V.I.P.A Tactical Training


  • Home
  • Overview of the VIPA System
  • Civilian Self Protection Program
  • Close Protection Combat Systems
  • Police Defence Tactics
  • Military Close Quarter Combat
  • Course Instructors
  • Course Dates
  • Private Tuition
  • Rock's Blog
  • Shop
  • Contact Us

Inspiration Physical - Mental - Spiritual

6/6/2013

2 Comments

 
It doesn't matter how far you are along your path, or what path you are following, at some point a little inspiration keeps you moving forward.
The cultivation of the warrior requires a balancing nature of all three aspects of the warrior self, physical, mental and the spiritual. Where one is lacking the others cannot function to their utmost capabilities in order to win on today's various battlefields. Winning is everything, surviving means living the rest of your life at best, in fear and at the worst being spoon fed by your family while you sit like a cabbage in your home.
I am not talking about motivation, if you need motivation to do your job then you are in the wrong job, if you need motivation to get out and train, run, lift weights, spar or shoot then you are certainly not on the warrior path. Motivation is a short lived experience, inspiration though is the spark that ignites a passion that will stay with you and grow with you and make your journey along your path that much more enjoyable.

I get inspiration from many sources and I usually have a top 20 list of who or what it is that inspires me.
The list below is a mixture of people who inspire me (in no particular order) in all three warrior attributes.
Picture
Physical
'We can do nothing without the body, let us take care that it is in the best condition to sustain us' - Socrates

It goes without saying that as warriors we need to be physically adept at the skills we are going to use in combat. I said above that we are looking for a balance and so it is with the physical aspect of ourselves.
As warriors we not only need to be aerobically fit, we need strength, dexterity, explosive power and so on.
Your actuallity, your employment, your chosen for of combat and you your 'Self'' will dictate the physical requirements you must work towards.
Of course you cannot do anything physical unless at first you are healthy. You will have heard the phrase ' My body is a temple' then treat it as such. Too many warriors today treat their body as a temple but by the looks of them they have converted to Buddhism.
 
Picture








Not the physique a warrior wants to cultivate!

There are many great men and women across the whole of the sporting world who can inspire you to greatness though we can also find inspiration from those who are not champions, from those who have overcome some disabilty to achieve greatness in their own endevours.

Find out who you are and what you want to be. Learn from those you feel an affinity towards, look for their moments of achievement and search for how they attained it.

Mental
'Attitude is a little thing that makes a big difference' - Winston Churchill

'If it was easy everybody would be doing it' Running the last mile of a marathon as fast as you can, fighting the last round when you are dead on your feet, winning the V.C because if you didn't do 'it' your comrades would die. It's all a state of mind and it can be trained for. Call it what you will 'Mental Toughness' 'Guts' 'Balls' 'The will to win', it is easy to give in, to capitulate, but capitulation on a civilian or military battlefield does not mean you will come away unscathed or even alive. Fighting on is a much harder option.

The ability for the mind to stay focused at that given time with no thought of what went before or what will happen later is all important. Your mind is your friend but if left to it's own devices can easily turn into your enemy just as much as the enemy standing before you.

The first mental test that has to be passed is gaining the right attitude and that attitude has to be positive. Turn every negative thought into a positive, turn every piece of bad news into a positive, turn every criticism into a positive. Smile, enjoy and see the good and positive in everything.
Picture




A positive attitude is a winning attitude and winning on your battlefiedl is everything!  





                                                                       

If you are not confident and are afraid of doing, trying, being uncomfortable outside of your comfort zone then Miyamoto Musashi's quote below is going to put you off the warriors path for good.

You are not going to learn mental thoughness from losers, whingers, failures and slackers so study the champions of sport, industry, military, politics, the leaders in those fields. Study how they achieved their goals (Goal setting - for another blog post). Practice programming your thoughts then put your thoughts into positive sentences followed by actions and stick to doing what you say you are going to do.

Warriors don't shirk from doing what is right, Warriors don't shirk from responsibilty, warrior don't fail at the first hurdle.

You will have noticed I use the term 'Stay Dangerous' hey it's a mental thing. 'Stay Safe' as most people use is too passive, not pro-active or positive. At a time when I need to protect myself, my family or someone else, staying safe while in combat is not an option and just won't cut it. Staying dangerous will.

Start with the right attitude.

Spiritual
'Generally speaking the way of the warrior is a resolute acceptence of death' - Miyamoto Musashi

When I talk about spiritual I do not mean religious. Being spiritual has nothing to do with your religion. I am a very spiritual person but I am not religious. I am talking about a state of consciousness, combat is chaos and while in the midst of chaos we need to have order. That order has to come from within us, a calmness, a tranquility that allows us to see through the chaos, to operate effectively within the chaos. This is where being 'In the zone' applies. Being comfortable in a place where most will feel uncomfortable, where the pressure is on but you 'own' it. As a warrior, in war is where you should be alive.
Picture
Meditation techniques and visualization techniques are disciplines that help us achieve that which is most needed, the ability to come to terms with what we may have to do or may have done in defence of ourselves, family or others.

As a Tactical Athlete you must seek your INNER PEACE!

Physical - Mental - Spiritual, every aspect can be learned through self education or by seeking out a teacher don't neglect any part of your warrior training.

Who or what are your inspirations?
What, with whom or how do you study?

Stay Dangerous

Rock
2 Comments
Bill Lewis
6/7/2013 09:09:40 pm

Hi Paul,
I really liked this article. I use this philosophy and I am learning and working on this on my own. I live with an enjoyable inner peace. I'd like to find a deeper knowledge on meditation and spirituality. Do you have any suggestions other than continuing to reading more from people like yourself.

Thanks,
Bill

Reply
Paul
6/9/2013 09:47:23 am

Hi Bill thanks for your comment.

I guess it all depends on what you are looking for. For me my meditation and spiritual practices are deeply personal and generally speaking although I apply them for self improvement I specifically apply them in relation to combat.

I have looked at group and one to one retreats and there is a beautiful one about 45 minutes away from where I live but in relation to combat most are not in line with what I am looking for.

For those who do offer meditation and visualisation training for the warrior mindset I have decided to go the solo route and so I download or buy there DVDs, podcasts and the like to work on my own.

As with most things combat focused, not everything works for everyone and this is the same with inner training concepts so I pick and choose the applications that are in line with my 'Self'.

If you have a specific path or have any other question then just ask away.

Reply



Leave a Reply.

    Hi and welcome to Rock's Blog
    Combat Focused
    Enjoy!

    Paul 'Rock' Higgins

    Certified Master Anti - Terrorism Specialist,
    Executive Protection Operator,
    Self Protection Instructor, speaker and author of Meditations of a Modern Warrior.

    Picture
    I am available for guest blogs, magazine and newspaper articles and speaking engagements.
    I've used Anker products for a number of years now. Great close protection tool; keeping your electronic kit fully charged. 

    Archives

    May 2017
    November 2016
    September 2016
    May 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014
    October 2014
    September 2014
    August 2014
    June 2014
    May 2014
    April 2014
    March 2014
    February 2014
    January 2014
    December 2013
    November 2013
    October 2013
    June 2013
    May 2013
    April 2013
    March 2013
    February 2013

    Categories

    All

    RSS Feed


    IF YOU LIKE THE BLOG, THEN GET THE BOOKS TO SEE MORE
    OF THE SAME!
    Picture
     Meditations of a
     Modern Warrior Vol II 
     Available Now.
     
    Click below to get your signed copy.
    Book & P+P
    Picture
    For the back cover info, chapter titles and some reviews go to the book page
    Book & P+P

    On the above box click on the drop down arrow to see your book and P+P charges for UK or Worldwide.

    You can also join in the conversation on the these social media networks.


Powered by Create your own unique website with customizable templates.