Attitudes of attack/no-attack and going into the attack

In most situations the person attacked is not aware of the impending problem. This can be overcome by developing the proper attitudes of street safety. This book will help you develop an overall safety consciousness, but maintaining a sense of awareness of your surroundings regardless of where you are is essential. The simple act of walking down the street can be a defense mechanism if you are conscious of where you are and maintain an attitude of self-preservation.

Going into the attack is about commitment to what you are doing. It is, therefore, a requirement that you understand the specifics of individual tactics including proper form and technique. This is sound thinking, and with continued practice, you will come to understand the reasoning behind it. It is essential thinking for realization of accomplishment of any action, certainly in self-defense where life and death may hang in the balance. Though this concept may sound alien for any number of reasons, perhaps because of a natural reaction to flinch or to move away from certain forms of danger, it is, nonetheless, essential.

The attitudes of knowing when to do something and when not to do something coupled with the attitude of going into the attack takes some thought and practice, plus an acceptance of yourself as the most important person you know.

Practice and reality become the same thing when you are sincere in your endeavor. To further illustrate this, consider attacking the attack rather than attacking the attacker. Though this may seem esoteric at this point in your training, the reality is that you will be empowered to alleviate the fear of thinking that you may be overwhelmed by an attacker’s size, bravado, or the weapon being employed against you. This idea will become clearer as you progress and the sound thinking behind it will become apparent. Attack the attack and not the attacker with an intense desire to win—or don’t waste your time.

Excerpt from The Hanshi's Guide to Ultimate Self-Defense

© SFKaufman 2011

For more info on the author, visit www.hanshi.com