My Perspective

My Perspective shares the personal perspective of different martial  artists and others on martial thought, philosophy and more on USAdojo.com.

Fight for Country and Family

Balance the Warrior and the Yogi: What is a Righteous Fight?

Perhaps you’re more enlightened than me. But in the event that this article can help you as it has me, I’d like to share...
Martial Myths

Martial Arts Myths

The martial arts myths that really irritate me the most revolve around fighting and self-defense, and students regularly ask me about these. I've listed...
Shan Monks

Shan Monks in Exile: Seeking Basic Human Freedoms

The young Shan monk told me that the first time he came to Thailand he came illegally, to study Pali, the ancient Buddhist script....
Traditional Battles Effectiveness: Traditional Martial Arts Versus Reality Fighting

Traditional Battles Effectiveness

Traditional Martial Arts Versus Reality Fighting Back in the 1970s when I began kickboxing, I had to explain to people what that sport was. They...
Martial Thought

Martial Thought

Thought is not uniquely human, but it is unique in the level of thinking power that mankind possesses. Man is a reflective and thinking...
Arthur Tansley and Toshiro Mifune Training in Japan

The Truth About Martial Arts Training in Japan

The following observations are from the late Arthur Tansley, the noted martial arts photographer who lived in Tokyo for many years. Note: Words like sensei...
Veterans Seek Help form VA

Veterans Seeking Psychiatric Help

Here is an excellent question I received about a recent tip, saying that, "A suck it up and drive on" ethos has great survival...
Donald Miskel

Father’s Day Thoughts: What He Taught Me Paid Off

I want to share with you my Father's Day thoughts. My father, Donald Miskel, is crazy, but what he taught me paid off. Crazy...
Get Real with Dan Meadows

How A Disaster Disarmed America, Or Was It Something Else?

There is no doubt that Mother Nature is a formidable opponent. Her beauty and her wrath can change on us in a moment’s notice...
Kumite: A Learning Experience

Kumite: A Learning Experience

From Time to time, BLACK BELT learns of unusual events or occurrences in the martial arts; events that-either because of their nature or because...
Draw Me A Cat

Draw Him A Cat

A rich man, fond of felines, asked a famous Zen ink painter to draw him a cat. The master agreed and asked the man...
Thou shall not kill . . .

Thou shall not kill . . .

You have heard the commandment, "Thou shall not kill." With few exceptions, however, most major modern translations, and all Jewish translations of the original...
Donald Miskel

No Holds Barred: MMA Versus Traditional Martial Arts

Everyone is talking about MMA versus traditional martial arts and the effects that MMA is having on martial arts schools around the world. Here...
Tomoe Nage

Tomoe Nage; Eastern Throw, Western Craze

Anyone who has ever seen an old west fistfight staged for a movie or TV series has probably seen a scene in which one...
Max Pallen

Heartbreaking News: Max Pallen, Jr. Has Died

A Note From Jordan Pallen On behalf of the Pallen Family, I would like to thank you all for your thoughts and prayers. My brother,...
Knowledge and Judgement

Knowledge and Judgement in the Martial Arts

Knowledge and judgment comes from experience. Experience comes from good or bad judgment regarding life situations, which leads to evolution over time. That’s how...