Welcome to COMPLIMENTARY TRAINING TIPS For The Spirit DEDICATION "The ABC’s Of Warriorship,
Which Comprises The Professional Warrior’s Vision
I Dedicate To My Father, Alfred Dux, In Loving Memory, And To All The Fathers Or Mentors
Who Have Parted This World But Not Before Having Given Of Themselves Selflessly,
In Order To Be The Kinds Of Examples To Teach The Difference Between What It Really Means To Be A Man From The Grown Boy Who Thinks He Is A Man,
Those Givers Of A Sacred Code
ALL MEN Live And Die By" - HANSHI, FRANK W. DUX |
Introduction To Training Tips & The Warrior Spirit:
To possess the prepared spirit, mind and body and to harmonize these three attributes, in times of extreme stress, to the point of being able to adapt, to improvise and to do whatever is necessary, first requires one to focus – to achieve the offensive mindset, the ability to act in place of reacting.
This calmness in a storm of adversity is derived only by first possessing a clear sense of self worth and purpose, that which gives the Warrior his vision and leaves all others to be blind, except to their own personal demons and worst fears...
One secret as to how the Warrior not only will attain and maintain a sense of self worth and purpose, the Warrior’s unique vision, is that one must lead by example to free the mind. This is why the FASST/Dux Ryu trainee cannot be complacent only to do but, therefore, is required to teach all the skills of Warririorship.
As to teach properly, one must adhere diligently to:
The Basic ABC’s Of FASST/Dux Ryu
That Comprise The Professional Warrior’s Vision:
A is for ATTITUDE: as in always strive to be confident to face all challenges, to take a bad situation and calmly, take care of it before it takes care of you.
To be open minded to become innovative and look for answers and solutions outside the norm and ordinary, capable of the carrying out the extraordinary or anticipating the unexpected.
B is for BELIEF: in yourself and developing and nurturing trust in others, (especially, in one’s students).
This is best exemplified by being humble and demonstrating the same consideration and respect for others, as you would like them to show you.
C is for CHARACTER: by keeping your word by saying what you mean and meaning what it is you are saying. To be done with
D for DETERMINATION: and making for no excuses or allowances for distractions or any set backs.
E for EDUCATION, ENTHUSIASUM, ENERGY, EFFORT, and EFFICIANCY: the kind of which means you and everything you do is absolutely done impeccably and leaves nothing to chance, to be overlooked or assumed, including…
F for FAILURE: to maintain FOCUS in the worst of all possible moments by F for FORTITUDE/FAITH in oneself, one’s abilities and the capabilities and willingness of
G for G-D: or any other name one has for the higher power and source of order and synchronicity in the universe, that one might call Karma and Dharma. As there are “no atheists in foxholes or the in the inescapable clutches of death” which provides one with
H for HEARING: that which is said through the synchronicity of life events; technical movement; shifts in weight; the statement or question that is said that is not audible, but it is the message or warning to be heard coming deep from one’s own gut, the voice within us, all. Raw instinct.
One must learn to listen more than talk. As to hear others who are to be heard not only by what is being said between the words they speak but through their actions which tend to speak volumes, as seen in their body language. All of which, is achieved by paying attention to one’s maintaining
I for INTENSITY: as in not to be complacent or procrastinate. Not to be confused with aggressive actions and whining. As others will only respond to this overt fact, as “it is the squeaky (but performing) wheel that is the one that gets the oil.”
J is for JUSTICE and JUDGEMENT: as be fair, considerate and impartial in evaluating all, as with not only others but, as well as, with being just in judging yourself.
K is for KNOWLEDGE: seek it out and respect it by being knowledgeable enough to know that:
“Knowledge alone, is not power, but a myth.” Otherwise, one could never find college graduates pumping gas or being reduced to menial labor… Or consider, that there are those who are knowledgeable in their practice of the martial arts but have found themselves frozen like deer in the headlights of an onrushing car when they were caught of guard and faced by a simple threat, shamefully, far from being a live or die conflict.
L is for LOVE: as those who fail to make the sacrifice of love will assuredly be destined to experience violence and, therefore, can never attain true Warriorship.
As Warriorship’s highest form is to attain the skill to achieve victory, without violence.
M is MORE: recognizing people’s needs are not to be confused with their desires, which are insatiable. Provide more of, and only what is necessary, not expected. Surpass needs not desires in the form of substance over superficiality… Especially, where it is a matter of love or one’s applying skills in Warriorship. To show this discipline is not to be taken by surprise. Or to fall short when it comes to delivering the decisive measures to secure one’s objective.
“SHOWBOATIN’ IS FOR CLOWNS AND ACTORS, AND HAS NO SIGNIFICANCE, AMONGST REAL WARRIORS” – Frank Dux
N is for NEGATIVE: as in avoid being cynical and avoid the negative influence of others. The kind of negative spirit that the Chinese describe as the: “Chattering monkeys that live in one’s head.” Leading to self-doubt, the rationalization and compromising of what that is, otherwise, intolerable.
O for OFFENSE: as it is a fact that any mediocre even inferior offense always stands a chance of overcoming a superior defense.
O for offense as in the OFFENSIVE MINDSET versus the defensive mindset, which is exemplified by
P for being PROACTIVE: versus being reactive, the defining difference between a bona fide Warrior or the pretender who deceives their self and others by reacting in place of acting in times of conflict.
Remember defensive people are always defensive, as in their mistakes, or as seen in their feeling compelled to justify their actions even when it is unnecessary. Principally, being never asked to do so but seemingly always volunteer an explanation.
Q is for QUESTION: as to take nothing at face value. Test all situations and persons to determine their true capabilities, character, their context, to derive their purpose and the true results they seek from you, or others.
To question is to seek the truth for a noble purpose and not to satisfy any spurious idle curiosity.
Avoid those who avoid answering questions with directness or not at all, especially, if you are a student of the martial arts or martial sciences. Run don’t just walk away from these kinds of teachers who are either masking their ignorance or posses a hidden agenda,
As it is the bona fide Martial Arts or Martial Science teacher that will feel compelled to not only answer questions but be drawn to those who seek the truth to share in their knowledge, as a true warrior recognizes his knowledge can rescue and improve the lives of many, perhaps, one day being their own. However, remember this, too!
“A fool can ask more questions
…than a wise man can answer”
- The Talmud -
R is for REGULARLY as part of your daily REGIMENT, REVIEW and RECOGNIZE your RESULTS: as they are what matter and not one’s good intentions.
Know them as in set them down in written form on a daily basis. Make it a point to list not only short and long term results, but those immediate “step by step” results, that are to be achieved, daily.
Thereupon, REVIEW and RECOGNIZE your RESULTS. Do this by crossing them off your list by every days end, carrying forward the unrealized results.
In doing this one is not only instilling and maintaining discipline, but one can determine from where one actually started and where one is really headed - which is absolutely necessary, to improve oneself and achieve realistic results by identifying the steps necessary for long-term results to be realized.
One will quickly ascertain, through this disciplined practice of being result orientated, new results are always built on one’s past results.
Whether they are good or bad, right or wrong, correct or incorrect, each result is the building material of the foundation of the legacy by which one is to construct in their own name, and by which to honor their name’s sake and their teacher’s legacy.
To realize one’s results daily keeps the Warrior on the path of enlightenment, always sharp in skill and focus. This practice is what is really meant by:
“Give me fish I eat for a day…
Teach me how to fish and I eat for a lifetime”
- Samurai Proverb -
S is for SIMPLICITY and SPECIFITY: as to be specifically clear and precise and leave nothing to chance, interpretation or assumption.
Principally, when fighting, giving directions or whilst one is in the execution of all actions that one has been directed to carry out.
Complexity or being vague only leads to more opportunities for things to go awry and for one to suffer frustration and confusion.
Today’s Warrior makes good use of FASST/Dux Ryu’s new rendition on the old adage, regarding the power of KISS –
“KEEP IT SPECIFICALY SIMPLE”
and you wont be disappointed with the result
- Sensei, Sky Benson with Hanshi, Frank W. Dux –
 T is for TENACITY: as this is what separates the drowning cynics, pessimists and dreamers from those who are sterling over-achievers,
Tenacity separates out Martial Art pretenders from real life Warriors. As for one to posses tenacity means not to surrender and to give up easily – To drown in self-pity, in place of doing whatever it takes to endure and overcome any great adversity by which to achieve one’s objective, are the traits of a pretender.
It is using tenacity that enables one to overcome all hardships be they in the form of pain or any other form of a constricting spirit
dampening discomfort.
Considered the Marine’s Marine, Colonel, Chester Puller, USMC, a Congressional Medal Of Honor recipient, decorated for courage above and beyond the call of duty, as he distinguished himself by having led the Marines and Army out of a valley of sheer death by incorporating tenacity in his Warrior vision to overcome overwhelming odds at the Chosen Reservoir, in Korea. When asked how he came to be so tenacious, Colonel, Chesty Puller, USMC, declares, words which are the battle cry of every grunt who knows the taste of mud, blood and a foxhole:
“If it comes easy, you are doing it wrong.”
- Colonel, Chesty Puller, USMC - |
U is for UNDERSTAND: as in the meaning and purpose of all things or the ways of all professions. In order, that one shallreduce the chance in becoming, hopelessly, dependent and find their self at the mercy of others.
“An educated audience gets the best performance” - Scott Davison -
The basic principle of knowing and understanding the ways of all professions, plus one’s adherence to FASST/Dux Ryu’s ABC’s of Warriorship, in all things will, generally, unveil any deceit being perpetrated.
Particularly, when this deceit is being perpetrated by those who by the nature of their profession require our trust yet they have a hidden agenda;
like unscrupulous medical professionals who are not healers for the sake of healing but seek only to profit by another’s misfortune or ignorance; those who do not seek the study and pursuit of law to right injustices or to protect the rights of others but do so to exploit ignorance by which to line their pockets or to one day have access to political power for their own sake of feeding an insatiable ego; or those who will abuse their position of authority in law to promote unjust ends; those spiritual guides who will often use guilt and fear to financially prey upon the unsuspecting, particularly, during one’s moments of weakness or bouts of hopelessness, un-acceptance and spiritual turmoil.
These despicable professionals, therefore, are too, pretenders - the enemies and antithesis of a true warrior.
As a warrior’s battles are not just confined to physical superiority, engagements or conquest, alone.
As it is the warrior’s pursuit of understanding in all things that makes the Warrior capable of the ultimate sacrifice, done for others to benefit by, not because he/she does not value their own life, as this is the opposite of true understanding.
It is the value for life and any injustice committed to lessen it’s value, that a Warrior finds their acceptance/commitment/resolve to fight, to apply mercy, to right wrongs and protect those weaker than themselves from being preyed upon by the unjust.
As to behave otherwise, such as, to remain neutral and to stand by idle whilst in the presence of an injustice being committed, is also to become the antithesis of a true Warrior - as it is to be guilty of committing the sin of omission.
The coward, the fool, the weak, the down trodden, the thug, the mercenary and the pretender in the attainment of Warriorship, in their doing nothing to help those less fortunate than themselves, betray their weakness. As they lack in the concepts of purpose and resolve, its absence preventing them from intervening,
As it is a flawed character that is incapable of recognizing the legitimate opportunity to acquire nobility, one that shall give their life more meaning and understanding. Achieved by one uplifting those too weak to help themselves or lacking in skill, in need of educating and training.
Another reason, as to why the warrior way of understanding is fortified by one’s teaching those others, who are sincere seekers of the truth.
Therefore, a keen understanding is the first step to attaining true enlightenment, as to why it is necessary for one to diligently hone, perfect and apply the skills of Warriorship, in all matters, as it relates to one’s life.
To understand means not to be content to conduct one’s life in a manner that amounts to nothing more than a spectator sport or voyeuristic journey. Always playing it safe from the sidelines.
As to realize enlightenment, to posses the full measure, value and the nobility to be found in walking the warrior path, occurs only from one finding a renewed understanding of cause and effect, versus just purely, basing one’s understanding and judgment of what is and is not right and wrong or what is injustice, being determined by one by another via a dictated, doctrine. In contrast to one being free thinking and having acquired and learned through first hand observation, one’s morality.
Thereby, as one becomes more experienced in life one is ensured of expanding their Warrior vision through an enlightenment that which is gained only by one’s understanding of what it is to be a real warrior – An understanding and enlightenment that cannot be ascertained by confining one’s battles and outrage over injustice only to the dojo floor.
To understand means to commit to an ongoing process – as to understand and assist others one must understand their evolving self, first and foremost. Not hide out and avoid confronting their own demons by constantly giving advise or assistance in solving other people’s problems in place of their own.
Only through one’s daily practice of pursuing the concept of attaining understanding in all things, does the warrior sharpen and shape their vision by which to effectively light the path for others to follow in their own quest for enlightenment.
This is the highest calling and duty of any Master Warrior/ Teacher of the Martial Arts and Martial Sciences.
V is for VISUALIZATION: as it controls one’s breathing, heart and muscles in times of great stress, and sets the mindset.
One must be able to picture their self, as in exceeding in their capabilities by which to grow and improve by, and set new goals.
Through visualization one is able to anticipate obstacles in advance and, thereby, formulate a series of plans considering every possible and conceivable contingency.
As visualization is the planning stage that leads to one’s overall preparation and winning the battle, before it is ever to be fought.
W is for WHO we are, really?
Do we ascribe to a higher purpose or are we, merely, self-serving?
Do we possess the spiritual attributes of a true Warrior, as in ascribing to
Rules of Engagement, which are:
Acceptance: the ability to tolerate and accept our fate or whatever is going on around one without protest;
Resolve: to chose to act out of wisdom and logic and not emotion, a
Code Of Honor: the high ideals we strive to perfect in ourselves; and
Terms: a set of uncompromising self imposed laws a Warrior must define for oneself in advance of any conflict – by defining what makes one unique and what and when and how and where one shall take up a fight, even to take a life by or by which to show mercy or abstinence, negates hesitation that comes with pondering to act or not to act.
The Secrets Of Warriorship can only be attained when one firmly knows who they are and the man or woman, they want to be, really?
That is in relation to one’s ability to be in command of one’s thoughts, actions and emotions, in times of extreme stress.
As one must be in command of oneself first before one can attain control over others, at will. Not only including taking control of a life threatening threat but to lead, inspire or teach others, exceptionally.
X is for “X – ing Out” All Excuses: “for thinking only in the box” and not accepting that one can and must become the master of their own destiny.
While one cannot chose the time, place and means of their death, short of suicide, one can determine the context in which they live and must die by.
Thus, by one’s X-ing out excuses one is freeing the mind of clinging to life or conducting it without purpose.
It means, one is vigilant in being cognizant of giving one’s life meaning through their death, if necessary, thereby, making one capable of the ultimate sacrifice and not wavering, losing their calm at the prospect of dying or any calamity.
To become fearlessly accountable for ones actions, decisions and mistakes. As there is no excuse as to continue abandoning and betraying a Warrior’s vision of their self or by which to violate their integrity.
Y is for YOU: as in everything begins and ends with you. You alone come into this world and you alone will go out of it. This is the cycle of life so do not be faulty in YOUR THINKING, toallow yourself to shreik responsibility for yoursrself by becoming dependent on others or blaming others for your mistakes, as well as, forgeting to acknowledge and take credit in your acheivements, without having to look to others for approval. You cannot be who it is YOU want to be by giving into peer pressure and think, act or live inside or outside of the metaphorical box. One being lazy, slovenly, doing things that will poison one's body like substance abuse or to go against common sense, do that which one knows is wrong, is nothing more than a manifestation of one's spirit having been violated, unchalleneged or is unfamiliar and thus in one's youth, YOU ARE trying to assert YOU, establish YOUR IDENTITY by rebeling, which is in reality nothing more than giving meaning to the meaningless, surrendering yourself, as YOU gain nothing by the experience -spritually, mentally or physically. Being YOU is when one is in harmony with one and all things. Only when you are being you can you share and embrace another, find mercy or possess the power to be capable of great sacrifice and great deeds.
Z is for ZEAL: to embrace all things with a sense of wonder, passion and joyfulness, as if it were the first time.
Joyous zeal is the most empowering attribute a warrior can and must strive to posses. It is the lynchpin between having or not having a prepared spirit.
One means of attaining Zeal is for one to share with others their fears and the examples of that which conquered their fears or, at least keeps them in check.
|  | For example: My father, Alfred Dux, lived through the holocaust, saw his father and mother, his brothers and sisters being victimized by the authority figures he was taught to respect and whom, demanded his death, for his just being born a non-Aryan.
My father, he fought in and survived five wars without complaint or ducking responsibility. He never allowed himself to feel cheated as he was denied a formal education and, sadly, was betrayed by those he served with gallantry, as an agent, during the Cold War of the 1950’s. Whereby, his beloved cousin is murdered as a result, in a case of mistaken identity.
Yet, my father, may G-d rest his soul, he had never lost his sense of joy and always smiled, as if he had not a worry in the world, in the face of any adversity, that crossed his path or he had to face.
As he was a true warrior – as every Warrior is capable of great acceptance of hardship and adversity because it is through hardship and adversity, that the warrior acquires
the Focus – Action – Skills – Strategy and their Tactics. |
My father taught me by his example, that of all the attributes one must posses to maintain or acquire insightfulness and vision, it is in one’s possessing a ZEAL for life; the kind which guards one from taking oneself or any adversity or calamity too seriously.
One’s ZEAL frees the mind to attain and maintain vision where others, will become lost.
It is one’s Zeal, which negates doubt or any prospects of fear being able to creep up within oneself, as to take control by fear manifesting itself in anger, frustration, fright, etc.
It was my own zeal that drove me and provided me the perseverance to overcome obstacles and disabilities in my recovery, after being plagued by two brain tumor surgeries and being rendered comatose from a spinal fluid leak, a complication as a result of the surgery, that which had led to my suffering spinal meningitis.
It was my father’s example, Alfred Dux’s hardened Warrior’s zeal that showed me that there is no such obstacle that can’t be overcome; or loss worth mourning over, as to over-invest one’s energy, needlessly, when the outcome can never be altered as time and one’s mistakes can never be reversed.
It was my father leading by example, showing me that for a Warrior there exists no tasks or menial labor to be considered being beneath one, or to ever use the word’s “it’s not my job,” when things are needed to get the job done.
In following my father’s example, I soon discovered by my own life and death experiences that nothing is to be taken for granted or to be done without joy and zeal, if one is to survive intact. Even if it means, as he did, knowing one is going into battle and is facing overwhelming odds.
Principally, when there exists a predicted outcome where it is almost certain that one, in all likelihood, will never be returning to one’s loved ones or achieving victory in the battle that is to be waged.
It is one’s zeal for and in life that dictates the principle that neither victory or defeat are the means by which one can rely upon in measuring the true worth of any man or woman, particularly, a Warrior.
But rather, this kind of measurement can only be made through a truthful and forthright self-examination of one’s zeal, one’s own consistency in striving for the perfection of one’s character, whilst in the midst of, or after one faces a great unforgiving adversity. What Ernest Hemingway describes as for each one of us as:
“Our moment of truth.”
In Conclusion: Only then during that tested moment of truth can one become intimately cognizant of whether or not one possess a prepared spirit, mind and body, to the caliber where one is willing, able and ready to commit all in a Warrior’s adherence to one’s own Rules of Engagement.
To be capable of preferring death than violate one’s own code of ethics is an example of living the vision and “to keep it real,” no fear, no games, no delusions, just one of the many secrets and derivative benefits of being skilled and made wise in the perfection of character by the authentic Secrets OF Warriorship….
In contrast to theoretical diatribes, being espoused by those who talk the talk but have never walked the walk. Those pretenders, who are incapable of filling the shoes of a real Warrior in a time of crisis.
Those pretenders who are doomed to fail as they will never recognize until it is too late that one’s attainment of the Secrets Of Warriorship is never a matter of just accumulating weaponry, technical knowledge, fighting skill and physical prowess, alone; forever, ignorant to the fact that in one’s ascribing to the ABC’s of Warriorship or a similar code one comprises the professional vision of a Warrior.
It is one’s vision that provides direction and decisive action, as to free the mind, particularly, from mediocrity, the antithesis of the superior mindset and the centering of a Warrior, and the harmonizing of a prepared spirot, mind and body through the application of: Focus – Action – Skill – Strategy – Tactics.
| “For one to avoid putting the ABC’s of Warriorship
into practice or a similar code of conduct, thereof; is described by professional Warriors as,
one being intentionally, incompetent.
And, therefore, such a person has no place in any uniform,
on any battlefield, in my life and, certainly, not in my dojo.”
Hanshi, Frank W. Dux |
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