Fraud increases as the public's education level drops

The number of illegitimate organizations and pseudo-masters increases each year. They are not just a nuisance, they take money from unsuspecting students, they teach techniques that may get the students injured or killed in a self-defense situation, and they advocate illegal responses to self-defense situations. These pseudo-masters may claim that their macho egos had nothing to do with their reasons for founding a new martial art, but is it only a coincidence that nearly all of them are male and most of them are egotistical.

An old Zen parable says, "The finger that points to the moon is not the moon." The one who points to the truth does not necessarily speak the truth. The one who teaches a martial art is not the martial art. Do not mistake the finger for the moon.

A martial art is similar to a religion; it relies on believers. Christians believe that God loves everyone and that, in respect to non-believers, God said "vengeance is mine." Militant Muslims believe God hates non-Muslims and that he requires them to kill non believers. Each of the two religions have people who are ardent believers and think that their way is the right way. Just because a person sincerely believes his or her religious belief is right, it does not necessarily make the religion right. Just because a pseudo-master sincerely believes his or her martial art is legitimate, it does not mean it is a legitimate martial art. Do not confuse belief with fact.

Most masters earned their status through legitimate means and they have no respect for illegitimate organizations or pseudo-masters, no matter how much good they appear to be doing for the martial arts. Just because a fraud does some good does not make him or her less a fraud. Take the mafia dons for example. They are loved by the people in their neighborhoods for their generosity. The neighbors do not know, have forgotten, or do not care that the dons got their power and wealth by illegal means; they only care what the dons are doing for them.

When it comes to evaluating a martial art, my basic premise is, if the techniques are as effective as claimed, why is it that professional fighters are not using the techniques to win and make more money. Granted, techniques that are inherently deadly cannot be used in sports, but if a unique punching or kicking style or some other special techniques are effective, then why do not the professionals use them. Why is it that professional fighters do not use an earth punch? As may be seen in UFC style fighting events or in street fights, what is effective in fighting is hitting the other person with a lot of basic punches and kicks while avoiding getting hit as much as possible. All the martial art BS put out by many “masters” exists only increase the egos and bank accounts of the purveyors of the BS.

When a master or instructor starts talking as if he or she was from another world—beware! A martial art is not quantum physics, it about humans fighting each other using their hands, feet, and brains, just as they have for millions of years. It is not complicated. When someone ties to make it seem complicated—beware!

Check out your organization, master, school, and instructors before you get too attached.

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