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The spiritual side of martial arts is a choice. It does not matter if you chose soccer, baseball, or martial arts, you have a choice to live a spiritually guided life or not. The type of person dedicated to martial arts, and the type of person who chooses to walk a spiritually guided life, are similar. Both groups are:
  • Disciplined
  • They have a desire to do what is right
  • Open to coaching
  • Humbled
  • Focused
  • Seeking truth for their being

The first known martial artists were Shaolin Monks from China around the 5th century. Very spiritual men who chose to live a spiritually guided life.

The word “Do” (as in Judo, Aikido, Tae Kwon Do) means “way” or the path you choose to walk. Few martial arts systems in the United States of America (USA) promote a spiritual side. Usually the martial art classes in the USA are viewed as a service business. This is where there is a transfer of money to a Martial Arts Instructor in exchange for his/her knowledge to gain an understanding of martial arts movement to defend yourself or participate in a martial arts sporting event.

In breaking down one's being to its simplest components, a person is made up of three parts:

  1. A spirit, which controls your mind
  2. A mind, which controls your body
  3. A body, which performs the actions of your mind

The Attacker(s) who wants to harm you for no reason generally has a corrupt spirit, or no spiritual development. The Attacker may or may not feel conviction when their mind tells them, “Hey lets harm this person”, the mind proceeds to tell the body to “Attack!” and the Attacker moves in to do harm.

The Apostle Paul states in the New International Version of the Bible in Colossians verse 1 : 21-22

And you, who once were alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now He has reconciled in the body of His flesh through death, to present you holy, and blameless, and above reproach in His sight.

Understand that the Attacker has not developed their spiritual side. Or has willfully chosen to disobey their conscience (mind) out of the desire to do evil. Also, understand that this person (or hopefully not a group of Attackers) is interested in harming your body, not your mind, or your spirit.

Your goal to defend yourself is to use the components that comprise you as a person (spirit, mind, body) to CHANGE the Attackers mind about attacking you. You can use your spirit to pray, or ask for divine intervention. You can use your mind to out think your Attacker to get away. Or you can use your body to attack the Attacker and put the person in so much pain that they don't want to attack you any more. Or use any combination of the three.

As the President of True Power Martial Arts, I have had the opportunity to meet and train with many people from many cultures. As we share stories and get to know each other, many students have shared their spiritual beliefs with me. Our system does not discriminate against other religious beliefs. I for one, started my martial arts journey without a spiritual foundation. I believe most people have a deep desire to seek the truth. As I was introduced to reading the Bible, I realized the True Power within me is Jesus Christ, my Lord and Savior.

The New International Version of the Bible states, 1 Peter verse 4 : 10-11

Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God's grace in its various forms. If anyone speaks, he should do it as one speaking the very words of God. If anyone serves, he should do it with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To Him be the glory and power forever and ever. Amen.

I believe one of my gifts, and many of our instructor's gifts are to teach the martial arts and to treat others as we would want to be treated. Through our words and actions I hope we get this message across.

Lou Costabile, President, True Power Martial Arts, Inc.

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