The Real Strength Behind Martial Arts Begins Where Fear Ends
Written by Simon Lau, Master at Simon Lau Centre
I am the founder of The Simon Lau Centre. I was born in China and, from a young age, educated by Buddhist monks. This instilled in me the belief that the minds that coordinate the activities of violence can coordinate the activities of cooperation. Everyone has an equal right to eliminate suffering and seek happiness.
Before beginning their journey at the Simon Lau Centre, every new student is asked by Master Lau to reflect on why they wish to learn martial arts. These introductory seminars reveal a wide range of motivations, some seek self-defence or practical combat skills, others approach it as a sport or fitness regime.
Yet, beneath these diverse reasons lies a common thread: fear. Whether we acknowledge it or not, our desire to protect ourselves is rooted in a sense of vulnerability. Fear is the silent catalyst that draws us to martial arts. And because fear is the root, its confrontation and transcendence become the true goal of traditional training. At the Simon Lau Centre, Master Lau makes this purpose unambiguously clear. Our aim is not to become a lethal weapon or world champion. A champion who lives in fear has gained little of real value. Far more enriching than any trophy is the ability to live free from fear and intimidation.
For Master Lau, supreme skill is not defined by victories in combat, but by the ability to influence and guide without conflict through strategy, presence, and wisdom.
Given the central role of fear in martial arts, it is striking how rarely mainstream practices address it directly.
In real-life conflict, where rules disappear, no catalogue of techniques can account for every possible scenario. While some argue that learning more techniques offers more protection, the paradox is that in moments of crisis, our ability to recall the right one diminishes. This is why a martial art must be more than just techniques, it must become a way of transforming fear. Traditional techniques are tools to support this deeper goal, cultivating confidence, assertiveness, and resilience in the face of aggression. Through this inner transformation, we learn to live with spontaneity, strength, and grace.
Fear isn’t just a martial arts issue, it’s one of life’s deepest undercurrents. Though society is filled with accounts of violence, many of us don’t encounter it regularly. The fear that grips us most often springs not from external threats, but from within, our own minds. And society, for all its modernity, offers few effective ways of addressing it. We avoid the topic. We suppress it. Yet it quietly governs much of our behaviour and can shrink our lives if left unchecked.
Beyond the psychological toll, fear hinders physical performance. It produces rigid energy, resulting in panicked, jerky movements. Stiffness slows us down and prevents us from yielding to force, making us vulnerable against stronger opponents. Mentally, fear clouds judgment, leading to a loss of control. Our energy scatters, our focus vanishes, and we tire quickly.
Fear also interrupts learning. A student who arrives with something to prove, perhaps after training elsewhere, may feel threatened simply by being in a martial arts setting. Desperate to impress, they mask fear with bravado. Training becomes a performance, not a process. And when fear overrides humility, genuine progress halts.
Unfortunately, fear isn’t exclusive to students. It also appears in instructors who bully and intimidate as a way to mask their insecurities. Punishment press-ups, excessive force in demonstrations, these tactics only show more fear. When respect is demanded rather than earned, the deeper value of martial arts is lost.
So how do we confront this formidable adversary, fear?
Master Lau’s hard-earned knowledge is not easily shared, yet its role is pivotal. Overcoming fear is not just a personal triumph, it holds transformative power for society. Fear is the root of violence. Conquering it cultivates peace within ourselves and our communities. And this is what elevates martial arts far above other forms of exercise.
One principle is central to this pursuit, discipline. Discipline leads us to one of Master Lau’s golden rules. Know your self-worth. We must know what we can and cannot do. If we don’t, our training must uncover the answer. Without this truth, confidence cannot grow. But this requires discipline, discipline to train with realism, focus, and honesty. It's demanding, yet the rewards ripple through both life and practice.
Knowing our self-worth helps us distinguish between what we want and what we need. We often chase desires, yet they may not lead to improvement. Without progress, frustration builds, and confidence fades. But when we focus on what we truly need, training becomes purposeful. We commit with passion, knowing we are growing, not simply imagining it. We talk less about training, and train more.
As Master Lau often says, "Self-discipline means doing the right thing. If you do the right thing for a week, you are disciplined for a week. Sustain it for a year, and you’ve truly embraced discipline. It means honouring your time, valuing your choices. And your time is a reflection of your self-respect, self-worth, and self-confidence."
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Simon Lau, Master at Simon Lau Centre
I trained in martial arts and qigong. The discipline training became an invaluable tool to teach me how I could overcome my fear of violence and allow myself to perform in everyday life in a more spontaneous and constructive way. In keeping with the Warrior tradition, I have focused my life as much on being a healer as being a martial artist. I am a sincere practitioner of qigong, Chinese herbal medicine, and Chinese astrology, believing that physical, emotional, and spiritual health are essential for self-development and inner awareness. Everyone has the potential to improve and change because each new day represents a new life. Every hour of our time is a gift.
