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Something I wrote for another forum awhile back. Thought I'd share here...
As an instructor I use the term "fighting" because it is universally recognized and it is easy shorthand. It's also a lot more approachable to laypeople than other terms we might use. But honestly I don't care for the term "fighting".
"Fighting" implies a contest of equals.
I believe that how we frame things in our mind is meaningful. Visualization of actions/concepts can and does impact our mindset. Our ATTITUDE greatly affects our ability. To that end, I maintain that thinking in terms of "fighting" is counterproductive.
I prefer thinking in terms of predator versus prey.
The hawk does not fight the snake. The lion does not fight the antelope. They simply hunt and strike quickly, stealthily, and without mercy. There is no thought about "fighting", no "good sportsmanship", no "fair fight". There is only intense focus and will: KILL THE PREY.
It's just food. A target to be taken down immediately, with no hesitation, posturing or sparring-type dancing around. The predator may enjoy the kill, or may be dispassionate about it…it's just a task that must be completed.
FIND FOOD. KILL. EAT. CHECK.
Predators spar and "fight" with members of their species; they compete for dominance and for breeding rights. Outside their species, they just KILL.
In TRAINING, I like to think of myself as a cat, playing with a mouse. The mouse is no threat to me; it's a toy that I bend to my will. I play with it, experimenting, learning, but all the while communicating "I can kill you at any moment I choose."
This is not to say that we underestimate our prey. Predators take on dangerous prey whenever it's necessary. They recognize the danger and take action to mitigate that danger. But the attitude is the same: It is not a fight, it is killing. It is butchery. A task that must be done. A task that WILL be done.
Humans have become so civilized that they have forgotten to be good animals. Civilization is a wonderful thing and it's good that we've moved past embracing only our animal instincts and needs. But when it comes to the primal instinct of predator/prey, we must embrace the animal that we are.
As an instructor I use the term "fighting" because it is universally recognized and it is easy shorthand. It's also a lot more approachable to laypeople than other terms we might use. But honestly I don't care for the term "fighting".
"Fighting" implies a contest of equals.
I believe that how we frame things in our mind is meaningful. Visualization of actions/concepts can and does impact our mindset. Our ATTITUDE greatly affects our ability. To that end, I maintain that thinking in terms of "fighting" is counterproductive.
I prefer thinking in terms of predator versus prey.
The hawk does not fight the snake. The lion does not fight the antelope. They simply hunt and strike quickly, stealthily, and without mercy. There is no thought about "fighting", no "good sportsmanship", no "fair fight". There is only intense focus and will: KILL THE PREY.
It's just food. A target to be taken down immediately, with no hesitation, posturing or sparring-type dancing around. The predator may enjoy the kill, or may be dispassionate about it…it's just a task that must be completed.
FIND FOOD. KILL. EAT. CHECK.
Predators spar and "fight" with members of their species; they compete for dominance and for breeding rights. Outside their species, they just KILL.
In TRAINING, I like to think of myself as a cat, playing with a mouse. The mouse is no threat to me; it's a toy that I bend to my will. I play with it, experimenting, learning, but all the while communicating "I can kill you at any moment I choose."
This is not to say that we underestimate our prey. Predators take on dangerous prey whenever it's necessary. They recognize the danger and take action to mitigate that danger. But the attitude is the same: It is not a fight, it is killing. It is butchery. A task that must be done. A task that WILL be done.
Humans have become so civilized that they have forgotten to be good animals. Civilization is a wonderful thing and it's good that we've moved past embracing only our animal instincts and needs. But when it comes to the primal instinct of predator/prey, we must embrace the animal that we are.