Sen Sen No Sen/OODA Mindset.

 What is the OODA Loop? There are many that write about it in many different contexts, from ariel Dog Fights to Martial Arts to Self Defense. What does it mean? How is it utilized? 

O. Observe

O. Orient

D. Decide

A. Act


These are not abstract concepts, in point of fact, we do NOT need to do anything special in order to apply this as we already do this on a regular basis. This is where many seem to miss the point. It is not pointing something out for the sake of applying a concept, nor is it pointing out something we already do just for the sake of pointing it out. 

What is the formulation of the concept meant to do then? Why is it pointing out a natural aspect of ourselves? 

Because the first to reach ACT wins. This spells the difference between ending an assault or other altercation quickly and going home or being on the receiving end and going to the hospital or the morgue. The whole point is to BREAK the Loop and to reach the ACT portion FIRST. 

The point in BREAKING the LOOP is in NOT ALLOWING WHATEVER IS ABOUT TO HAPPEN A CHANCE TO HAPPEN! 

This is not something new. Quite often a concept exists in order to illustrate that to which we should draw our attention so that we are mindful of not falling victim to it. So that we can rise above whatever it is that is being pointed out and gain some semblance of control over ourselves and each situation. 

Sen Sen No Sen is what this is called in the Japanese Martial Arts. Beating them to the punch, getting 'Left of Bang' by paying attention. 

In many Karate circles there is a notion called 'Karate Ni Senti Nashi' which is often translated as 'There is no first attack in Karate' and it would seem to go against any notion of pre-emptively arriving at an action before our opponent does. 

This is a modern notion, and the key word here is 'Opponent' rather than 'Assailant' or even 'Combatant.' This implies a sport, not Self-Defense, Defensive Tactics, or Combatives. In a situation where your life may very well be on the line, or your health at the very least, it is best not to wax poetic, get philosophical, and throw that out the window. Beat them to the punch or they will beat you to a pulp. 

There is really no other way to put that that illustrates it in a way that gets to the point. 

OODA is not just applicable in these situations either, it is something that can be applied across the board in other areas of life if we choose to utilize it in such a fashion. Sen Sen No Sen is versatile in work, home life, games, any sort of goals you have set for yourself. You might say it is BEST to practice it in EVERYTHING so that it BECOMES SECOND NATURE IN ALL THINGS. 

That goes without saying, really, just apply it. 


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