Fighter VS warrior: the differences

Master Kongling All, 6DKF philosophy, 6DKF School, Questions and answers 3

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Are you a fighter or a warrior?

Martial arts have been practiced for centuries, serving not only as a means of self-defense or war (read The 6 types of martial clash) but also as a pathway to personal growth and mental enlightenment.

Note – This article has been asked by one of our Core Course practitioners on Patreon (see how to attend our home study classes here Learn Kung Fu online: a beginner-to-expert course).

The less experienced are unable to grasp the distance between the idea of warrior and fighter but it exists and is decisive. While both terms may seem synonymous at first, they embody different philosophies and approaches to combat practice / study.

A note by Master Kongling – This article delves into the essence of these two archetypes, exploring their motivations, mindsets, and the ultimate goal they seek to achieve, in order to allow us to understand what is the right path to follow (read The right thing to do) to reach our goals.

The best fighter is the one that prevails

When we think of fighters, we envision individuals skilled in physical combat, driven by the desire to emerge victorious in confrontations:

Fighters dedicate themselves to honing their techniques, strength, and agility with the aim of overpowering their opponents
They thrive in competitive environments, seeking validation and recognition through their victories
The best fighter is often perceived as the one who can defeat any adversary and assert dominance
…

The best warrior is the one who does not need to fight

Contrary to the fighter’s mindset, the warrior’s approach to martial arts emphasizes a higher purpose beyond mere victory:

A warrior understands that true strength lies not in overpowering others but in achieving inner harmony and control
Their focus extends beyond physical prowess, as they strive to cultivate discipline, mental fortitude, a deep understanding of themselves and their surroundings
Warriors embody peaceful principles and seek to avoid conflict whenever possible; they are deeply and seriously trained to fight but they never search the physical confrontation / competition
Their training is not solely about defeating adversaries but about finding alternative paths to resolution and fostering peace (read for example Personal defense: the S.A.F.E. method)
By embodying the qualities of compassion, humility, and wisdom, the warrior aspires to be a positive force in the world
For a warrior, in a self-defense scenario, to recur to violence is a form of mental defeat and humiliation (read The 6DKF’s diagram about the use of violence)
…

The difference between intimidation and respect

While fighters often use their skills to intimidate and dominate others, warriors command respect through their character and integrity.

True respect is earned through demonstrating honor, fairness, and compassion in both victory and defeat. A fighter may be feared but a warrior is revered for his / her values and the positive impact he / she has on those around him / her.

Defining our martial spirit

To understand whether our martial arts journey aligns with the path of a fighter or a warrior, we must introspect and examine our intentions:

Is our practice rooted in the desire for personal growth, self-mastery, and the pursuit of inner freedom (read Discipline is the key to freedom)?
Or are we driven by ego, seeking validation through external victories?
Are we intentioned to build real character or to hide our weak one behind a wall of aggressivity?

Becoming a warrior: the importance of self-discipline

A true warrior’s desire stems from a place of purity.

6 Dragons Kung Fu has been designed, from the very first steps, to provide deep self-discovery opportunities, enabling practitioners to delve into their own strengths and weaknesses.

Why?

Because it is more than essential to assess whether our motives are noble or petty
Because we cannot change what we do not fully understand
Because it is precisely from understanding one’s weaknesses that true strength arises
Because our reasons shape the course of our training and ultimately define the type of martial artist we will become
Because weak convictions lead to weak discipline, concentration, and preparation
Because it is only through a strong conviction that one finds the motivation to persevere through challenges, setbacks, and self-doubt

Final notes

A few conclusive thoughts:

In the realm of martial arts, the distinction between being a fighter and a warrior goes beyond physical prowess; while fighters seek victory and dominance, warriors strive for inner harmony, self-mastery, and the pursuit of a higher purpose
Warriors are driven not by external validation but by a genuine quest for self-discovery and personal growth; each step they take in their training is dedicated to knowing, understanding, accepting, and directing every aspect of their lives, addressing both the positive and negative ones
We shouldn’t be scared if our initial motivations are negative, it’s more than normal and common; even if we are not aware of it, the evil that dwells in us is always and in any case directed towards others (fear, resentment, envy, frustration, etc.) but it has nothing to do with others, we harm ourselves from alone; the point is to understand that not accepting ourselves mainly harms ourselves; the first step in order to improve our existence is, therefore, to be aware of being carriers of this sort of “disease” that we voluntarily inflict on ourselves, the second is to find a direction towards which to channel all this negativity (a “cure”) and this could really be 6 Dragons Kung Fu (read From white belt to black belt: your path)
By embracing the mindset of a warrior, a practitioner can transform his / her journey into a means of personal growth, enlightenment, and cultivation of positive change (within himself / herself and his / her communities)
…

In the next article of this series, we will deepen these topics.

In-depth video courses

Mind self-control hacks – How to extend the effectiveness of your mind
Basic 6 Dragons Kung Fu Exercises – The core practices to build substantial combat skills
How to build strong self-discipline – How to acquire the skill that opens the way to all the others
Meditation: how to start – A fundamental step to embrace the path of non-violence
Self-defense: not violent self-preservation – Everything that you can do to preserve your safety (before accessing violence)

In-depth articles

6 Dragons Kung Fu: what does it teach? – The learning path of our Kung Fu
Revenge and resentment: knives taken from the blade side – Why evil harms above all those who make it their own

Questions

Reply in the comments and share your experience:

Do you feel like a warrior or a fighter?

Author: Master Kongling

Founder of 6 Dragons Kung Fu.

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