Hype

In the process of research and development, one thing becomes very clear: martial arts is slathered in HYPE.

Death touch, disappearing ninjas, killing bulls...it's just everywhere.

In my years as a martial artist, research and development is simply part of the terrain. You simply can't improve without going through the often trying process of researching, thinking you have a lead on great knowledge...then coming up with nothing.

The most important thing I've learned in JKD is to simply, VERY simply, find what works for you. That's it, simple philosophy, no?

One thing I've found very striking over the years is that one finds GOLD for oneself...UNDERNEATH the hype. There are quite a few organizations/systems that really have nothing useful for me. But there were also quite a few that changed my whole outlook, even though these orgs/systems/instructors were in the maelstrom of their own hype.

My point simply is that, in the process of finding effective self-knowledge, we often have to wade through layers of muck, to find the gold we're looking for. Yep, it's often unsavory, but sometimes the gold truly is real.

Was it so long ago that a few skinny Brazilians came to the US...to hype themselves as the real thing? 1992, when Royce tore through everyone? 2000 when the first chinks in the armor fell, when Royler lost to Sak? Then Renzo?

The hype is never real, but the knowledge will always stay. The Gracies were never really "undefeated"...but we still roll on the mats, discovering our own glory.

Great stuff...

Truer words...

I train like this.

Makes sense.

Great post, bro.