Meditations on Violence. Rory Miller
A fresh voice writing from the trenches on the realities of real fighting. Listen to him. [This book] sheds insight on the psychology and physicality of dealing with people who want to rip your head off. [If you are really serious about self-defense, you’ll want to] learn from a veteran corrections officer the ugly reality of real fighting as opposed to how it’s taught in too many strip mall dojos.
Every martial artist, every cop and every corrections officer should read this book.
–Loren Christensen, (ret) police officer, Portland P.D., martial artist, author
Loren is a 7th Dan black belt, Vietnam veteran and author of 35 books. www.lwcbooks.com. Loren was named by Black Belt magazine as “one of the top twenty toughest Men on Planet Earth.”
Author:
• Solo Training • Fighters Fact Book • On Combat (co-author with Lt. Col. Dave Grossman)
The difference between theory and practice is in theory there is no difference. Unfortunately, countless law enforcement and correctional officers, security professionals and private citizens have discovered this also applies to the training they have received in the safety of a martial arts school (or academy) and the realities of applying that training in a live-fire situation.
The reason this transition is so difficult is because surviving physical violence is so much more than just punching, kicking, or pulling a trigger. From the safety of training, these elements seem like small obstacles that will be easily overcome. Unfortunately, in a live-fire situation those small obstacles can become huge canyons. Rory Miller’s book is not only a fantastic introduction to what you will face in a violent situation, but it provides keen insights and concepts that even an experienced operative will find useful in staying safe in a dangerous occupation
–Marc ‘Animal’ MacYoung, martial artist, self-defense consultant www.nononsenseselfdefense.com, author
Author:
• A Professional’s Guide to Ending Violence Quickly • Cheap Shots, Ambushes and Other Lessons
MEDITATIONS
ON VIOLENCE
MEDITATIONS
ON VIOLENCE
A Comparison of
Martial Arts Training &
Real World Violence
Sergeant Rory Miller
YMAA Publication Center, Inc.
Main Office
PO Box 480
Wolfeboro, NH 03894
1-800-669-8892 • www.ymaa.com • [email protected]
© 2008 by Rory Miller
All rights reserved, including the right of reproduction in whole or in part in any form.
Cover Design: Richard Rossiter
Editing: Tim Comrie
Photo on previous page courtesy of Critical Care BioRecovery, LLC
Print ISBN: 9781594391187
Ebook ISBN: 9781594391408
Publisher’s Cataloging in Publication
Miller, Rory, 1964-
Meditations on violence : a comparison of martial arts training & real world violence / Rory Miller. -- 1st ed. -- Boston, Mass. : YMAA Publication Center, c2008.
p. ; cm.
ISBN: 978-1-59439-140-8
Includes bibliographical references and index.
1. Martial arts--Psychological aspects. 2. Violence--Psychological aspects. 3. Fighting (Psychology) I. Title.
GV1102.P75 M55 2008
796.8/092--dc22
2008927616
0806
Warning: Readers are encouraged to be aware of all appropriate local and national laws relating to self-defense, reasonable force, and the use of weaponry, and act in accordance with all applicable laws at all times. Neither the authors nor the publisher assume any responsibility for the use or misuse of information contained in this book.
Nothing in this document constitutes a legal opinion nor should any of its contents be treated as such. While the authors believe that everything herein is accurate, any questions regarding specific self-defense situations, legal liability, and/or interpretation of federal, state, or local laws should always be addressed by an attorney at law.
When it comes to martial arts, self-defense, and related topics, no text, no matter how well written, can substitute for professional, hands-on instruction. These materials should be used for academic study only.
CONTENTS
FOREWORD: BY STEVEN BARNES
1.1: the tactical matrix—an example
1.2: the strategic matrix: what martial arts tries to be
2.1: assumptions and epistemology
2.3: common sources of knowledge about violence
2.4: strategy training
2.5: goals in training
2.6: thinking in the moment
CHAPTER 3: VIOLENCE
3.1: types of violence
Patterns of Violence
3.2: the four basic truths of violent assault
3.3: the chemical cocktail
Different Cocktails
Levels of Hormonal Stimulation
3.4: adapting to the chemical cocktail
Training and Experience
3.5: the context of violence
3.6: violence happens in places