Martial Arts and The Art of War

Fact: People love war.

Greeks worshipped the god Ares second only to Zeus, king of Olympus. Aries is considered the strongest sign in the zodiac. And of the books which survive the test of time, a great many have to do with war.

The Book of Five Rings by Miyamoto Musashi.

The Prince by Machiavelli.

The Bible.

The martial arts, or philosophy of the body, changes throughout time periods to match its surroundings. Chinese farmers turned backhoes into staff and combined shovels to form the nunchuck to fight off their Japanese aggressors. They took to the woods and became what we know as ninja.

Just as they thought they ruled the earth because they held the greatest fighting prowess, Europeans came with the martial art of the firearm and expanded their reach across the globe.

Now generals incorporate nuclear chemistry and computer hacking as new arts of war.

However, fans of the more traditional martial arts can still cheer their favorite UFC fighter -- Randy Couture, Brock Lesnar, Georges St. Pierre. There are the legends who could not be beaten, and whose philosophies are read by martial artists and businessmen -- people looking simply to win -- Miyamoto Musashi, Bruce Lee, Hoyt Gracie. However, aside from the kicks and punches, stabs and thrusts, the martial arts bring us something much greater, if you can see through the violence bringing together bodies and blood, weapons and armor.

The martial arts bring together cultures. And so the winners and losers of today's and yesterday's battles and wars cannot die in vain. For what greater honor or opportunity for a human being is there than to learn of another's Way?