I was having a conversation the other day, on our terrace, with Scrawny and Fatass. We were deep in discussion about how aggressive the rickshaw guys were getting these days, not to mention snooty and irritating. Many people get into arguments with them, probably even physical fights. The topic then moved to discussing how physically aggressive each of us has ever been. At that point Scrawny says “…the day I resort to physical aggression I will consider it an insult to my mind...” I think that was a remarkable line that he happened to construct.Most of us resort to physical display of anger simply out of pure frustration that mentally we are unable to do anything about. It goes for all of us. Only thing that differs is the degree to which each of us can handle mental helplessness, or how 'in'capable each of our minds are. Some people can coolly deal with some situations while others can’t. That then brought me to wonder that even though most of us resort to physical aggression does that mean we are mentally incapable?! (The very idea scared me. I simply cannot believe that my mind is incapable of something!) And yet like any other individual I resort to throwing things once in a while.
Then I realized that, the time when I felt like resorting to any physical display of aggression the most dominant emotion was anger or frustration. And at that point my mind probably does become incapable. The dominance of any negative emotion (or even positive for that matter, the amount people jump about or over react when excited!) creates a sort of temporary defunct of the mind.
I hate to be vulnerable or mentally weakened, when it can be taken advantage of. I like to know that I am in control of situations even if their creation was not my doing. I am sure all of us do. So the sudden realization (actually it’s something my mom has been ranting for years!) hit me. I realized that by resorting to physical reaction you actually reduce yourself to a very primitive level that probably barbarians or tribals or our very old ancestors resorted to. Is it really something I would like to do? The answer almost screamed at me – Of course not!
I do want to be physically able though, so that when someone attacks, I can kickass! (Cheers my martial arts!) That is kind of a must for every woman who is interested to build an independent life for herself. Every woman needs to know how to defend herself so that she can confidently walk wherever she wants whenever she needs to (doesn’t mean at 2am, but you get my point).
But other than knowing how to defend yourself, physical aggression needs to be limited. Just because you can, doesn’t mean you should. The very first thing I learnt when I was being trained how to fight was – “The art of knowing how to fight is to know when to avoid one”. Not because you are a coward but because if it cannot be fought by the brain it is not worth fighting at all. Then again for women and girls who face perverts that will grab and squeeze, or rub themselves against you, stare like you were X-rayed, for God-knows what sick pleasure, its kick-ass-face-crotch. Disfigure and disable will be my dying statement.
Ahhh got a little aggravated there myself, can’t help it, the little feminist that fights all these audacities everyday needed a word! But physical aggression is just as my friend Scrawny put it – An insult to the mind. The mind; its intelligence, common sense, presence of mind and spontaneity are what need to be worked on. Instead of jumping to anger or fear when agitated, think straight. Think calm. (I know it sounds damn difficult. Have been working on it since forever!) But when I was suddenly enlightened at the idea that it points to my intelligence it shook me. Becoming mentally inferior is simply unacceptable for me! :) Might be an ego or whatever but anything that points me in the direction to being stable, to use wit and common sense rather than punching somebody’s face (though immensely satisfying at first) only degrades my very existence.
So as of my revelation I have sworn to keep physically calm and serene. As another friend described himself, “I am a mind warrior”. Mind power over physical power. I will – What the hell is the matter with my net connection? Shit! It’s not responding! I just spent so much time typing! Bloody feel like throwi—Ooopss... Ah well, try try until you succeed!:)
