Over the years, high ranking members of the martial arts community have had several inquisitions about the Dillman pressure point phenomenon. Many of these inquiries have been very difficult to verbalize in the past decade. Numerous members of the martial arts culture have been silent about Dillman's approach to training methods, many have not. Although several have spoken out against the Dillman approach, others have stood up for Dillman's methods. This has caused a division between many of the traditional schools, and the Dillman schools. It seems as though the Dillman group, has generally declared, "hit them points, it won't hurt ya!" and from the more traditional systems, "watch out, hitting those points will sooner or later destroy your health, even kill ya!". There is a third group, that declares, that there is no need to use pressure points at all, that brute strength is all that's needed. The traditional systems warn us that pressure points are worth learning, but training methods must be done with all caution. The scientific communities have also taken a part in investigating the differing view points voiced by all players. Even though this battle rages, there has arisen something new from the mind of George Dillman, the study of, knocking a person unconscious without touching them. He has dubbed this method, The No Touch Knock Out. There has been deep controversy between different martial art camps, on the realities of this new phenomenon. The scientific community has taken part in studies and investigations by accredited groups such as National Geographic Institute, with a some what nonpartisan view point, which can be looked upon as an unbiased opinion. What could they reveal?
National Geographic K.O. George Dillman.
Aired on the History channel, National Geographic authorized the TV show, "Is It Real?" to scientifically investigate several mysterious groups from around the world. These groups claim to have special mystical powers. The central figure examined on the program was a martial arts splinter group which is headed by the celebrated Karate author, George Dillman. Mr. Dillman is the leader of a abundant following of supporters who practice his system of martial arts which he calls, Kyushu jitsu. This word Kyushu jitsu has several meanings depending on the Japanese characters used. In this case, it means to cause illness or to wound, (through hand to hand combat techniques) by way of physical strikes to acupuncture points found on the human body. This Dillman theory basically states that by using the power of Chi, when entered into two or more pressure points of the body, by means of a light strike, would render an attacker unconscious, when physically struck by way of hand or foot. These two or more strike combinations are implemented by use of the element theory, (see chart on site) used by doctors of acupuncture, to heal illness. Martial arts systems use this same element theory in a different way, to destroy health.
But the newest Dillman theory claims the ability to knock out a person, without touching them what so ever! This has become the new driving force from the Dillman camp. The question that first arises is, was Dillman the first to produce these pressure point theories? The answer is NO. These techniques of striking one pressure point to enhance the result of the next strike is as old as fighting it self. As well, the legend of projecting Chi across open space to incapacitate the enemy is a fable of Chinese folk tales from long ago. The first appearance of hitting points started in China during the Sung Dynasty and can be traced back to India. If the element theory has been in practice for hundreds even thousands of years, and the legendary tales of projecting Chi force dates back to the pre-Shaolin temple era, what really is Dillman's Claim to fame? Is it that George Dillman has brought back interest to the general martial arts community? Yes, Mr. Dillman did in fact popularize Pressure Point usage to the karate community. The traditional martial arts community has no problem recognizing the element theory (striking one point to enhance the effect of the next striking point), thousands of martial artists world wide study this very theory. The problem traditional systems find is in Dillmans method of teaching.
The question National Geographic had to consider, can the power of Chi really be projected across a distance to incapacitate an oncoming attacker? Along with the Dillman Group, National Geographic has also investigated an Islamic religious sect. There claim to fame is their practice of stabbing themselves with sharp objects. The third is a mystic, a self proclaimed prophet, who declares that his large following comes to see him for his ability to manipulate future events. At first viewing, it may not be clear, what these three have to do with one another. We will examine, first this very point to see what these groups have in common.
IS IT REAL?
As the "Is It Real?" program opens, Dillman vocally makes the statement, "I can knock out anyone without touching them". The "Is It Real?" team filmed several examples of Mr. Dillman demonstrating his no touch knock out technique on students in one of his seminar classes. At first glance, it appears that Mr. Dillman is really doing what he said he could do. Placing a sheet barrier between him and a student-subject, Dillman focuses his secret power, called Chi, at the student and in time, the student falls to the ground! Other clips show Mr. Dillman focusing his Chi on a line of students which eventually forces them backward. Many of them fall to the ground.
Suddenly, the film fades and takes a turn to another account which focused on an Islamic religious cult. which teaches a form of bodily mutilation which displays the powers behind there religious beliefs. Their devotees self mutilate themselves by stabbing themselves through the fleshy parts of there bodies, allegedly without feeling any pain or intense bleeding! The ritual involves asking the high priest for permission to execute the harsh process, then the devotee offers prayers to their Islamic ancestors before performing the piercing exercise. The devotee then stabs himself through the cheek with a long thin needle. Other devotees would put a needle through the fleshy part of there chest and others put swords through the top of there heads??? Yup, through the top of there skulls which appears to enter the brain!
Medical doctors comments.
"Is It Real?" interviews several medical surgeons who testified that there is nothing mystical at all about these devotees penetrating there skin. As you watch this film, you will noticed that in the demonstration given by a doctor/devotee of this group, it was clearly visible, that his face expressed pain, as he pierced his left cheek with a long thin needle. A secondary factor was the amount of bleeding was minimal in his case, just a few drops. The hole that was made by the long needle appeared to close up after the needle was removed, yet again the surgeon's who were interviewed, guaranteed that these effects are common occurrences in the operating room. The amazing thing to me was, the doctor/devotee, who pierced himself (an educated rational human being) was thoroughly convinced that he was feeling no pain, and that the act he performed was supernatural in nature! This causes me to ask the questions, If one could clearly see the doctor experiencing pain. but he had not recognized the fact that he had experienced pain, did I witness a form of self hypnosis? What about the lack of bleeding? In the case of Liposuction for example, the probe being used is much thicker in diameter than the thin needle used by the doctor/devotee who pieced his cheek. But in the cases of Liposuction, there was little to no bleeding involved in that process. The wound, when dabbed would stop or slow the bleeding, just like the doctors cheek. When the probe is removed in Liposuction the opening seems to close itself up, as did the doctors opening. In the case of the devotee which stabbed himself through the top of the head, which there were no formal investigation conducted, this act defies any reasonable explanation. Because in reality, any medical technician, can tell you that, the brain would have of course been permanently damaged if the sword used, really had penetrated the brain. But the devotee never blinks a eye as he puts the sword in or takes it out. But yet the doctor/devotee could not pull it out, with all his might!
Next, a self proclaimed prophet is examined for his professed ability to see into the future and with powers uncertain, could change a person's destiny! This popular mystic claims to change his follower's future by giving his distressed countryman a charm alone with some counseling. The staff of "Is It Real?" planted several investigators, to see how this mystic operates. Each investigator spent time privately with the mystic as a two way conversation takes place. After the investigation concluded, the investigators were interviewed by the staff of Is It real. In each case it had been found that the self proclaimed mystic merely invented a future traumatic event which would befall each investigator, which in reality, did in no way truly exist! The self proclaimed mystic had guaranteed he could change the terrifying future out come! It was also discovered that this charlatan appealed mostly to the poor and uneducated segment of the population. The average monetary charge for the mystic's services was about one months pay! In this case, it become plain to see that superstition within a certain segment of the population, having a desperate need to relieve there suspicions, would call upon a mystic such as this. Does a need to believe in something greater than your own personal power, someone with a power beyond your own, force a person to side step logic? Would people pay hard earned money for the so called privilege to do so? ABSOLUTLY.
Suddenly the "Is It Real" editors, cut back to the Dillman seminar. Within the class, an investigator had also been planted. This investigator is currently a professor at the university of Milan, known for exposing misleading mystical performances. Would the Dillman team be able to knock out the investigator with Dillman's no touch knock out technique? Throughout the time spent at Dillman's seminar, no one was able to cause the professor to even become dizzy, let alone Knock him out! Dillman, in a later interview was asked the question, why didn't it work on our investigating professor? Dillman's reply was, "he was not a believer" (BINGO)! When he made this statement he indicated that it only works if you are a believer. Then Dillman, in making this statement, with the understanding that he made a serious mistake, side steps his mistake by making the statement that, If a man places his tongue in a certain position in his mouth or if a man lifts one of his big toes off the ground, that no one could knock him out??? Don't you think we owe a debt of gratitude to Mr. Dillman for revealing the hidden techniques which nullify all of Dillman's dreaded knock out techniques, (Thanks for the tip George!!!) Is Dillman trying to say that this professor was lifting his toe, and falsifying a scientific investigation, or is he covering up some type of hidden agenda?
Is It Real, felt that the long awaited question had been answered, not by the Is It Real staff, but by George Dillman himself! Mr. Dillman's predictable statements, Changed from, "I can knock out anyone", to "He was not a believer" or "His tongue is in the wrong position" or "he must be lifting his big toe" has very definite implications. But here is something shown on the film that "Is It real?" didn't pick up. The time factor involved. If in fact Dillman had knocked out anyone, how long did it take Dillman to do it? A minute, two minutes, five minutes or more? The question is, if the technique really did work, how long does it take to perform the knock out? and can this be applied to a fast moving combat or street attack situation? The answer, If it takes seconds let alone minutes, it has no martial arts use at all !!!
The Is It Real team ends the documentary filming with the comment that, these individuals, the Islamic religious sect, the false prophet and Mr. Dillman, instill a deep belief system into there individual devotees. These charismatic personalities are in the eyes of scientific inquiry unproven. Although they have the operational appearance of functioning, They only seem to work in a controlled environment. By Dillman's own admission, The power of his Chi and his so called ability to knock out any individual, is determined by a belief system, and is not determined by Dillman's Chi powers.
Controversy in the marital arts community.
The Dillman student followers have become protective, confused and disheartened all at once, not knowing which way to turn. The instructors have gotten defensive over Dillman blunders because of the threat to their investment on their own DVD sales. To say nothing of the student drop out rate. The martial arts world have voiced their opinions about the Dillman statements in no uncertain terms by way of the internet. You will find a definite distrust or even distain for Dillman and his organizational practices. Many martial artists claim that it only proves the fact that these so called Dillman techniques only work on Dillman students! Others say that it is a form of hypnosis! In the past, traditional martial art communities have always been against Dillman's practice of recruitment. That it is irresponsible if not immoral to recruit anybody who would reimburse Dillman for this potentially dangerous training application. Because, prior to the 19th century, a true master of the pressure point arts would take a long time to train a student in the basics. Not only because the basics are necessary but also so the master could learn the heart of the student, and that no misuse would take place on the part of the student. Many students would never be chosen. Dillman has continuously side stepped this process. Many old school masters and instructors have become enraged because of Dillman's lack of responsibility to the public and the martial arts community!
Moral objection.
It is not the fact that it is a trick or if projecting Chi across open space is a fraud, it is the safety factor that should be the issue. In the practice of healing, I personally have witnessed projected Chi from Buddhist monks from China, who if they maintained a pure mental state and lifestyle, could use this power for healing illnesses and they could do it with out touching the patient. The distance was about two to five inches, not feet or yards. One monk demonstrated this chi power on me. It was a powerful magnetic type force, which lifted my hair off my head. Another Monk I spoke to said, that if a monk killed a insect, his powers to heal will diminish, because of the emotional imbalance, or if he had impure thoughts, it would do just the opposite makeing the illness worse than before. The mental state does have an effect on the chi force. This same monk also said that, for these reasons the practicing Monks, could never use it for harm. This would be unthinkable. As far as Chi travel the reality nor the out come has ever been determined. Are there repercussions in the transmition to the reception of these energy fields? Do they have any negative effect on the person involved? Although some scientific research has been done, nothing has been clearly and factually confirmed, either way. The American journal of Chinese medicine, Acupuncture & electro-therapeutics, and several other institutions have tested masters with abilities which show a power to produce energy but as for testing for repercussion in transmition and or reception, the effects are at this time undetermined. Although some older martial artists feel that there are at time problems. And the reasons for these problems are not known, one thing is known...Effects can be erratic in nature. This energy has a widely random pattern which has no respect for time, age, health or intelligence. Then why is Dillman's light strikes style to several points using the element theory a problem? Let me take a moment to explain.
In Acupuncture, a Doctor will read the pulses found above the wrist of his patient, to determine the cause of a visible illness. Why, because there are several possibilities for any common illness and to haphazardly insert needles into the incorrect points or even the wrong meridian could be catastrophic! To use these same pressure points in the case of hand to hand combat situations during warfare of course is of no consequence; fore the primary object is to kill or to do as much damage as possible. But in the case of training method, the haphazard striking of points using the element theory will certainly have consequence, some clearly visible and some invisible! Why, because health conditions at these training seminars are unknown! Plus these instructors are not qualified to read a pulse, nor do they do so! So now, we can clearly see that Acupuncture and warfare are opposite ends of the spectrum. One to heal but the other to kill. In reality there is no middle ground. The core training method of the Dillman instructional philosophy is that, as long as you use light striking power, to a group of points (rather than a single strike) there is no long term danger. Doctors of Acupuncture and traditional masters question, the common sense of Dillman and his followers. The Dillman groups are like an assembly of school boys, shooting arrows straight up into the air, it is exciting but dangerous!
Many martial artists, who train for combat defense, question the reality of the necessity to apply attacks to more than one vital point at a time? Many masters around the world claim it is not essential, when one well placed precision strike will do the job every time. In any combative attack situation, the most expedient technique is always best. This would be the answer of most old school Masters around the world. To use a complicated process of several strikes is, difficult, or impossible to apply in the heat of battle. It is an impossibility for the light strike technique which the Dillman groups teach to work in a high speed combat situation, and has never been proven to work in combat as yet! What the ancestors of India, China, Okinawa, Japan and the like use in combat is a single strong heavy blow to a pressure point.
Then why do so many people practice the Dillman method and why do so many teachers of martial arts enlist and teach the Dillman techniques in their schools? The answer is simple, the Dillman students can and do demonstrate these compound light strike techniques because in the right environment they do work, most of the time. What environment will the Dillman theory's work?
A light strike compound technique will work if,
1. If the person being hit is perfectly relaxed combined with one or more vital points, simultaneously or one after an other.
2. if the person is in a unhealthy condition.
3. If the person is surprised by the attack.
4. if the student is week from over exercise.
5. Any person who is under the influence of strong drugs or alcohol for any reason.
6. any partner who is relaxed and ready to be hit!
7. Any combination of the above.
Why won't Dillmans theory's work in combat? You will find that these above conditions will never apply to the person who is attacking another person, other than possibly alcohol and drugs. And second more light strikes within the quick action of combat or a street fight is unlikely to work, because the body chemistry prepares the body for heavy blows, light blows would never do the job. The energies in the attackers body are way to high.
The Dillman theory's can work at times, for demonstration purposes only! That is were Dillman's techniques really work. Like the board of nails trick, it draws huge crowds to the performer, and a percentage will want to learn these techniques for themselves. These types of demonstrations fill the Do Jo and sell the DVD's.
The bigger Question is, why would anyone want to take part in any activity that may cause permanent harm to themselves or any other human being? In western medicine, it is a known fact that sudden impact to the head, neck or even certain parts of the body, cause trauma. In other words, any impact or injury to any part of the body may cause health problems, even chronic illness perhaps death. The fact that even slight trauma to nerves, arteries and organs may cause damage to some extent. Sudden impact in many cases lead to permanent health problems immediately or several years later. This is the foundational nature of martial arts, to locate and attack vital points for that very purpose so that one may survive a combat attack. In the case of light repeated strikes to the same areas of the body over a long period of time will change the natural structure and condition of the impact area. There is no question about it, Dillman's practice can be dangerous. Many top masters have spoken out over the years about the seriousness of this practice of repeated strikes to the body cavities, even light ones.
Conclusion.
We have hear the voices of many institutions who verbalize there response to the recruiting and training practices of George Dillman and there collaborator. We have witnessed the anti- Dillman voices of National Geographic, The traditional martial arts communities, The western medical communities, The eastern medical communities and hundreds of singular individuals from around the world. A huge assembly that comes together with one strong voice warning of the ever possible danger of the literal striking of pressure points and the possible fraud involved in other aspects of Dillman's psychological dependence strategy, which students as well as instructors around the world have come to know.
So why don't they stop this practice if it is known to be dangerous? May be it's like Star Wars, the dark side of the force V.S. the bright side of the force. Or may be they just don't care enough for the students. Or may be that old saying has something to it, "Ignorance is (truly) bliss"!
About this Author
Shi Xin Gao Zhu,
Registered 8th level, Internal Arts,
Beijing China
Article Source:
http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Shi_Xin_Gao_Zhu
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