Walking With The Tengu

When we suspect things are going to go bad more than is realistic then we are susceptible to the pessimism bias. Find out how car tires and martial arts training relates in this micro-episode.

MSD - Mental Self-Defense

To sign up for new episode notifications and to receive the "Very Brief Introduction to Philosophy for Martial Artists" PDF as well as a full translation of Chapter 51 of the Budoushoshinshu about disciplined martial arts training... go to: walkingtengu.wix.com/tengu and scroll to the bottom to enter your email.

Image Credit: Jan Matejko

How could iaido, a solo form based method of sword-drawing, have any practical impact on my jiu-jitsu training? Having freshly returned from an iaido seminar in the Pacific Northwest of the United States I make an attempt in this episode to articulate better the answer to that question and provide some thoughts on my experiences at my first iaido seminar. Plus, what are hopefully some helpful constructive criticisms that can help other newcomers better navigate the iaido waters for the first time.

My etiquette notes: https://walkingtengu.wixsite.com/tengu/post/how-to-navigate-iaido-seminar-etiquette

Free solo jiu-jitsu instructional: https://bjjfanatics.com/products/self-master-solo-bjj-training-drills-by-john-danaher

To sign up for new episode notifications and to receive the "Very Brief Introduction to Philosophy for Martial Artists" PDF as well as a full translation of Chapter 51 of the Budoushoshinshu about disciplined martial arts training... go to: walkingtengu.wix.com/tengu and scroll to the bottom to enter your email.

When we judge the likelihood of future events based on how often they have occurred in the past we engage in something that can be called The Gambler's Fallacy. This incorrect thinking can impact our ability to make good choices be it in training, sparring, self-defense, or life. 

MSD - Mental Self-Defense 

To sign up for new episode notifications and to receive the "Very Brief Introduction to Philosophy for Martial Artists" PDF as well as a full translation of Chapter 51 of the Budoushoshinshu about disciplined martial arts training... go to: walkingtengu.wix.com/tengu and scroll to the bottom to enter your email. 

Image Credit: The Gamblers Painting by Michelangelo Caravaggio

Inspired by Randel Davis from the Kung Fu Conversations podcast (@kfconversations) Dean Suter of the Musha Shugyo podcast (@mushashugyopodcast) and I discuss the question: "What is the difference between the ancient and modern warrior?"

Other participating in this collaborative effort with their own unique take and martial backgrounds include:

The Dirt Wasp Podcast

Budo Etc

Talking Fists

Way of the Fist

Budo Brothers

Martial Thoughts Podcast

Whistlekick Martial Arts Radio

Today we return to our origins with a short story or parable from Issai Chozanshi's Daoist work the Inaka Soshi, sometimes translated as "The Hayseed Daoist."

The story today is about a rat who prayers fervently to the gods that all the cats in the world be kicked to death at once. He's got some thoughts about why this prayer is reasonable and then an old toad gives him some feedback on his prayer request... and a story about free market economics and salt monopolies.

This story has some important lessons for the modern martial artist about our intentions and introspection on self-inflicted problems.

Also you'll learn how to distinguish a nekomata from a bakeneko, two different kinds of cat spirits in Japanese folklore!

For more information on nekomata check out Uncanny Japan's episode on the topic at: https://uncannyjapan.com/podcast/supernatural-cats-nekomata/

To sign up for new episode notifications and to receive the "Very Brief Introduction to Philosophy for Martial Artists" PDF as well as a full translation of Chapter 51 of the Budoushoshinshu about disciplined martial arts training... go to: walkingtengu.wix.com/tengu and scroll to the bottom to enter your email.

Image Credit: Unknown

This first bias we look at is known as "fundamental attribution error." This is when we judge others differently than how we judge ourselves when we do the same thing. It's pretty common and I relate examples both from general life and the martial arts. Plus with some bonus Stoic quotes for good measure on how to guard ourselves from this bias.

To sign up for new episode notifications and to receive the "Very Brief Introduction to Philosophy for Martial Artists" PDF as well as a full translation of Chapter 51 of the Budoushoshinshu about disciplined martial arts training... go to: walkingtengu.wix.com/tengu and scroll to the bottom to enter your email.

Image Credit: Bernard Trebacz "Argument"

This first fallacy we look at is known as anecdotal. Often referred to as "anecdotal evidence" we find this fallacy all through the martial arts world and is often at the heart of our martial arts delusions. 

To sign up for new episode notifications and to receive the "Very Brief Introduction to Philosophy for Martial Artists" PDF as well as a full translation of Chapter 51 of the Budoushoshinshu about disciplined martial arts training... go to: walkingtengu.wix.com/tengu and scroll to the bottom to enter your email.

Image Credit: Unknown

We spend a lot of time talking about physical self-defense. However, what can we do to protect our minds from being led astray or manipulated? Today we lay the ground for a new series on how to recognize and protect yourself from bad thinking.

Bad thinking leads to bad conclusions, which leads to bad training and ultimately to bad outcomes. The martial arts and self-defense worlds of today are rife with bad thinking.

To sign up for new episode notifications and to receive the "Very Brief Introduction to Philosophy for Martial Artists" PDF as well as a full translation of Chapter 51 of the Budoushoshinshu about disciplined martial arts training... go to: walkingtengu.wix.com/tengu and scroll to the bottom to enter your email.

Image Credit: Unknown

What does one do when the warrior ethos calls someone to do something to express loyalty and gratitude... but the laws of the nation prohibit it? 

Daidouji has some thoughts in the final chapter of the Budoushoshinshu. In many ways this is the capstone to Daidouji's thoughts on what a warrior should do when there are no wars to be fought. 

Also, ghosts.

To sign up for new episode notifications and to receive the "Very Brief Introduction to Philosophy for Martial Artists" PDF as well as a full translation of Chapter 51 of the Budoushoshinshu about disciplined martial arts training... go to: walkingtengu.wix.com/tengu and scroll to the bottom to enter your email.

Image: Toyokuni "Ghost of Koheiji"

What happens when we give strategic advice and it goes bad?

What does this have to do with Victorian era sea-captains?

Why did Daidouji think Yamamoto Kansuke was a good example and why do I disagree?

Daidouji has some thoughts for his young charges and I interpret through the lens of a modern reader.

To sign up for new episode notifications and to receive the "Very Brief Introduction to Philosophy for Martial Artists" PDF as well as a full translation of Chapter  51 of the Budoushoshinshu about disciplined martial arts training... go to: walkingtengu.wix.com/tengu and scroll to the bottom to enter your email.

Image: "Kanesuke Yamamoto dies in the battle of Kawanakajima" by Tsukioka Yoshitoshi (19th century)