and kohai throughout is actually, to my perspective, a social monkey dynamic where status, etc., are dominant. If this assessment is true it goes a long way to explain why there is so much monkey antics in the martial arts communities.
When you read some of the materials I recommend in my bibliography about the differences between the social and asocial conflict and violence you will find references to the monkey brain and a lot of the status seeking type monkey crap you find is often about a hierarchal model where folks are trying to impress the higher ups along with competing to gain status in the group.
It seems that when entering a dojo with a hierarchal model typically thought of as traditional martial practices you will see a variety monkey-ish behaviors that relate to the descriptions of the monkey dances, group dynamics and status driven controls.
In the best of worlds where one seeks out self-defense it might also best serve that model of martial arts by seeking out training facilities that don’t cater to a typical traditional hierarchal model with sensei, senpai and kohai along with the belt structure. It seems, on the surface, that having a social conflict and violence model present and influencing such a training program kind of contradicts itself by having a status driven group hierarchal model so when teaching about self-defense, before the physical disciplines most focus on, you don’t consciously or unconsciously teach a contradictory way. Am I making any sense here.
It seems to me that once you join a self-defense program that does not cater to a social C/V (conflict/violence) model it will be apparent that those already in the class already have more experience, in the class, then you so it should be apparent that you listen first until you have time and experience with the other members, i.e., a self imposed respect model for those who came before you. Just think about it, one of the self-defense requirements I think of regards what some of the authors below call, “Conflict Communications,” and that means once you have established yourself with the others (yes, I do realize this is a form of group dynamics but that is how survival is achieved with humans and survival in the training program still requires that instinct because we are humans) then you can gradually insert yourself more in the group without miscommunicating something that is not allowed by that group.
Yes, now that you are reading it you are saying, “But, your advocating the social model that is often composed of the monkey dance, etc., right?” No, I am not because I am talking about allowing the human brain to control self in a group like this rathe that competing with the group for status and so forth. It is more about taking personal responsibilities by learning about such things then using those tools to insinuating yourself into the group gradually and with the minimal amount of friction, i.e., by assuming a role with active listening, respect and just being a nice person you earn the acceptance and through your actions you earn their notice so when you finally speak up they will listen rather than putting the new guy in his place (can anyone say a beat-down that can be verbal/psychological or an actual beat-down).
Maybe I am not articulating this right. It is about removing the outward manifestations of a rigid group dynamic of a hierarchal model that many assume is a traditional martial art dojo for a less conflict prone model that is controlled by the individual over the group itself. How one enters into such a model makes a huge difference, don’t you think?
Remove the belt system, remove the titles such a sensei, senpai and kohai, etc., and remove the competitive aspects found in sport models, i.e., with winners and losers. Everyone in the class is equal and the newbies are respectful of that until they have taken the time to listen, learn and adjust accordingly. Then, with a type of communications that foster knowledge and learning by all concerned, i.e., example, in lieu of statements use questions about everything to foster listening and positive communications that stimulate thinking, theorizing and seeking truth of fact rather than just a belief.
In a nutshell, from my perspective, creating a dojo hierarchal model with all its trappings tends to create a group dynamic that can and often does foster monkey brain social conflict and violence type activities (not in all cases, but in a lot of them).
Many of the discontents I have witnessed over the years now seems to be from our use of such trappings and in the end that stagnates the type of growth potential often philosophized in the dojo through quotes and sound-bites be seldom carried out in actions, examples and deeds of those who practice, training and believe. Isn’t that simply succumbing to the monkey? Isn’t it possible that in this way we can actually train, practice and apply MA using our human brains instead? Does one actually teach us to live the monkey rather than the human in all of us?
Primary Bibliography of Self-Defense:
MacYoung, Marc. "In the Name of Self-Defense: What It Costs. When It’s Worth It." Marc MacYoung. 2014.
Miller, Rory Sgt. "Meditations of Violence: A Comparison of Martial Arts Training & Real World Violence" YMAA Publishing. 2008.
Secondary Bibliography of Self-Defense:
Ayoob, Massad. “Deadly Force: Understanding Your Right to Self-Defense”Gun Digest Books. Krouse Publications. Wisconsin. 2014.
Goleman, Daniel. "Emotional Intelligence: 10th Anniversary Edition [Kindle Edition]." Bantam. January 11, 2012.
Miller, Rory. "ConCom: Conflict Communications A New Paradigm in Conscious Communication." Amazon Digital Services, Inc. 2014.
Miller, Rory and Kane, Lawrence A. "Scaling Force: Dynamic Decision-making under Threat of Violence." YMAA Publisher. New Hampshire. 2012
Miller, Rory. "Force Decisions: A Citizen's Guide." YMAA Publications. NH. 2012.
Miller, Rory Sgt. "Facing Violence: Preparing for the Unexpected." YMAA Publishing. 2011.
Elgin, Suzette Haden, Ph.D. "More on the Gentle Art of Verbal Self-Defense." Prentice Hall. New Jersey. 1983.
Elgin, Suzette. "The Last Word on the Gentle Art of Verbal Self-Defense" Barnes & Noble. 1995
Morris, Desmond. “Manwatching: A Field Guide to Human Behavior.” Harry N. Abrams. April 1979.
Elgin, Suzette. "The Gentle Art of Verbal Self-Defense" Barnes & Noble. 1993.
Elgin, Suzette. "The Gentle Art of Written Self-Defense" MJF Books. 1997.
Maffetone, Philip Dr. “The Maffetone Method: The Holistic, Low-stress, No-Pain Way to Exceptional Fitness.” McGraw Hill, New York. 2000
Strong, Sanford. “Strong on Defense_ Survival Rules to Protect you and your Family from Crime.” Pocket Books. New York. 1996.
and more … see blog bibliography.
Jahn, C. R. “FTW Self Defense.” iUniverse. Amazon Digital Services. 2012
Jahn, C. R. “Hardcore Self Defense.” iUniverse. Amazon Digital Services. 2002.
Jahn, C. R. “Warrior Wisdom.” iUniverse. Amazon Digital Services. 2012.
My Blog Bibliography
Cornered Cat (Scratching Post): http://www.corneredcat.com/scratching-post/
Kodokan Boston: http://kodokanboston.org
Mario McKenna (Kowakan): http://www.kowakan.com
Mokuren Dojo: http://www.mokurendojo.com
McYoung’s Musings: http://macyoungsmusings.blogspot.com
Martial Views: http://www.martialviews.com
Shinseidokan Dojo: http://shinseidokandojo.blogspot.com
The Classi Budoka: https://classicbudoka.wordpress.com
Wim Demeere’s Blog: http://www.wimsblog.com
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