Often times, models of classical martial arts will describe the nature of ones training as an inner battle to liberate the mind.  For some, the martial path allows for the processing, control and release of negative emotions and impulses while others feel it facilitates the holistic integration of ‘self’.

Perhaps amidst all these realities, particularly within traditional martial arts, the discipline and training itself works to blend, structure and bring congruency to the contradictory impulses and inclinations of our personalities, helping us discover liberation, freedom and an inner peace.

If we accept, as part of the human condition, the ‘a priori’ existence of latent tendencies within each of us, then the motifs of Monk, Scholar and Warrior may serve here to represent a ‘holy trinity’ of an inherent psychological legacy shared by us all.

If you are inwardly free from fighting no one will be able to fight you
~ Lao-Tzu

Monk, Scholar and Warrior represent three aspects of our diverse personalities. The raw materials, layered with complexities, from which we move, blend and transform within the crucible of training, to a higher sense of ethics- or ‘wude’ and, in the process, to a greater level of self-actualization as a human being. Although each may act as a cornerstone of classical martial arts training, they are dismissed or, at best, sorely lacking within the world of modern, mixed martial arts.

These three aspects infuse within us not only a ‘martial reflex’ but also reshape who we were ‘then’ and who we are ‘now’, in mind body and soul, and most of all, inform how we process and respond to the world around us. Conditioning in this fashion is transformative insofar that it takes our visceral ‘warrior’s’ reaction to intense, emotionally charged primal  ‘peak experiences’ of conflict and aggression and inlays within it varying degrees and textures of forgiveness, consideration, compassion, mercy and even deliberate pacifism.

Traveling the martial path is a journey of stages in which our thoughts, perceptions, emotions, body and spirit evolve. In the progressive stages of training, one is exposed to governable ‘micro’ portions of anti-social behavior with the response shaped and managed.

During training, at some level of our physiology, one may not distinguish between what is sensed within ones mind and body, and the reality. Experiencing, measuring and learning to manage the effects of a fury of adrenaline upon ones mind, body and spirit; repetition casts and recasts ones actions/reactions with physiological and psychological engrams—the physical, mental and spiritual hard-wired ‘short-cuts’ that instill efficiency, grace and harmony.

Context is provided for the Monk, Scholar and Warrior to commune and where each response can be tempered with insights and wisdom needed to sculpt ones transformation, all the while contained within the safety of a controlled and guided environment.

Ideally, this evolution brings balance and harmony, not only to the honest expression of mind and body, necessary for survival during the harshest of circumstances, but also to the soul in the pursuit of community within the world.Thus, disciplined instruction and vigorous fellowship — prevalent in traditional training — allows for the opportunity to explore and learn a ‘war craft’ but more importantly, mindfully nurtures the development of increasingly honest and personal interpretations to a  ‘life-craft’.

All significant battles are waged within the self. ~ Sheldon Kopp

The fusion of these three aspects molds ones response and aspires to retain its form in the face of the challenges presented by the world around us. Ones view of the world is colored by the lens of these perspectives, and each moves to inform our choices. Sitting ‘shoulder to shoulder’, each is free to add its voice when called to action, yet will defer to a choice, tempered by each ones sentiment and in line with a higher paradigm.

In taking this high road, for example, where each ‘turns the other cheek’, both Monk and Scholar, having availed themselves of all possibilities of peace and resolution, leave the Warrior to regain balance, harmony and peace—all the while, his hand upon his sword guided by the hands of his ‘brothers’.

‘Wude’ — ones martial ethics — the alchemy wrought from this discipline and training, supports fulfilling ones potential; accepting others shortcomings in light of our own, and benefitting from an ‘innocence of vision’ that brings peace for the ‘warrior’ alongside the ‘priest’.

A Warrior Priest made whole, wise and warlike as each moment demands.

Often true Warrior Priests, sobered by the horrors of ‘warfare’ and man’s appetite for it – in ancient battlefields or in our urban streets– strive as mentors during traditional training, to not only provide respect and understanding for the frailty of the human condition, but also to impress upon us the need for humanity and honor. In so doing, they bring into focus our divergent natures, each gently encouraging the contribution of the other in each moment.

In each moment…

The Scholar delves into the concepts, stratagem, tactics and psychology of human nature lending logic, thoughtfulness and reason to our consideration.

The Monk brings peace to the chaos; allow ‘qi’ to be channeled to ones soul in the fog of war with love, mercy and humanity cradled in its embrace.

The Warrior brings the physical expression of war, vengeance and, ironically, peacemaking into the reality of ones world.

Each works in concert to bring guided resolve into our lives protects us, and others, from the consequences of our unbridled responses. Traditional martial arts and its training ultimately serves to feed all aspects of this ‘humanity’…

The Scholar is fed, with the realities of man’s behavior, the strategies of attack as strategies of peacemaking.

The Monk is fed, with the healing response of forgiveness and peace it brings.

The Warrior is fed, with the smooth release of actions in space with grace and harmony — loosening the grip on ones ‘beast’ only so far as to assert a greater capacity for mercy.

Too often, it would seem however, the ‘warrior is fed while the scholar and monk are left to starve’.

Just as the Holy Trinity represents a mantra of faith within the Judeo-Christian community, the three constructs within the Warrior Priest ideal embrace the spirit training. A ‘catechism’ that enlightens, scrutinizes and massages our responses –distilled through the filters of each constructs perspective — to the world around us.

Life beats down and crushes the soul and art reminds you that you have one.  ~Stella Adler


Perhaps it is an injustice to the ‘art’ itself, to label training as simply ‘martial’.

Perhaps by placing too strong an accent on this word, the complexity and beauty and richness of the ‘art’ is obscured. Its voice calling for harmony, wisdom and the healing strength of forgiveness against the discord of the world around us, muted.

Perhaps this does not adequately describe the cultivation of logic and compassion; of reason and kindness; of deduction and love — qi or even bliss. If in failing to wholly define it and any portion of it dismissed, then the community of this art collectively risks its presence diminishing ever so slightly generation by generation.

Martial artists would widely agree that meditations are not necessary in order to learn to defend oneself — philosophical reflections or concepts of ‘stillness’ are not necessary to learn to break bone and tear flesh.

Fewer, unfortunately, come to realize that the refinement of ones ‘art’ through these same meditations and reflections may not be required in the training for the defense of ones own life but it is essential to the spirit of a much higher ‘calling’ — the preservation of life.

Understanding this ‘art of war’ as the ‘art of peace’ allows us to understand that, in the absence of any alternative, our basest reactions are not contained but rather confined and controlled by the priest of our humanity– granted license to restore balance and serve a greater self.

Warrior Priests bound to a creed where life is held sacred and thus endeavor to preserve it.  Stripped clean of ego, pretense, cruelty or the need to impart harm for reward or its own sake, it is the pursuit of becoming ‘worthy’ by rediscovering the elusive true ‘faith’ of the arts passed down by those of ‘worth’ who came before them.

In this way, the ‘art’, borne of a primal need to protect and defend family, tribe and country, elevates us.  At its best, this art coheres mind, body and soul – filling our cup by emptying it; bringing contentment by leaving us wanting. It entwines  ‘yin-yang’ within the wholeness of ones experience—our ‘self’ and all that surrounds us.

In the practice of tolerance, one’s enemy is the best teacher.

To conquer oneself is a greater victory than to conquer thousands in a battle. ~ Dalai Lama

To aspire to this ideal, to evolve as a ‘human among humans’, with true devotion to the ‘way of the peacemaker’, the art transcends itself and binds us all – as mothers, fathers, sisters — and, when need be, brothers in arms.

Perhaps conquering the ‘enemy’ within is indeed a greater victory than defeating thousands in battle. Wise words, simple words – hard won.

Peace.