Martial Arts - The Psyche Within
Introduction
Introduction
The Fascination of Martial Arts – Martial arts (MAs) are often associated with fighting techniques. It is true, I think, that combat is an inherent part of MAs, however, that is only one element of the entire phenomenon of MAs. The context in which a MA has developed perhaps plays a role in how much of „martial‟ or of an „art‟, there is within any one MA system. Another distinction when comparing MAs systems relates to their spiritual and psychological/therapeutic dimensions. For that, one needs to look into the evolution of the MAs systems to understand their all-encompassing aspects.
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This chapter is structured into three parts. Firstly, Ron Roberts and I examine the misconceptions in the West that MAs are nothing but a set of skills to fight.
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Secondly, I explore the other dimensions of MAs, such as the importance of Ki in Budo or the Way of the Warrior and the parallels between Ki and Jung‟s concept of psychic energy found in the wisdom tradition of Alchemy.
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Finally, I focus on the parallels found between spiritual maturation, the path of the spiritual pilgrim on the quest to wholeness and the martial artist on the Way of the Warrior leading to Self-realisation. In addition, I discuss the works of two analytical psychologists.
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Psychological/Therapeutic Aspects of Martial Arts
- With Ron Roberts
Ron Roberts and I have jointly written this section on psychological/therapeutic aspects of MAs, and it needs some introduction and explanation. ... for many years I have been involved with MAs and whilst I studied Psychology as an undergraduate with Ron as my supervisor I had the opportunity to carry out some comparative analysis on the physical and mental health of a group of MAs students and physical fitness practitioners. This chapter is the product of the work we started then and the work I continued during my postgraduate studies in Analytical Psychology. In spring 2010, a version of this section entitled Martial and Mental Health appeared in the spring issue of Contemporary Psychotherapy.
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Spiritual Dimension of Martial Arts
“Martial arts are a spiritual challenge not a physical one.”
- Ronny Yu
“Martial arts are a spiritual challenge not a physical one.”
- Ronny Yu
Masters of MAs have transferred from generation to generation their spiritual teachings that Western psychology refers to as power within. Eastern/Indian philosophies and religions conveyed such concepts to the Chinese who labeled it as Chi.58 Only later did the concept of energy enter Japan (around the 7th century), where it was named Ki, heavily influenced by Zen, joined with the local Japanese view on nature and the cycle of reincarnation.59 With the rise of the Samurai, in the 11th century, later development of MAs in Japan, Ki took a centre role in the teaching of some masters. For instance, O Sensei (The Great Teacher) Morihei Ueshiba, the founder of Aikido said:
“In all arts, including martial arts, superiority is determined through training and practice, but true excellence is dependent of Ki. The grandeur of heaven and earth, the brilliance of sun and moon, the changing of the seasons, heat and cold, birth and death (…).”
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Martial Arts – The Way of the Warrior
Frances Vaughn, a practitioner of Humanistic and Transpersonal psychology enquires, in her article on spiritual intelligence, how one can „contribute to psychological wellbeing and overall healthy human development.‟ 77 Although, I will not define or discuss spiritual intelligence here, I found Vaughn‟s definitions of spirituality, spiritual maturation and the spiritual path relevant to this topic and helpful to put these aspects in the context of psycho-spiritual development of martial artists.
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In this respect, the most relevant definitions of spirituality are:
“a) Spirituality is itself a separate developmental line; b) spirituality is an attitude (such as openness to love) at any stage and c) spirituality includes peak experiences not stages.”
Spiritual maturation, as she understands it, “implies exercising wisdom and compassion in relationship to other people, regardless of gender, creed, age, or ethnic origin, as well as reverence and respect for all forms of life.”
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The spiritual path to spiritual maturity unfolds through contemplative practices, such as mindfulness, yoga and MAs when one is longing for wholeness, understanding and peace of mind or equanimity in the face of life‟s adversity.
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I think, all these metaphors of transformation show a similarity with Budo or the middle path of MAs in that they acknowledge a journey of the Self not in flashes of inspiration, but in stages of learning.
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Donahue, an analytical psychologist and second-degree black belt in Chung Moo (1500 years old Chinese MA), contends that the Way of the Warrior (Budo or middle path as described above) is a metaphor for Self-realisation.
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