Perguruan Silat Pusaka Raga Kencana Indonesia

Maniak E-Book (Kumpulan Link Buku Gratis)

2009-12-31T06:26:00.000-08:00

Ditulis oleh Urip.WP.Com di/pada 14 Agustus 2006, DiCopy ulang oleh Kang Hadi

Banyak buku bertebaran rupanya, sayang pada saat belajar dulu tak ada fasiltas seperti saat ini. Yah entah buku2 tersebut legal atau tidak, terutama buku berbau komputer dan juga buku yg lain. Setelah di telusuri ternyata bener2 bejibun… sampai bingung dan belum sempat ngebacanya, entah kapan sempatnya. Yang jelas mungkin nanti… atau keturunan kita… asal gak basi.

Yang bisa ambil langsung yah di Open ebook, selain itu untuk yg bisa direct download belum tahu. Kebanyakan semua buku di titipkan di rapidshare.de. Langganan pencarian buku yang sangat komplit yah di Forumempire

Belum lagi yg di ftp…. pokoknya tinggal siapkan hardisk besar aja… Tapi rasanya hobi ngumpulin buku itu belum tentu hobi mbaca loh..

Berikut ini adalah link-link untuk pencarian buku-buku/majalah gratis yg pernah saya kunjungi:
1. http://www.ebooksclub.org/?module=index
(Computer + IT, Literature + Fiction, Science + Engineering, Medical + Health, Business, Graphic + Photography, Travel + Adventure, Other)
2. http://www.yui.ru/books/ (Computer + IT and All Certification)
3. http://flazx.com/ (Computer & IT)
4. http://www.xpressionsz.com/ (Computer & Other)
5. http://www.oebook.com/0-1.htm (Computer & Other)
6. http://www.hagioteam.info/archive.php (Bermacam-macam)
7. http://books.rackhub.com/
8. http://www.blueportal.org/
9. http://austin.youareinferior.net/books/
10. http://www.devilived.com/category/ebook/page/3/
11. ftp://ftp.freenet.de/pub/filepilot/windows/microsoftaddons/
12. http://www.coe.uga.edu/chds/dtae2/pdf/?S=D
13. http://www.dientuftp.com/down/
14. http://mann.globat.com/~maugmasti.net/Downloads/Ebooks/CD3/Ebooks/
15. http://www.languageguide.org/im/school/eng/
16. http://www.cmszone.org/portal/content/view/615/2/
17. http://www.giuciao.com/books/
18. http://us.geocities.com/alex_stef/mylist.html
19. http://cooldogebooks.blogspot.com/2006/07/rapidshare-links.html
20. http://mocosoft.com/ebooks.html
21. http://www.spotbit.com/main/
========================================================

Nah ini berikut ini saya kopi pastekan dari http://suaraku.wordpress.com, biar kalo saya sendiri perlu atawa rekan lain juga perlu gak mesti buka link jauh-jauh (Maaf yah kang Kombor…saya copy paste ke blog ini)

Membuat blog menjadi terkenal melalui growurl

2009-12-31T05:42:00.000-08:00

Setiap blogger pasti ingin memiliki blog yang cepat dikenal oleh banyak orang, apalagi jika blog tersebut merupakan blog baru. Salah satu cara yang cepat adalah dengan memasang iklan blog anda di situs pasang iklan gratis yang banyak tersebar di internet. Tentu capek sekali jika harus mengiklankan blog kita di ribuan situs iklan gratis satu per satu. Namun kini kita tidak perlu capek2 mendaftarkannya secara manual. Ada kabar gembira buat semua pemilik blog..sekarang telah ada situs pendaftar iklan situs/blog kita secara gratis dan otomatis, yaitu melalui growurl. Melalui growurl , kita cukup sekali saja mendaftarkan alamat situs atau blog kita dan growurl akan secara otomatis mendaftarkan situs kita di lebih dari 100 situs pemasang iklan. Dan enaknya lagi, kita dapat memanfaatkan fasilitas ini secara gratis. Ingin tahu caranya?
Berikut ini saya bagi tips sukses melalui growurl untuk anda :

1. Daftar menjadi member growurl. Klik disini untuk daftar secara gratis
2. setelah anda terdaftar, silahkan anda pilih menu get free credit. Ada beberapa macam menu yang bisa anda pilih. yaitu :
a. Refer Friend to Register, anda akan mendapatkan 1 credit yang berlaku selama 2 hari tiap teman anda mendaftar growurl.
b. Put GrowUrl logo on your website front page. Anda akan mendapatkan 2 credit setiapbulan yang berlaku selama 4 hari
c. Put GrowUrl Mini Ads on your website front page. dengan memasang banner growurl,maka anda memperoleh 3 credit setiap bulan yang berlaku sampai 6 hari.

d. Register your Classified Ads / Directory / Mailing List to GrowUrl. Dengan memilih ini anda akan memperoleh 10 credit tiap bulan yang dapat berlaku sampai 20 hari
e. Write a review / article about GrowUrl in your blog. Dengan membuat review anda akan memperoleh 5 credit tiap review yang dapat berlaku selama 10 hari
Pilih salah satu menu di atas dan anda akan mendapatkan link atau kode yang bisa anda tampilkan di blog / situs anda. Jika anda memilih write a review, segeralah membuat posting tentang growurl dan isikan link posting anda di form yang telah disediakan. Setelah itu anda hanya tinggal menunggu dan rajin mengecek apakah credit anda sudah masuk atau belum.
Jika credit anda sudah masuk…daftarkan segera blog / situs anda. Maka secara otomatis growurl akan mendaftarkannya di ratusan situs pasang iklan, secara otomatis,gratis dan instan. Kemudian anda hanya tinggal melihat perubahan traffic anda. Saya yakin traffic anda akan meningkat jika anda melakukan tips2 yang ada di atas. mudah bukan??
klik disini jika ingin menjadi member growurl.
Menjadi terkenal tidaklah sulit, tapi mempertahankannya..perlu perjuangan. Tetap fokus pada content/posting yang berkualitas. Keep blogging.

CIPTAKAN JUTAAN TRAFFIC BLOG ANDA SECARA MUDAH !

2009-12-19T08:41:00.000-08:00

Ada kata-kata bijak yang mengatakan "Kejujuran adalah The Best Policy (Kejujuran adalah politik / strategi terbaik)", mari kita buktikan .... Jika konsep keadilan di sini kita dapat digunakan untuk menghasilkan lalu lintas dan popularitas yang sangat besar dari sebuah metode rumit yang ahli atau webmaster pakar SEO ..? ...

Saya percaya kita dapat dari Anda menerapkan metode ini dengan benar ..., jika ini diterapkan ke web / blog sehingga Anda berdasarkan:

~ Blog Anda akan kewalahan dengan lalu lintas pengunjung yang luar biasa hari demi hari, tanpa anda harus repot-repot memikirkan SEO atau capek-capek untuk promosi keberbagai tempat di dunia online.
~ Blog Anda juga akan kebanjiran backlink secara signifikan dari hari ke hari, tanpa repot-repot berburu link keberbagai tempat di dunia Internet.

Hal yang harus Anda lakukan adalah mengikuti langkah-langkah berikut:
1. Tetap posting artikel seperti posting saya ini, atau copy-paste artikel ini. Kemudian beri judul di akan Anda (karena itu adalah SEO untuk web / blog Anda sendiri).

2. Anda hanya cukup menaruh Link di bawah ini untuk artikel yang Anda sebutkan dalam blog / web.

1. Friendster.com
2. Google.com
3. Bisnis Online
4. Panduan belajar Wordpress
5. Asli Softare
6. Lirik Musik Indo
7. Asing Music Lyrics
8. Free Templates
9. Jogja-Blogger
10. Tutorial Blogging | Internet Bisnis Online
11. pVidia Blog
12. Stop Dreaming Start Action (Jonru)
13. Bisnis di Internet
14. Blogging-Surfer
15. Perguruan Silat Pusaka Raga Kencana Indonesia

Peraturan

1. Sebelum anda menaruh mereka di komoditi Link ke posting web / blog anda, silahkan hapus link nomor 1, maka link no 1 hilang dari daftar link dan setiap link Anda meningkatkan tingkat 1. Yang telah Nomor 2 naik menjadi Nomor 1, yang No 3 sampai No 2, yang No 4 sampai No 3 dan seterusnya. Setelah itu masukkan link anda di urutan bawah (No 15).

2. Ingat! Jangan Ubah urutan daftar link
Jika setiap blogger yang berpartisipasi dalam metode ini berhasil dalam rangkap oleh blogger lain yang akan bergabung, jika hanya 5 blogger yang bergabung dengan Backlink yang Anda dapat:

Bila posisi Anda 15, jumlah backlink = 1
Posisi 14, Nomor backlink = 5
Posisi 13, Jumlah backlink = 25
Posisi 12, Jumlah backlink = 125
Posisi 11, Jumlah backlink = 625
Posisi 10, Jumlah backlink = 3.125
Posisi 9, Jumlah backlink = 15.625
Posisi 8, Jumlah backlink = 78.125
Posisi 7, Jumlah backlink = 390.625
Posisi 6, Jumlah backlink = 1.953.125
Posisi 5, Jumlah backlink = 9.765.625
Posisi 4, Jumlah backlink = 48.828.125
Posisi 3, Jumlah backlink = 244.140.625
Posisi 2, Jumlah backlink = 1.220.703.125
Posisi 1, Jumlah backlink = 6.103.515.625

YA LEBIH DARI 6 MILIAR BACKLINK !!!

Dan semua kata kunci yang Anda inginkan, bayangkan jika ini bisa berjalan dengan sempurna maka Anda akan mendapatkan link eksternal 6103515625 dari berbagai blog yang Anda tidak akan pernah membayangkan sebelumnya. Belum lagi jika ada pengunjung ke blog Anda dari Link List yang disebutkan di atas maka Anda akan secara otomatis mendapatkan lalu lintas ke web / blog Anda juga.

Ingat! Aturan permainan, Anda harus mulai dari dasar urutan (No. 15), sehingga hasil Anda dapat Maksimum backlink. Jangan salahkan aku jika Anda tidak mengikuti metode ini dengan benar dan link Anda tiba-tiba berada di urutan No 1 dan menghilang di daftar link. Jadi mulai urutan adalah di bagian bawah (No 15).

Dapatkah Anda melakukan sesuatu yang tidak adil atau tidak jujur metode untuk sabotase ini, mari kita katakan "menghilangkan semua link asal" dan isi dari link web / blog Anda sendiri ...? Dapat, dan metode ini tidak maksimal. Kejujuran adalah strategi / kebijakan terbaik ... .. Tapi aku yakin bahwa kita semua tidak ingin menjatuhkan kredibilitas diri sendiri dengan melakukan seperti itu.

OK SELAMAT MENCOBA!

Budaya Pencak Silat Indonesia

2009-11-16T06:56:00.001-08:00

Pencak Silat sebagai bagian dari kebudayaan bangsa Indonesia berkembang sejalan dengan sejarah masyarakat Indonesia. Dengan aneka ragam situasi geografis dan etnologis serta perkembangan zaman yang dialami oleh bangsa Indonesia, Pencak Silat dibentuk oleh situasi dan kondisinya. Kini Pencak Silat kita kenal dengan wujud dan corak yang beraneka ragam, namun mempunyai aspek-aspek yang sama.

Pencak Silat merupakan unsur-unsur kepribadian bangsa Indonesia yang dimiliki dari hasil budi daya yang turun temurun. Sampai saat ini belum ada naskah atau himpunan mengenai sejarah pembelaan diri bangsa Indonesia yang disusun secara alamiah dan dapat dipertanggung jawabkan serta menjadi sumber bagi pengembangan yang lebih teratur. Hanya secara turun temurun dan bersifat pribadi atau kelompok latar belakang dan sejarah pembelaan diri inti dituturkan.

Perkembangan pada Zaman Sebelum Penjajahan Belanda

Tata pembelaan diri di zaman tersebut yang terutama didasarkan kepada kemampuan pribadi yang tinggi, merupakan dasar dari sistem pembelaan diri, baik dalam menghadapi perjuangan hidup maupun dalam pembelaan berkelompok. Para ahli pembelaan diri dan pendekar mendapat tempat yang tinggi di masyarakat. Begitu pula para empu yang membuat senjata pribadi yagn ampuh seperti keris, tombak dan senjata khusus.

Perkembangan Pencak Silat pada Zaman Penjajahan Belanda

Pemerintah Belandan tidak memberi kesempatan perkembangan Pencak Silat atau pembelaan diri Nasional, karena dipandang berbahaya terhadap kelangsungan penjajahannya. Larangan berlatih bela diri diadakan bahkan larangan untuk berkumpul dan berkelompok. Sehingga perkembangan kehidupan Pencak Silat atau pembelaan diri bangsa Indonesia yang dulu berakar kuat menjadi kehilangan pijakan kehidupannya. Hanya dengan sembunyi-sembunyi dan oleh kelompok-kelompok kecil Pencak Silat dipertahankan.

Perkembangan Pencak Silat pada Pendudukan Jepang

Politik Jepang terhadap bangsa yang diduduki berlainan dengan politik Belanda. Terhadap Pencak Silat sebagai ilmu Nasional didorong dan dikembangkan untuk kepentingan Jepang sendiri, dengan mengobarkan semangat pertahanan menghadapi sekutu. Di mana-mana atas anjuran Shimitsu diadakan pemusatan tenaga aliran Pencak Silat. Di seluruh Jawa serentak didirkan gerakan Pencak Silat yang diatur oleh Pemerintah.

Di Jakarta pada waktu itu telah diciptakan oleh para pembina Pencak Silat suatu olahraga berdasarkan Pencak Silat, yang diusulkan untuk dipakai sebagai gerakan olahraga pada tiap-tiap pagi di sekolah-sekolah. Usul itu ditolak oleh Shimitsu karena khawatir akan mendesak Taysho, Jepang.

Perkembangan Pencak Silat pada Zaman Kemerdekaan

Walaupun di masa penjajahan Belanda Pencak Silat tidak diberikan tempat untuk berkembang, tetapi masih banyak para pemuda yang mempelajari dan mendalami melalui guru-guru Pencak Silat, atau secara turun-temurun di lingkungan keluarga. Jiwa dan semangat kebangkitan nasional semenjak Budi Utomo didirikan mencari unsur-unsur warisan budaya yang dapat dikembangkan sebagai identitas Nasional. Melalui Panitia Persiapan Persatuan Pencak Silat Indonesia maka pada tanggal 18 Mei 1948 di Surakarta terbentuklah Ikatan Pencak Silat Seluruh Indonesia (IPSI) yang diketuai oleh Mr. Wongsonegoro.

Program utama disamping mempersatukan aliran-aliran dan kalangan Pencak Silat di seluruh Indonesia, IPSI mengajukan program kepada Pemerintah untuk memasukan pelajaran Pencak Silat di sekolah-sekolah. Usaha yang telah dirintis pada periode permulaan kepengurusan di tahun lima puluhan, yang kemudian kurang mendapat perhatian, mulai dirintis dengan diadakannya suatu Seminar Pencak Silat oleh Pemerintah pada tahun 1973 di Tugu, Bogor. Dalam Seminar ini pulalah dilakukan pengukuhan istilah bagi seni pembelaan diri bagnsa Indonesia dengan nama “Pencak Silat” yang merupakan kata majemuk.

Di masa lalu tidak semua daerah di Indonesia menggunakan istilah Pencak Silat. Di beberapa daerah di jawa lazimnya digunakan nama Pencak sedangkan di Sumatera orang menyebut Silat. Sedang kata pencak sendiri dapat mempunyai arti khusus begitu juga dengan kata silat.

Pencak, dapat mempunyai pengertian gerak dasar bela diri, yang terikat pada peraturan dan digunakan dalam belajar, latihan dan pertunjukan.

Silat, mempunyai pengertian gerak bela diri yang sempurna, yang bersumber pada kerohanian yang suci murni, guna keselamatan diri atau kesejahteraan bersama, menghindarkan diri/manusia dari bela diri atau bencana.

Dewasa ini istilah pencak silat mengandung unsur-unsur olahraga, seni, bela diri dan kebatinan. Definisi pencak silat selengkapnya yang pernah dibuat PB. IPSI bersama BAKIN tahun 1975 adalah sebagai berikut :

“Pencak Silat adalah hasil budaya manusia Indonesia untuk membela/mempertahankan eksistensi (kemandirian) dan integritasnya (manunggalnya) terhadap lingkungan hidup/alam sekitarnya untuk mencapai keselarasan hidup guna meningkatkan iman dan taqwa kepada Tuhan Yang Maha Esa.”

Ani Nurdwiyanti adalah kontributor swaberita dan dapat dihubungi di ani.nurdwiyanti@swaberita.com

(Sumber: http://www.swaberita.com/2008/07/31/nusantara/budaya-pencak-silat-indonesia.html)

Pencak Silat: Exotic Traditional Martial Arts

2009-11-09T04:58:00.001-08:00

Pencak Silat: Exotic Traditional Martial Arts

The old documentation of pencak can be found in relief of Borobudur and Prambanan Temple, in Mid Java, Indonesia. In the relief of both temples, there are pictures of people who fight by using exotic fighting styles.

Pencak Silat is Indonesian traditional martial art. According to babad (ancient Javanese manuscript), embryo of Pencak Silat was brought to Java Island by Prince Aji Shaka from Majethi Island. Traditional Javanese society believes that Aji Shaka was their ancestor and the first king of the Javanese. The old documentation of pencak can be found in relief of Borobudur and Prambanan Temple, in Mid Java, Indonesia. In the relief of both temples, there are pictures of people who fight by using exotic fighting styles.

According to Kamus Besar Bahasa Indonesia (Indonesian Language Dictionary), published by Balai Pustaka, pencak silat is an art to protect and defend oneself and to attack, with or without weapons. Definition Pencak in traditional Javanese style is an action of Olah Cipta (art of mind power), Olah Rasa (art of feeling) and Olah Karsa (art of will) for defense purpose. To master Olah Cipta, Olah Rasa and Olah Karsa, one must have a pure heart. This pure heart can be realized by understanding one self. This self understanding means the process to understand their mind, body and spirit. To achieve self-understanding, one should do introspection and contemplation to see into the deepest part within his heart and living elements which are called Sedulur Papat Lima Pancer (four elemental angels/ brothers and one core spirit). Sedulur Papat Lima Pancer elements consist of earth, water, fire, wind and the spirit. In ancient time in Java, pencak silat had some various name, e.g.: Jaya Kawijayan ( a figthing art of winning) and Olah Kanuragan (the art of body).

What is Silat?

2009-11-09T04:51:00.001-08:00

What is Silat?

Silat, sometimes also called Pencak silat, panchak, or montjak, generally refers to Martial Arts styles that originate from the Malay. These people can be found spread throughout Southeastern Asia, more specifically around Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, Brunei, and the Philippines.

Silat isn't just one style but is used to describe anywhere on up to a hundred different styles, or what they call alirans, and schools.

As with many Martial Arts styles, learning silat is not just about fighting. While learning Silat, one learns the mental or spiritual aspects of life, self-defense, the fighting techniques, and the culture of the people the art originated from. For more traditional schools, this includes having a uniform that is based off the Malaysia culture, rather than the Japanese or Chinese one that most people see in Martial Arts. In addition, the schools will have their own "dance", which is composed of movements from their particular style. It is a way to distinguish one style of silat from another.

Silat has a strong influence of learning from the environment. Many of the movements will reflect animals that you will find in nature moreso than some of the other Martial Arts. One of the most important animals to them was the tiger, being seen by the culture as a symbol of importance. Thus, one will find the movements in Silat to be explosive and aggressive bursts of attacks.

In ancient times, Silat was as much a part of their lives as any other form of education and prepared young men for adulthood. Because of this, there is a strong emphasis in this art on self-defense. This emphasis is what has made Silat spread through Europe and now the United States.

When watching a Silat practioner, one will notice that the artist starts at a much lower stance than most other Martial Arts. In many forms, the practioner will actually go down on one or both knees to gain the advantage. Each step will not only move the fighter but also turn the angle of their body, thus constantly changing and protecting different zones from their attacker.

Silat's growing popularity has brought forward several forms within the Western world based on this system. The more known and unique examples of these emphasis the use of small knives, which is one of many weapons seen in a silat arsenal.

The Esoteric Spiritual Core

2009-11-09T04:49:00.000-08:00

The Esoteric Spiritual Core

No system of traditional Silat is complete without strong spiritual training. Known as "Kebatinan" or "ilmu," it is considered very important so that the student may be prepared for the violence and consequences of real combat. Some confuse the spiritual aspect of Silat with the common spectacle of street magicians as evidence of spiritual power and mastery. These spectacle include stunts such as eating razor blades and crushed glass, putting needles through different parts of the body, lying on beads of nails, etc., and are used to impress the uneducated and to justify the art's potency. However, true spiritual training is difficult work on the inner self, it is the search for those truths which lead to humility and a reverence for life. There is no room for mysterious tricks and mystical illusions in real Silat. If a student learns to depend on mysticism he doesn't understand, then he learns to depend on something outside himself, and to depend on something outside of himself is to weaken his own nature.

True spiritual Silat strengthens the individual will and knowledge so he can rely on himself. Emphasis on mystification usually indicates the absence of true knowledge and understanding. As Pendekar Paul Dethouars, of the Serak system says, "The truth of combat is hard enough to understand, so why mystify and create more obstacles to it?"

One aspect that is surrounded with the mystical is the use of amulets, prayers and rituals designed to induce invulnerability and protection for the student should he find himself in danger and be forced to use his skills. These methods are unique to each teacher and style of Silat, and are private and never exposed publicly. Amulets and prayers in all the styles have a common function of a physical reminder of the student's connection to the real mystery, the Creator, the Infinite, the Cosmos. This physical reminder can also help reinforce the particular belief system he has been taught. For example, if he is wearing an amulet of tiger's stone, or the tooth of a tiger, then that is a physical reminder that when he uses his Silat he becomes like a tiger in his attitude and takes on the fighting attributes of a tiger. Tenacity, great courage, daring ferocity becomes his mental state.

All methods of Silat involve the understanding of a particular belief system, particular to the style and the master teaching that style. The belief system may be based on the teacher's own religious background and he may use that as a basis for his philosophical teachings, morality and ethics, along with his personal experiences of life. If the teacher's religious background is Hindu, like many teachers on the island of Bali in Indonesia, then the philosophy and spirituality of his system will reflect that religious view. Many Silat teachers are Muslim, so their spiritual system reflects the tenets of Islam. More recently, with the arrival of Europeans in Southeast Asia, some teachers have embraced Christianity, so their philosophical and spiritual teaching reflect Christian ideals. This is very common among the Filipino Escrimadors of the central and northern Philippines where Catholicism is very strong. Some teachers will not accept a student into the higher echelons of their spiritual teachings unless the student embrace his teacher's religion. Other Silat masters are more tolerant and liberal using other criteria to judge a student's character. The end result of all systems regardless of religious orientation is a belief system for the student, that produces the heart of courage, confidence, and the will to fight on the side of truth and justice. This is a tremendous base and back up for the Fighting techniques he has learned.

Not all of the philosophical teachings of Silat systems is based on a particular religious point of view. The physical techniques of Silat also provide for the study of the esoteric philosophy of Silat. Much of the physical truth of traditional Silat leads to the development of a philosophy of life. The parallels between the physical concepts and the mental-spiritual concepts are important for the study of life.

Some examples of this would be that just as the student works hard to refine his physical technique, so he works hard to purify his character strengths and weaknesses, his relationships with others and his relationship to the Creator. Just as he devotes himself to the study of the locks, take downs, sweeps, and weapons, so he devotes himself to the review and examination of his own life, i.e., in all areas; mental, spiritual, career, financial, social, family, physical and spiritual. The old timers say they can tell a lot about a person just by how he practices his Silat. If he hurries through his solo exercises all the time, then he is probably going to hurry through his work in life, leading to sloppiness and poor results. The teachers of traditional Silat are ever vigilant! Every detail is important! Every effort is a step forward! When a sufficient number of steps have been taken, success or achievement is the result. The student may have finished the curriculum and may have known it for a long time, but only when he begins to THINK, LIVE, and above all FEEL, that which is taught him, then and only then will he KNOW the real contents of the lessons he has been taught even though he may have physically and intellectually known the facts of the systems for years. The lessons and knowledge is of value only when it is actually applied. As progress and development proceed, the student reaches down within himself and gradually comes into consciousness of this understanding. Learning the traditional Silat, is never easy, if it was it couldn't be worthwhile. Just as in life, things that one had to work very hard for are valued and appreciated. Things that come easy are never valued for long.

There is an old saying among Silat people that goes, "You do not choose Silat, Silat chooses you!" By the nature of the difficult work necessary to master the art, the art itself selects its worthy initiates and ultimately transforms them.

The Use of Weapons

2009-11-09T04:46:00.001-08:00

The Use of Weapons

Of course, the classical study of Pentjak Silat demands that the trainee learn to wield the traditional weapons such as the knife, the stick, the staff, the tjabang (branch), the short sword, and the sarong (cloth) or rope.

As Draeger notes, "No Pentjak Silat system is combatively idealistic, so foolish, or so naïve as to require this exclusive use of empty hand tactics for solving all combative situations."

The use of these weapons and objects are based on the same technical rationale as the empty hand curriculum of djurus (hand movement) and Langkahs (footwork). In this way, objects from his daily surroundings such as pens, combs, drinking receptacles, shoes, belts and eating utensils, even a salt shaker can be brought into play to enhance a particular technique. In self-defense Silat, the environment is to be used when possible if time permits, because the assailant, even if empty-handed may be concealing a weapon of his own. His moves must be treated extra carefully.

With this unifying, coherent system firmly planted in place in the trainee's mind, he can substitute and transfer the use of weapons to the techniques he already knows empty-handed. His skill is already built in from his empty hand training. This is unlike Filipino methods that teach weapons use first and empty hand derivations second.

The unifying principles of Silat are used to help the trainee fight his fight without being confused about what he should do next. These unifying principles are based on the physics of efficiency of technique and economy of motion, and are kept as secrets of the systems. The unifying principles help the trainee to understand the endless variations of empty hand techniques. There are so many in fact that it is impossible to name them all. They all stem from the root techniques of the empty hand curriculum and are recognized by "insiders" as such. Silat practitioners make use of all parts of the body for locking, joint breaking or as striking weapons. Substituting a shoulder for an elbow, for example, one can produce the same joint / lock conceptually.

The various hand formations similar to the crane beak, tiger claw, eagle claw, panther fist, like those used in Kung Fu can be adapted in the moment, to the various techniques. The trainee, at some point in his study designated by the master, learns the vulnerable points of the body to be exploited with the techniques he has already learned. Often times it is a matter of reviewing the techniques already known and adding this knowledge as a finishing touch. Like a road map, the routes are already known and in place, the teacher just makes the student aware of a few more stops and points can be hit, pinched, torn or squeezed and add a rich dimension to the techniques already mastered by the practitioner. They are especially useful against larger assailants who need prodding and convincing in order to make a technique work or escaping holds and locks that the practitioner has somehow found himself caught in.

Fighting Multiple Opponents

2009-11-09T04:43:00.000-08:00

Fighting Multiple Opponents

All serious styles of Pentjak Silat teach the student to consider multiple opponents. The student maintains the awareness of these multiple assailants while participating in solo training exercises or with a partner. Many styles consider a minimum of three enemies and build up to exercises involving five to seven enemies. A great deal of Silat technique is a mix of grappling and hitting. The grappling is a "loose" type of grappling where the moves are used for take downs, off-balancing sweeps, and tying the opponent up momentarily. Even in the intricate and deadly holds of the Buah Kunchi of Malaysian Bersilat, the trainee can still quickly dissolve the hold in order to engage another assailant. Being able to disengage from one person in order to move to another is essential in fighting multiple opponents. The trainee is not so committed to applying body pressure and leverage where he cannot make an immediate escape. Hitting is used to tenderize and soften up the assailant before going into these intricate and complex techniques. This grappling / hitting mix gives the trainee flexibility and adaptability to meet the changing situation, whatever it is, that he finds thrust upon him.

As the practitioner finishes off his assailant with a take down and follow-up, he immediately crouches, covers, and assumes the "on guard" stance and posture combinations of his particular style, because another attacker may be on his way in. The assailant that he just took down may not be finished after all. He may have been able to take all that punishment or as in many styles of Silat, he may be feigning his hurt condition, hoping the student drops his defenses and he can surprise re-attack. It is important to take the assailant seriously at all times; that he is always dangerous even when down and especially when practicing in order to build this attitude so it is a habit. This cautionary awareness has resulted in the overkill principle, which seems to be prevalent in all types of Southeast Asian self-defense. This being the repeated use of follow-up techniques after the assailant has been thought to already have been taken out. Experience tells Silat people that one or two strikes or breaks seldom finish the job at hand, therefore, for safety purposes, a variety of backups are built into the trainee's reflexes. Each backup technique has its own back up!

Self-Defense Verses Sport ñ The Old verses the New

2009-11-09T04:40:00.001-08:00

Self-Defense Verses Sport ñ The Old verses the New

There is a movement today where the various governments in Southeast Asia are trying to organize Pentjak Silat on national and regional levels as a sport; with competitions, tournaments and in the educational system with various standards in order to collectively regulate the great diversity of styles. However, according to the traditionalists, the goal of Pentjak Silat is always self-defense and not physical education or sport. The development and transition of Silat, an art designed for self-defense to one for sporting and physical education applications is a favorite subject among the old veterans and masters of Silat. Many of these masters refuse to participate in the "modernizing" of their art, preferring to stay to themselves teaching in small groups in the traditional manner. They feel that if Silat is developed as a sport, its combative vitality and values will be compromised and eventually weaken the effectiveness of it as a fighting art. This view certainly has merit. With these combative aspects watering away, certain protective techniques deemed vital such as guarding the groin, throat, eyes, and joints are eliminated and considered unnecessary to practice, as the rules of the sport do not permit an attack to those targets. How you practice is how you will fight. Old style Silat develops reflex habits that allow the practitioner to automatically counterattack to the assailant's vital areas while remaining keenly aware of his own vulnerability.

In sport Silat, this awareness is lost, resulting on a dangerous dependency of a deficient fighting art no longer designed for real self-defense. The traditionalists also believe that sport Silat will be influenced by tournament success. Schools will develop and train with the objective of winning these tournaments and a "tournament style" of Silat will result, with special techniques designed only for the objective of winning according to the rules. These new creations have nothing to do with real self-defense.

Sportive combat also presents another problem of values. Traditional Silat is mostly defensive in attitude and physical expression. Rarely will the Silat man attack first. The practitioner prefers to wait for the attack before he moves into action. The values of sport are different because the student is training to attack to score points, so he develops the attitude of attack and not the attitude of counterattack from defensive posturing. Training to be a sportsman, develops sportsman-like thinking such as "fair play," and the "you can't win 'em all" idea of being a "good sport about losing." A Silat man has everything to lose because his personal safety, maybe even his life are on the line. He cannot be a good loser. The values of the old fashioned Silat is about protecting your life at all costs, doing whatever is necessary to survive because the only reason you are fighting is to protect your life or the lives of your loved ones. This is why the student is taught to think of his training partner as an "assailant" attempting to take his life. If the student were to think of the assailant as an opponent, then it would negate the meaning of the art, the spirit of combat of actual fighting. In Pentjak Silat training, students are taught to also consider the climate, clothing being worn, time of day and night and the terrain, upon which they are fighting. These all combine to determine the tactics used and the emotional atmosphere of the fight.

The emphasis in physical education and sport on aesthetics and not function is also why in the newer sport versions of Silat, there is an increasing amount of "showmanship" and gymnastics. What looks flashy and pleasing to the eye may or may not have anything to do with combative function. These useless moves added for entertainment value eat away into the fabric of combative Pentjak Silat and begin weakening its structure much like termites over time eating away at the frame of the house. The old folks believe that the practice of traditional Pentjak Silat has all the personal skill and artistry needed without having to weaken it by making it into a sport or an exhibition art.

The Devastating Art Of Pentjak Silat

2009-11-09T04:22:00.000-08:00

The Devastating Art Of Pentjak Silat

The world's largest archipelago stretches like a huge scimitar from Malaysia to New G uinea comprised of more than 13,000 islands and is home to a deadly fighting art known as "Silat", or "Pentjak Silat."

In Malaysia, there are approximately 500 styles. In Indonesia there are perhaps 200 styles with many styles preferring not to be recognized by their respective governments. Accordingly, there may be an incalculable number of styles being practiced today. Archaeological evidence reveals that by the sixth century A.D. formalized combative systems were being practiced in the area of Sumatra and the Malay peninsula. Two kingdoms, the Srivijaya in Sumatra from the 7th to the 14th century and the Majapahit in Java from the 13th to 16th centuries made good use of these fighting skills and were able to extend their rule across much of what is now Indonesia, Malaysia and Singapore. The Dutch arrived in the seventeenth century and controlled the spice trade up until the early 20th century, with brief periods of the English and Portuguese attempting unsuccessfully to gain a lasting foothold in Indonesia. During this period of Dutch rule. "Silat," or "Pentjak Silat" (as it is known in Indonesia today) was practiced undergound until the country gained its independence in 1949.

With the crisscrossing of wars, trade and immigration of various cultures across this region since the 6th century, the effect on present day Pentjak Silat is evident. These influences can be seen such as Nepalese music, Hindu weapons such as the trisula [forked truncheon], Indian grappling styles, Siamese costumes, Arabian weapons Chinese weapons and fighting methods. Pentjak Silat still plays an important role in the lives of thousands of people across the Malay world with the rural village dwellers practicing and making it part of their daily routines.

The word "Pentjak" means; the body movements used in the training method and the word "Silat" means; the application of those movements or the actual "fight." Each style of Pentjak Silat has its own formal curriculum, history and traditions, some shrouded in secrecy and some open to the public. "Silat Pulut" is a method that is openly displayed to the public, seen at public ceremonies such as weddings. "Pulut" means glutinous rice, the sticky kind often eaten at Malay parties and wedding receptions. Thus, this "Rice Cake Silat" is characterized by flashy, aesthetically beautiful moves that have very little to do with real self-defense. Silat Buah is rarely shown in public. Buah means "fruit," implying that part of Silat which is useful. It is the applications or techniques for self-defense. Many systems inter-relate, function and integrate as a whole. Every move, physical or mental is consistent with a certain belief system and fighting rationale, making it a devastating self-defense system.

There is no overall standard for Pentjak Silat. Each style has its own particular movement patterns, specially designed techniques and tactical rationale. However, although all styles use hand and foot motions, the percentage of use of either one depends on the style and the tactics being used. A quite remarkable tactic is the one used by the Harimau style from Sumatra. In this method, the practitioner's movement pattern resembles the antics of a tiger (the name of Harimau), with heavy emphasis on staying close to the ground using crouching, lying, sitting and semi-squat positions. The leg strength and flexibility required is impressive and the Harimau stylist can use his hands like extra feet or his feet like extra hands. He can start the fight from the ground position or will invite his opponent into a trap then take him to the ground. Other types of Sumatran Silat are Menangkabau, Podang, Sterlak, Lintau and Kumango. On the other hand, many Javanese styles use a percentage weighting that is more balanced between hand and legwork. Many Javanese styles require the practitioner to move in close against the enemy in an upright position, then use various hand and foot moves to express the techniques. Styles such as Tjimande Serak, Tjikalong and Tjigrik, all demonstrate this fact.

The names of style can be traced to many diverse origins. Styles are named after a geographical area, city or district, after an animal, after a spiritual or combative principle, after a person, or after a physical action. For example, there is a style called "Undukaym Silat" which takes its name after the footwork actions that mimic those of a hen scratching the ground. Seitia Hati meaning "faithful heart" is named to represent a spiritual principle. Mustika Kwitang is named after the Kwitang district in the city of Jakarta. Serak is named after the person who founded the style. Menangkebau Silat is named after an ethnic group, the Menankabau people. Sterlak Silat is name after a quality and means "to attack with strength." The variety and diverseness of names is not limited to any one style.

Finding good teachers that can pass on the knowledge is not easy. Traditional Pentjak Silat is highly clandestine and secretive. Teachers never compete for students and usually keep to themselves with their small groups. To find a Silat master is usually always by introduction through a family member or friend. The acceptance process is often very selective and the probation period is strict. Each teacher has his own particular criteria he uses to evaluate a prospective student that is often based on the studentís character; specifically his temperament and judgment, his demeanor (his outward behavior, his manner towards others) and his morality and ethics. The student's willingness to learn is also of great importance because the training will be severe. In many styles, the student, once accepted is required to take an oath to the style.

The probation period serves as a screening time so that the teacher may directly observe the behavior of the student and draw a conclusion of his sincerity. The instruction is almost always one on one, supervised directly by the master, so that the ability and morality of the student can be distinguished clearly. The teacher will reject anyone whose attitude or personality is deemed as unworthy. Discipline is harsh and violations often result in dismissal of the student. Learning the "old way" is not an easy thing to do and consequently the number of people practicing is very small. It is not meant to be open for everyone. Such a relationship and training regime is regarded as sanctified and is taken with the utmost seriousness by all involved.