Most of 'em I know don't think that. I've been doing martial arts since I was about five, and I wouldn't call myself any more "enlightened" than anyone simply because I do martial arts. Some guys will get all mystical on you, others will embrace their romanticized notions of Eastern culture and philosophy, and some are just egotistical shysters, but honestly, these are the exceptions rather than the rule. Maybe you can tell me why you think all martial artists think they're enlightened? What gave you that impression?
Good question. Talk to any legitimate martial artist, and he'll tell you he's no more enlightened than anyone else. He doesn't think he's smarter or better than anyone else. He just see's the world differently. He's been doing his art for so long, he see's the pain his art can bring, and while he may have started to want to learn how to hurt someone, he certainly isn't in that mindset any longer. He see's the damage he can inflict and doesn't wish that on anyone, and instead seeks to find peaceful ways to live. Think Mr. Miyagi, and that's how a true martial artist behaves.
I think Karate Kid did a good job of showing the two sides of martial arts. You have the side, of like I mentioned before Mr. Miyagi, that seek a peaceful existence, but will engage if they have to, and then you have the thug side, the people that learn martial arts to hurt others. It showed that not everyone that does martial arts is a Zen Buddhist. We strive to have that attitude, but the reality is, you're always going to have thugs and predators wanting to gain access to more tools to hurt others.
I think its for several reasons. First; most martial arts teach aspects of anatomy and physiology and combine that knowledge with ways of making their techniques and attacks more effective while using other aspects from other sciences like physics as well. Secondly is that many martial arts also have ties with metaphysical ideas like Ki or Chi, Ying and Yang, and meridians. Some of these ideas and concepts you will also find in other things outside of martial arts as well like Gi-gong and yoga and even in cultures outside of those of Asia sometimes.
Also many martial arts are in part influenced by the philosophy and culture they have their roots in which is not so unusual when you think about it. What is unusual is that many martial arts also see value in this and even go so far as to re-enforce some of the aspects of that culture and its philosophy rather than remaining indifferent to it or ignoring it completely. All these things together in total is maybe why some martial artists are thought of as being enlightened or might be considered in that vein.
That would depend on how you define enlightenment and who the martial artist is deep down. If you dedicate yourself to a path whether or not it is martial art, you gain insight into yourself and, perhaps, life in general. To achieve anything worthwhile requires a clear vision and that requires you to be honest with yourself. In a fight, your adversary does not care how good you think you are. And if you delude yourself into thinking you are better than others, you not only endanger yourself but you stop growing as a person.
as a martial artist I will claim to be as enlightened as a cheeseburger. The problem is that there are many martial cults out there. The heads do not buy their crap but it makes for loyal paying students
I wouldn't generalize... most are arrogant and egotistical. I wouldn't say martial artist are enlightened.
Martial virtue is rare even among martial artists.
It's good for the mandala and soul. Also if you religious you understand I consider being Christian and have no car so I don't go to church but I read the NIV every night and helps me with peoples nasty attitudes and my older friend showed me to Christian faith and I still respect Catholics and I strongly read the Baptish Crowd books when I feel society is sydistic.
some think they are and some know they're not.
Wow!! I learned something new today.
Martial artists are often displayed by popular culture as if they hold themselves to be more "enlightened" than non-practitioners. Is this true? What are the reasons for this?
