Asian Philosophy in Martial Arts and Combat Sports: Syllabus

Part 1: Judo and the Foundation of Modern Martial Arts

  1. Ukemi
  2. Mind Over Muscle: Jigoro Kano. Chapter 1 p. 12-30; Research on Street Fights
  3. Mind Over Muscle,Ch. 2 Seiryoku Zenyo p. 38-46, 60-62, 65-67
  4. Mind Over Muscle, Ch. 2 Jita Kyoei p. 76-86
  5. History and Principles of BJJ:  John Danaher Interview

Part 2: Philosophy of Practice

Approaches to Practice

  1. Mind Over Muscle: p. 136-140; Watch Ben Askren Interview
  2. Striking Thoughts: p. 11-14;
    1. Flow in Sports
    2. Lao Tzu/Wu Wei Video
  3. Striking Thoughts: p. 157-160, 172-178
  4. Mind Over Muscle: p. 50-60; Watch Firas Zahabi Interview 1;  Firas Zahabi On Training 2.
  5. Mind Over Muscle: p. 113-118

Part 3: Martial Arts as Self-Actualization and Self-Discovery

  1. The Warrior Within: The Philosophies of Bruce Lee. p. 3-7; Mind Over Muscle pp. 65-67
  2. The Nicomachean Ethics, Aristotle: Bk II; Stoicism via (Early) Connor McGregor
  3. Striking Thoughts. Bruce Lee: p. 28-34
  4. Striking Thoughts. Bruce Lee: p. 35-42, 52-58
  5. Striking Thoughts. Bruce Lee: p. 64-79

Part 4: Competition/Combat Strategy and Mindset

A. Pre-Fight Mindset

  1. Self-Confidence: James Vick and Others, Diego Sanchez
  2. Leon Edwards vs Donald Cerrone
  3. Damien Maia, Assorted fighters
  4. Striking Thoughts. Bruce Lee pp. 66-71, 98-108, 118-126

B. Strategy

  1. The Art of War. Sun Tzu. I. Sec. 18-26; III. Sec. 2-6, 17, 18
  2. The Art of War. Sun Tzu. IV. Sec. 2, 6, 13-15
  3. The Art of War. Sun Tzu. V. all
  4. The Art of War. Sun Tzu. VI. Sec. 1-16, 25-33; VIII. Sec. 11-14

C. Combat Mindset:

  1. Anger: Mike “Platinum” Perry, Matt Brown, Striking Thoughts. p 64
  2. Seneca De Ira (On Anger) Bk II
  3. Striking Thoughts. p. 118-126, 12-14 (reread)
  4. Striking Thoughts. p. 157-160, 25-26
  5. Stoic Warriors. Nancy Sherman. p 101-122
  6. Mind Over Muscle: p. 119-121, 132-133

Part 5: Handling Defeat and Set-Backs

  1. Various Perspectives On Losing from Living Martial Artists (After losses)
  2. Striking Thoughts. Bruce Lee. pp. 118-126; Mind Over Muscle. p. 123-124

Part 6: The Do: Martial Arts as A Way of Life

  1. Rashad Evans Interview
  2. Mind Over Muscle: p. 90-94, 100-110, 122-123
  3. Striking Thoughts: p. 2-6, 9-10
  4. Striking Thoughts: p. 65-66
  5. Striking Thoughts: p. 178-184
  6. Striking Thoughts: p. 185-190
  7. Striking Thoughts: p. 74-79