The UFC has certainly made its mark on the public across the world–Japan, Brazil, the U.S. and elsewhere–and it’s popularity only continues to grow. But this is not about catching a trend or becoming a fan.
This morning I read an editorial by Jon Rubinstein over at the Interdependence Project blog on Beliefnet.com and it caught my eye for the ostensibly bizarre correlation between watching the Ultimate Fighting and practicing Buddhism. I have recently watched some fighting, in fact, I passed some 3 hours on Wednesday night watching jabs, punches, kicks, and blocks–hot red blood included.
I may not know the fighters as intimately as some, but I’ve seen how fierce the fights get. The look of aggression in a contender’s eye, the skill of his take-down and the final blow that swiftly knocks a 6’11 man to the floor. It’s seriously hard to imagine the Dalai Lama ever being a fan.
But then again, why not?
As Rubenstein suggests (borrowing from Thich Nhat Hahn), the UFC may just be another kind of mud from which a lotus may blossom. And on another tangent, how is the UFC different from the NFL or NHL or Rugby League–all sports where players “fight” one another in physical contact often with painful or bloody consequences?
For that matter, if ahimsa is the goal, what about driving gas guzzlers, eating meat, or working in pharmaceutical sales? As Rubinstein points out the goal is awareness in what we do and how we react to what is in front of us.
With the UFC here to stay, we might as well take it as an opportunity to pause and look for right intention, right, action and maybe a right uppercut.
Love,
Natanya
we all have our place in the universe. the practice by which one hones their self discipline and awareness could be anything. could be. i’m sure from one individual to another it could differ greatly. some fighters truly wish to be the best they can be. others are locked in a childish power game without much perspective.
Seriously, watch some Kenny Florian fights. That guy has a lot of humility and is zen as fuck. He is one with what he is doing.
Haha, interesting Natanya.
My understanding of UFC (and I’m not an expert, maybe caught a fight flipping through the channels once or twice) is that a lot of the fights actually end in “submission.” This means that a person ends the fight by saying “uncle,” not a knockout.
Certainly have to be present to fight.
I studied Aikido last year and its whole intention is to protect yourself while at the same time making sure the person attacking stays safe as well.
UFC is not Aikido, but I would really be curious to see a martial artist who believes in non-violence enter the ring.