Meditations on a Philosophy of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu

I’d like to begin by introducing the concept of a dialectic; opposing conceptual forces. It is necessary for internal reasoning- with a good example being Socrates and his ‘daemon’, or Jesus and the ‘voice of god’ (which was essentially his own conscience), Descartes and his ‘great doubt’ too. I think Hegel was the first to coin the term dialectic, or at least built out the framework further; two opposing concepts meet, resulting in a next phase or state- which in turn is challenged or negated- ad-infinitum (or until the process resolves).

In order to reason and play with concepts (something that is necessary in order to reach reasonable conclusions), we must essentially argue with ourselves- develop an inner opposition, a contrarian, a ‘what if’ voice. The fairest of us challenge our own thoughts and ideas- reducing bias and prejudice, seeking to build ourselves into moral characters.

This inner voice though, the habit of questioning- ever the contrarian… It becomes exactly that, a habit, a second nature. And it can get strong. When that questioning voice is inevitably turned inwards, we can quickly find that we can be picked apart too; identity, memory… Doubt becomes a plague, the inner voice -an enemy. What’s worse is when this process can’t resolve- when it goes on ad infinitum or communication is laced with semantic ambiguity- a recursive loop of self questioning or second guessing meaning can drive a person mad. We must learn to catch these spirals and these language tricks lest they consume us.

I can see then why Socrates might offer himself to drink the hemlock, or Jesus vicariously to seek for the cross. It’s said the voice of god was with him except for in those last moments- perhaps that is not in abandonment as we might initially think- not a negative thing, but finally finding an inner stillness and peace of mind.

What does this have to do with Jiu Jitsu, then? Well I think this dialectic process is a direct comparison: It’s a series of applied techniques of opposition, leverage, finding exceptions and weaknesses. An inner conceptual struggle. A dynamic roll in the realm of ideas.

In Jiu Jitsu- when we are gassed out -burnt out, we become slower and easier to beat. A corresponding quote to highlight the same of the mind would be Nietzsche’s: “When we are tired, we are attacked by ideas we conquered long ago”. I certainly find that of my inner contrarian.

Jiu Jitsu is a good practice to strengthen your better mind, and quite literally ‘exercise your daemon’ – let it out for a couple of rounds so that it doesn’t try to eat you from the inside, learn to control it, and don’t let it get on top of you.