Recognition (As Well As Guilt), Through Association

  There are numerous groups throughout the Martial Arts community, that promote the fact that they emphasize that their student's are often required to study TCM (traditional Chinese medicine). They base this reasoning upon the belief that one must be knowledgeable of TCM's meridian lines/points in order to exploit/utilize them for defensive purposes.

   

  If one hasn't figured out by now  that “I " don't subscribe to this drivel (#1 your stupid), then you haven't really been paying attention. That choice was not made (solely) from any outside influences, but from my own research into it's applicability (to what I teach/Do).

     

  Keeping in mind that even a stopped watch is correct twice a day, TCM similarly has individual portions which do contain a level of validity to them. The infamous “meridian lines” are regularly miss-used by these groups, but they excuse themselves by stating that they're only using them as a general reference source (?). Really?, when was the last time you had someone perform acupuncture in a general location upon you? (And if so, then why don't you just buy a chart with all the point locations and do it yourself?)

    

  I've (actually, LOL) Read “The Web that has no Weaver”, and it's cohort, “Book of the 5 Elements” , Both amounted to being More philosophical than practical, they only covered acupuncture theory, and barely mentioned herbs and physical therapy (Both of which, are a major part of Chinese Medicine that never get mentioned). Both books also Give Western medicine short shrift, and exaggerates the abilities of Chinese medicine in general. The numerous contradictions and generalities made in these books should be enough to make even the most devout pupil, skeptical of their contents.

   

  These texts could only be used as general references, because there is NO consistency to either of them. They are both filled with redundant inconsistency’s and contradictions that make any attempts to apply rules (that could be followed for their inclusion), impossible.

  These texts, are the framework for charlatans to build their structures of deceit upon. They were never intended for the applications that are repeatedly being applied to them. Acupuncture, (in general) is a Healing art. It possesses NO teachings of (intentional) harm. The so-called “Cycle of Destruction” was NOT intended for application of (any) martial art system (it is intended to be an explanation of the bodies ability to breakdown the equivalency of infections and such).

   

  TCM did NOT gain it's popularity because of martial arts, it became popular because of it's (limited) use of drugs. That fact also is the reason why it became less and less popular to begin with (Western medicine could very often actually CURE you, not just make you feel good).

    

  Does that mean that it's all fake? No, (not in my opinion anyway). For treating, and even aiding in healing certain afflictions, I think it can prove quite helpful, just NOT for martial arts.

   

  It baffles me, why these individual's would believe this nonsense. The fact that you strike a particular location (and create a result) does Not equate to validating all the other nonsense that these guy's are pushing. 

      

  The only answer that I can establish, is that these individual's have no other excuses to use that would justify their own inability to perform the required actions. If they can make it confusing (enough) then they can point in several directions when they screw-up whatever it is they're doing (or at least attempting to do, LOL).

   

  I'm aware that there are a few RyuTe member's that actually pursue this stupidity (and they have my apathetic sympathy). By doing so, those individual's have completely abandoned Taika's teachings, and will become trapped in the bottomless (and answer-less) pit that is this direction of practice. 

     

  What their reason for doing so might actually be, is beyond my own understanding. I abandoned that direction of study (over) 20yrs. Ago, and my practice has only progressed since having done  so.

   

  I've mentioned (granted, only in passing) the isolationist attitude that would seem to be appearing in a few of the (individual) RyuTe schools. It's my own opinion, that this is what lead to the more recent dismissal's of some of those RyuTe member's/schools.

   

  Virtually All of those schools/instructor's forbid or at least convinced their (yudansha) students that there was no point for them to attend Taika's classes (not that they did so either, LOL).

   

  With the passing of Tashi Logue, the Association Guideline Manual (for Dojo Owners) is being rewritten (a long overdue task). Numerous Dojo owners aren't even aware that they are out of compliance. That should soon be rectified (or at least they will be aware of being so, in order to correct it).

   

  I believe we're all entitled to make mistakes (or at least, poor/ignorant choices). I believe the real question is, will we recognize the difference between what's right, and what isn't.

   

  For those that were removed/expelled from the Association, I've seen the reasons for their having been done so. Despite the numerous Half-truths and Lies that have been presented by/for those individual's to gain sympathy, they (definitely) don't deserve any.

  Of course human nature being what it is, there's always somebody looking to capitalize off of the efforts of others. Usually, it's a student's gullibility that's being exploited. But Unfortunately, that can also include ignoring the provision of Recognition, when it's actually due.

  
 This association has always had guidelines to be followed by it's member's. Though not everyone was always aware of those guidelines, it has always been a simple matter to ask. Too often, it's just been easier (and more profitable) to just assume that what will be financially more profitable for yourself is correct, and ignore anything that might work against that belief.  

  It's that same premiss (money), which is the major motivator for the TCM nonsense. If your skill, or abilities are so lacking, that you have to resort to this tripe, then maybe it's time you quit (claiming to teach) martial arts.