Hmm, looks like great minds think alike KGirl. In that case I will change my answer to the ego. Often times we have to battle with our desire to pulverize and our sense of mercy. This falls into necessary force which is covered by the law so tangentially it also has the law listed as an enemy.
Yourself. Plain and simple. It's yourself. Why? Because, at the end of the day YOU decide your reaction. While someone may confront you or attack you, it's up to YOU to get yourself home safely. It's YOU who are not aware of your surrondings and let a shady person approach you. And its YOU who deny that you're in a bad situation, preventing you from avoiding it. Its YOU who act as a victim putting yourself immediately on the defensive. Its YOU who let pride get in the way and not talk yourself out of a situation. Its YOU who, while you feel that you are going to be attacked, wait for the attack to come rather than striking first. Its YOU who are not prepared for the adrenaline dump and are suprised when you can't access your fine motor skills. Its YOU who hand not explored how far you are willing to go and do not act decisively when its called upon. It's like Ed Parker states in Zen in the Martial Arts: Don't be concerned with how to make your opponent's line shorter, it's all about how you make your line longer. In the end it's your training that matters more than their training. In the end you are your greatest enemy, and if you understand and embrace that, it is you who is your greatest ally. - Matt
Way to go Mat! All the training in the world will do nothing for you if you do not have the will to act. As my sensei says 'It is better to be sorry for what you have done , not for what you did not do'.
I have to agree with Matt and I don't believe there is a one-word answer for this question! I would just add that ”yourself” to me involves the ego for most people. I don't just mean the I'm a badass and can beat everyone mentality but the most common and victimizing one " It Won't Happen To Me" because of whatever the reason. I'm a badass, I have a Black-Belt, I have a gun, Nothing like that happens around here, I'm street smart or whatever else we fool ourselves into believing! Sincerely, Teacher: Eddie Ivester
reply O' Sensei said that the greatest fear is not the oppenent, but your emotions, he is only a representation of fear. When fighting a person your are really fighting your self, like when you face your fear heights, the height is not the problem is much as your determination to overcome your fear. :Angel:
I agree with yoda, I say cops. The law protect those scumbags.... I can get in more trouble then my attacker, if he/she end up in the hospital after my so call self defense. They most likely charge me with assulte, unless there someone to help me out as a witness, other wise your screw defending yourself. My best advice is run your ass off.
I agree with yoda and toothpaste100. Knowing when to stop or when you've won is impotant depending on the situation. Also, my biggest fear in a fight would be a gun being pulled. Next is a knife, but I feel alright with knives from training.
I'd have to say the law. Does anyone remember the post about that acupuncturist/MAist who was standing trial for some serious charges after his actions in defending some women from being raped? I do.
