True "Seeing" for Martial Purposes

In the ken-po goku-i it is said, "One must SEE all sides." In my recent reading of the book of martial power by Steven J. Pearlman I have realized that this also means utilizing "peripheral vision" in combat or just about any endeavor. Pearlman Sensei provides this principal/fundamental in a light not realized by me before that moment.

He provided me with the knowledge that peripheral vs. direct vision in bypassing the thinking mind and accessing directly my training to achieve quicker action should I be attacked. All provided my training included as real a fighting drill/simulations as possible coupled with any and all actual hands-on experiences.

A principal that says peripheral vision is to "Look far to see near, look near to see far." It tells us it increase our reactions. This practice might enlighten all of us to the old stories of martial artists who could end a fight by their kamae with a stare that conveyed strong ability, etc. The blank stare of pheripheral vision utility can be interpreted by an opponent as total non-concern conveying a complete lack of thought toward anything but that opponents total destruction with no opening for him, etc. [total lack of true conveyance of what I mean but hopefully you will still get what I am trying to say]

After all, seeing all sides can mean not only the direct vision being placed no-mind/no-where so that the peripheral vision that stretches at least 180 degrees along with movement to achieve 360 degree views does make sense. Using this can and does allow a martial artist to "see all sides."

TEST: Take a cardboard tube and place it gently over one eye, close the other eye, and this will give you the experience of what it might be like with out your peripheral vision. Take the tube away and then back and then away then what is perceived outside of direct vision becomes more apparent.

Bibliography:
Perlman, Steven J. "The Book of Martial Power: The Universal Guide to the Combative Arts." New York. The Overlook Press. 2006.

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