Borrowed from Col. Grossman's analogy in his book "On Killing."
What makes us either sheep (ordinary folks), sheepdogs (soldiers, firemen, police, prison guards, etc.), or wolves (criminals, predators, rapist, etc.)?
There seems to be perceived influences or labels put on those who become wolves so what makes a person a wolf? Some say it happens in child hood yet in the book, "The Gift of Fear," the author alludes to the fact that we all are the same but something occurs that causes us to go to one of the three categories.
It would seem, from my view so far, that regardless of the influences in childhood something else causes us to go one way or another. In the book on fear both the author and some of his examples had the same type of childhood experiences yet he became a force for service to society while the other became a predator.
Is it some genetic thing that says to a person who suffers great things that they end up becoming someone who contributes to society or causes them to go the other direction and become a bad thing in society?
Then again what can cause someone to be a little of all three, a sheep, a sheepdog and a wolf? Are there folks like this who run the middle of the road so to speak?
What are you and what caused you to go the way you go? If you can answer that question are you truthful to yourself or is it just the "story" we all seem to tell ourselves as each event occurs in life causing us to change so we remain comfortable in our skins?
I was a Marine. Does this mean I was a sheepdog? I have had thoughts of doing things that are not acceptable in our society, does this mean I am a wolf? I am also one who has stood by and had no reaction, does this mean I am a sheep? Which one at any one time says I am what I am?
I taught karate and self-defense. Am I a sheepdog? Is this why I study karate and the ancient classics (Kenpo Gokui - I Ching - Bubishi - The Mysteries) not to exclude the recent books on fighting and self-defense, to achieve some level of all three or to become more of a sheepdog than the other two?
Do we need to be a bit of the wolf to be a good sheepdog? Is this why we attach the philosophical aspects to our training through the study of the Kenpo Gokui. Do we know the differences?
My personal "Interpretive" Lens!
"One thing has always been true: That book ... or ... that person who can give me an idea or a new slant on an old idea is my friend." - Louis L'Amour
"Read not to contradict and confute; nor to believe and take for granted; nor to find talk and discourse; but to weigh and consider..." - Francis Bacon
"What is true today may be reevaluated as false not long after. Judgements are frequently based upon a set of "temporary" circumstances surrounding them. Conflicting ideologies can exist simultaneously. Antagonistic dualities are complementary aspects of a unified whole: are seen as mutually dependent mirror images of each other." - Nahum Stiskin
Warning, Caveat and Note: The postings on this blog are my interpretation of readings, studies and experiences therefore errors and omissions are mine and mine alone. The content surrounding the extracts of books, see bibliography on this blog site, are also mine and mine alone therefore errors and omissions are also mine and mine alone and therefore why I highly recommended one read, study, research and fact find the material for clarity. My effort here is self-clarity toward a fuller understanding of the subject matter. See the bibliography for information on the books.
Note: I will endevor to provide a bibliography and italicize any direct quotes from the materials I use for this blog. If there are mistakes, errors, and/or omissions, I take full responsibility for them as they are mine and mine alone. If you find any mistakes, errors, and/or omissions please comment and let me know along with the correct information and/or sources.
Kenpo Gokui
A person's heart is the same as Heaven and Earth while the blood circulating is similar to the Sun and Moon yet the manner of drinking and spitting is either soft or hard while a person's unbalance is the same as a weight and the body should be able to change direction at any time as the time to strike is when the opportunity presents itself and both the eyes must see all sides as the ears must listen in all directions while the mind must grasp all the tactile, olfactory and gustation data not seen on all sides and not heard in any direction
All Bottles are Truly Good
Great question..I've always wondered that. If you are only a sheep...how can you understand or know the wolf? we humans can be all three.In terms of evolution isn't it about survival? is it genetic? it could be...i don't know, I'm no expert that's for sure. you asked ..."Then again what can cause someone to be a little of all three, a sheep, a sheepdog and a wolf? Are there folks like this who run the middle of the road so to speak?" yes! they have control over themselves not to harm others. I would Love to learn more about this subject. Serial Killers who kill ...are they like rabid dogs who need to be put down? is there any hope for them? can they change their behavior? or is it genetic like you said? can one overcome their genetics? and feel compassion for others if given the right therapy?
ReplyDeleteThank you for this...
yes I've had thoughts of killing...and i know its in me. but something said in me no don't do it. anger is the worse emotion to conquer...and fear. those two emotions are hard to deal with. I understand anger and where it comes from...but people who kill for fun whether its people or animals like sports in the woods killing thier bears and showing off their big fishes that they caught...makes me mad. now i know that the mad/anger...is something i suppose to turn inward and say hey this is in me too and yes i have hurt living creatures/animals...and i feel so damn sad that i did it...(it was my curiosity)...but later it really bothered my conscious...and of course i don't do it anymore. now if somebody attacked me...I'm not sure if i could only wound him/her and run away like the Bruce lee taught...don't kill just hurt to get yourself outta there. If i killed because of the fear...then what?
ReplyDeleteam i just as bad as the attacker? because i killed too? Jesus and Gandhi...did it without violence...turn the other check...can you do that? can i do that? i don't know...because I've never been attacked like that....but i wonder.
Thanks again,
(I haven;t gone into gmail yet...) im in and out of computer.......... later.