October 15, 2011

• Know your options

  Know your options

  5 Principles of Stav

  I practice Stav, an Nordic inspired form of martial arts. I am no expert and no interest in martial arts. My attraction is based on the health benefits I experience daily from performing the 16 rune postures defined in #Stav.Each rune has its own meaning. However what brought me to Xanga today is not the 16 runes but rather the 5 principles of stav. These five principles was developed from the poetic edda....with the creation of classes. According to this tradition the five principles are called: Trel, Karl, Herse, Jarl and Konge. I have made these 5 principles a focus point of my contemplation looking at ways to better understand them. Each principle reflects an approach to life. They are not hierarchical with the one being more important than the other. According to tradition a path is found through a Shamanic type of journey. Being the Warrior-Wizard the path is never one but all for me. I also found it interesting that it was rather easy to relate the 5 principles to the four elements of ancient Greece and the quintessence.

  Trel is the slave and relates well to the sign of water. In terms of the Martial arts Trel has nothing to defend except his/her own life and therefore will avoid an attack rather than fight back. Like water Trel adapts to the situation with minimum resistance, yet as we know water can in its own right be a very destructive force. If fight or flight is the options then Trel will be the flee option. Like water finding the path of least resistance. In the words of Lao Tsu's art of war you will know when you are outnumbered and the possibility of victory is slim. In this circumstances it is best to just allow the world to happen and seek the easiest way out. This might still enslave you in that you do take away the situation, you are dealing with it. But it might allow you to live another day to fight the next day. To be Trel one must be nimble, humble and very awake.

  Karl is the freeman, usually a person who owns property and relates well to the sign of earth. In terms of Martial arts Karl stands his ground and defend by effective blocking of the enemy. We are all faced at a point where we can not just avoid an attack because what we are defending is of enough value to defend. In terms of Lao Tsu's art of war these are situations where are outnumbered only marginally and the battle can be won by being equipped with good strategies. Earth resist directly, when you push a structure that structure pushes back with equal force. We might well face such a situation if we are in our house when somebody breaks into the house with criminal intent. There is an interesting paradox where the slave is free to flee but the freeman is compelled to stand his ground. By blocking of defending effectively Karl hopes that the enemy will get discouraged and find an easier target rather than pursuing the defended area. To become Karl one must have ownership, knowledge and strength. 

  Herse is the Warrior. Somebody equipped to fight. Herse has a responsibility more than just him/herself and his/her property. Herse also protects the life of others. Herse needs the self control to look for the enemy weak points and exploit those weak points for his/her advantage. Herse is offensive in nature and strikes with a counter attack. The offensive nature of Herse correlates well with the fire element. Herse acts from a position of authority, that can be either have been earned through mastery of a skill or by being given authority from a bigger power. A police officer can for example simply show his/her badge and immediately has a different kind of authority that is more than them as individuals. When somebody has mastered an skill of fighting then often that is enough to persuade an enemy to back down from their intent. In Lao Tsu's terminology Herse is ensuring you have the numbers to overpower the enemy, To become Herse one needs discipline, self-control and mastery.

  Jarl is the priest or wizard, and usually has responsibility for the people's survival and/or values. Jarl is a way of peace and the main aim is to simply disarm the enemy and neutralise the thread. This type of approach correlates well with the element of air. A force unseen yet very effective. Jarl will bring reason to the battle to show that there is no need for a fight or will simply change the focus point of the battle so that the enemy fought a battle that can not lead to any victory. The focus here is simply to use the environment against the enemy so that the enemy can not move as fast or can not attack without compromising them. Jarl might even use deceit so that the enemy attack a dummy allowing Jarl to escape the scene. Unlike Trel, Yarl however does not just avoid the battle but also act to neutralise the enemy. To become Jarl one needs to study, observe, be flexible and aware.

  Konge is the king, the master and relates to the quintessence when the four elements combine. Konge is skilled in all four strategies and knows when to use which strategy to best effect of the community as whole. Konge will avoid the attack of the enemy like Jarl, disarm the enemy and then attack the enemy like Herse. The enemy is overpowered by Konge in every category. Konge is unpredictable, flexible and act according to the situation but also are quick to use the situation to his/her advantage. Konge is the small task force that can go beyond enemy lines and create havoc by being felt but not seen in enemy ranks. To become Konge takes time and patience but ultimately it leads to no need to be attached for Konge walks with total freedom and everything at his/her feet.

  So here is the basic ways of approaching problems based on the 5 principles:

  1. Trel - Avoid follow the path of least resistance like water
  2. Karl - Defend your ground stand firm like the earth
  3. Herse - Attack and obliterate, unstoppable like fire.
  4. Jarl - Neutralize by being as light and quick as the wind.
  5. Konge - Combine and become a master yet unpredictable in action and let the spirit be free.

   This clearly shows that the Warrior-Wizard will acquaint himself with bot Herse and Jarl to become Herse-Jarl...maybe on the way to the mastery of Konge. 

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