Monday, April 29, 2013

Learning from the Faux Pas

Throughout our life experiences, we sometimes come across a dedicated field that is of no interest to us.  Maybe hearing a book titled “Zen of underwater basket weaving”, or “Trends of Pottery Barn: The West Virginia Edition” causes a prickly sensation that builds uncomfortably up your spine; unconsciously lifting the fine hairs on the back of your neck. To even consider reading such a title would cause an overwhelming sensation of dread that leaves you hyperventilating consistently into a brown paper bag.  Ignoring the above extreme publications, today we are going to discuss a variation of cross references in which we use the lessons learned in one craft and apply them to another.

The twelve step program: a proven system used by Narcotics Anonymous, Alcoholics Anonymous, Overeaters Anonymous, and almost anyone else trying to quit doing anything.  Are there different books?  No, it’s the same book.  Every time they read the book, they interchange the words that are right for them.  Alcohol can become drugs, food, purging, or OCD comfort rituals.  This has nothing to do with what we are going to discuss today, but is an example of how you can use one concept and bridging it to another.  It’s simply a successful model. 

This article is about Brazilian Jiu Jitsu or grappling, but the concepts can be applied to many different things in life.  I do it every day.  I myself use a mix of wrestling, Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, Judo, and Sombo; but they are conceptually similar, and our goal is to use a completely different concept to help us grow in a completely different area.  In this model, we are going to use Brazilian Jiu Jitsu which is often described as human chess, and discuss it using the mental processes of actual Chess.  In a far more complex medium, as it relates to chess, the greatest players operate in sequenced numbers.  Let’s discuss a few ideas, and eventually will delve into strategy.           

Heuristic rolling or training: Taking the art of problem solving and practicing in a controlled situation.  In Jiu Jitsu posing probing questions, and using a variety of techniques and methods to test certain moves and variations, and to unearth useful information about the position.  Dave Camarillo calls it Lie detection.  Awesome concept, dare you to use it in other areas of your life; or practicing verbal jiu jitsu.

Gambit: A volunteer sacrifice of an opening.  The fake or perceived Faux Pas, and often ends in a check mate in a semi technical two or three move finish in a submission fight.  At the higher levels, they are thrown out casually, and through “life detection” we ignore or respond to these actions.

Convergent Thinking: Working out the precise moves when we already know what to do.  It is linear and one-dimensional.  This is where I think people get stuck with drilling or practice.  Once you reach a certain level of proficiency in a single type of movement, you need to move on with a Divergent transition game where you practice sequences that allow you to advance but also react to road blocks.  This takes you to purple belt and beyond, but ignoring that it is required for successful fighting and competition.    

Divergent or Lateral Thinking: Multidimensional thinking, not bound by circumstances, open to sudden shifts in context of combat or situation, and drawing upon unexpected moves or movements and accessing resources creatively to solve complex problems.  End game?  There is no end game, but this is a solid goal past basic proficiency.  To develop a game or string of messy techniques and using them as an approach will end in your defeat.  Convergent < Proficiency< Divergent
These are a few concepts to think about.  In what way am I learning, practicing, and applying?  Each has levels, not bound by rules or ideas, and different timed applications. The next move is yours.  

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