How can YOU become both martial and spiritual?

By using martial arts, not as a source of violence, but as a way to better understand violence. With a good understanding of violence, you can develop a deeper understanding of peace which is your ultimate goal.

All we are arises from our thoughts, with our thoughts we make our world.

-Buddha

My mind works like this: I recognize that I can only be happy if I let myself be happy. I do not believe in showing off, I do not believe in punishing others, and I do not believe in violence.

All of this has come from martial arts and the buddhist religion, these have been intertwined in my life, don't get me wrong, I do not believe spirtituality comes from a religion.

Ultimately spirituality is about enriching your experience of life and to see a greater sense of meaning and purpose in life.

Which I have accomplished through Marial arts, and I am still learning, I am only 21 I have many years ahead of me.

In order to be a good fighter, you have to understand someone's intent, and your own mind. You can win every battle and still lose a war, if you don't understand what your opponent wants and what you want in return.

If you are able to understand why someone is fighting you, and you also understand why you might fight back - you can possibly end conflict without fighting at all. People who don't know how to fight at all (and know they don't know it) accomplish this all of the time. They act cowed if the intent of the opponent is to seek domination. They try to apologize if the intent is to force it out. They give over property if the intent is theft. They run if the intent is grievous harm.

People who start out in martial arts; or who simply wish to prove their mettle; see force and respond with force. To them, every problem is a nail, and they happen to be a great hammer. People who are sure of themselves do not need to do so. They do not need to prove themselves to themselves, and can better see the conflict for what it is. A good fighter not only reads movement, and telegraphs - they also can empathize with their own desires and the desires of others.

Someone does not call you a name, or pick a fight because of you - they might say it was because you stepped on your shoe or because you are a different sexual orientation from them - but most of the time it's really because they've had a bad day/week/month and are looking for someone to take it out on. You just happened to be there to give them an excuse. Knowing this (there is another reason he wants to fight), and knowing yourself (you are not less of a person for trying not to fight) gives you great variety.

In taking advantage of alternate means of conflict resolution, you can to some extent call yourself spiritual - in that you have a greater connection with your fellow man.

Good question. Martial arts should not be used by those who seek violence, but by those who wish to avoid it. In TKD, many of the instructions have double meanings, physical and spiritual. Even the translation of our first kata's name is Heaven and Earth. The colored belts signify innocence, the Sun, the Earth, The sky, danger, absence of fear, and mastery of fear. We are taught to stay balanced, not to overextend our reach and only block what is coming right at us. These can be taken as life rules, not just sparring tips.

by having balance and restraint. martial arts are about defense of your LIFE not your "rep" or your "hood" or w/e. it's survival. even a bunny rabbit will defend it's self when threatened with death. spirituality and martial arts are like a military of a peaceful people.

Wing Chun

When you practice your fighting - then practice with all your might , like if your life depended on it .

When you`re practice spiritual things ( whatever they might be ) - then do it with all intent and concentrate like if it was your last day .

Absolutely yes.

In fact they are quite unseperable.

become the karate kid