A Martial Artist Is Not A Mindless Fighter Relying Solely On Brute Force, Poem by Daya Nandan

Martial arts is not just about fighting, it teaches so much more,
More than lessons to break bricks, more than power to break the floor,
It teaches ways to unleash the hidden potential of the mind, body and soul,
It teaches you to think straight and keep your emotions under control,

For untamed emotions are dangerous and can tarnish the purity of the soul,
When it drives you to hurt others without evidence, mercy or control,
Martial artists must tame their anger, hatred, remorse and sorrow,
For these will could judgement and destroy a better tomorrow,

A martial artist is not a mindless fighter relying solely on brute force,
Nor a blood lusting fighter rampaging like a rabid wild horse,
A martial artist is a scholar with a noble passion for knowledge,
More than a fighter who is a master of his body and weapon's edge

Anatomy, physiology, psychology and physics are things he must know,
For without such knowledge true skill is something that will never show,
Martial arts is not a set of moves, it is an expression of the human form,
Lessons that you learn will indirectly teach you to walk through life's storm,

To master a fighting discipline one must master discipline itself,
And doing so will unlock the hidden powers within one's self,
Most see martial arts as a means of fighting and nothing more,
But it helps you understand yourself, it helps unlock the hidden door,

Martial arts teaches meditation for martial arts also trains the mind,
It teaches focus so that hidden swirling energy within you can find,
Martial arts strengthens the body as well as inner strength too,
Martial arts will help you find and reveal the true you,

It will teach you to draw courage from persistence, passion and courage,
As well as the importance of a clear mind unclouded by anger and rage,
It strengthens the practitioners spiritually, it truly strengthens the soul,
Hence grand masters are still powerful even though they are old,

Martial arts as the name vividly says is actually a form of art,
Connected to the depths of one's soul, embracing the human heart,
Far more than the skills of disarming every gun, sword and knife,
Martial arts is a form of teachings, martial arts are a way of life,