Concepts of a Fighter.

More of the head game from my Knight:

Think of three primary realms where the fighter operates, emotional, perceptual and physical.

* Physical provides the foundation without which perceptions and emotions do not matter. It is the process of mastering the physical that also allows us to master the perceptions and emotions. The physical realm encompasses our toolbox. More tools give us more options when on the job. We must continually sharpen the tools we own, while mastering additional tools to place in the box.

* Perceptual we develop through time-in-hat engaged in contests "that matter" to us. Our perceptions allow us to select the correct tools for the job, and to use them at the proper time. There can be an intellectual component that guides honing perceptions via studying the "body-language" of contests between others. This is not easy though and requires not watching as entertainment, but for analysis. Video is tricky too, being 3-D (width, height, time) rather than 4-D (adding depth) and lacks the perspective of the opponent (third person impersonal versus first person personal).

* Emotional is how our basic natures relate to contention, and our ability to make significant self-change. It determines if we get the job done efficiently, or at all. Uncontrolled emotions hinder our ability to learn when training, and give our opponents an unearned advantage. Lack of emotional involvement in execution or outcome leads to poor performance. Metaphysically - We could as well call this spiritual, I suppose, but spiritual can imply outside forces as much as internal forces - I see combat as mastering internal forces (emotions). The nature of your beliefs in external forces only matters in how it allows you to master yourself, and can be detrimental in self-mastery if it excuses making the effort (fate/destiny/this is my nature).