Expert: Alex Wilding - 4/17/2009

Question
Hello Alex!
There is one sentence in the passage below I would like to ask you about, namely: "A TIGER HAS SUCH CLARITY AND BEARING WHEN FACING AN ENEMY BECAUSE HE KNOWS ONLY “TIGER” ENERGY AND HAS NO SELF-CONSCIOUSNESS OR DOUBT."

This sentence comes from a book about martial arts and I'm wondering what the author meant by "tiger" energy? To me it's normal that a tiger has got a tiger energy and a human has got a human energy, so I'm not sure I understand what he tried to say by that?

Also: Do you think that by "self-consciousness" he means "self-awareness"? If so, I'm not sure he's right because I read here http://www.strato.net/~crvny/sa03002.htm that animals have got self-awareness.

Anyways, here's the passage:

Many animals show a distinct and clear inner strength and spirit-not of an egoic or a self-conscious nature, but a clear and strong force of being-which allows tremendous physical tenacity. I'm sure the originators of the arts based on animals were as interested in the minds and spirits of these animals as they were in the physical aspects.THESE ANIMALS SHOW EXCEEDINGLY STRONG INNER WILL AND CLARITY, WITH NO EGO-FEAR (AS WE KNOW IT) TO BLOCK TENACITY; AND NO CONFUSION DUE TO REASON’S FAILURE TO CONTROL THE WORLD. ALSO THEY HAVE NO CONCEPT OF THEMSELVES OR THEIR MANIFESTATION THAT IS NOT TRUE, ACCURATE, AND TO THE POINT. NO SEPARATION IN THOUGHT-OF-THEMSELVES AND WHAT THEY ARE! NOTHING HIDDEN.
To know yourself you must be conscious of your own weakness, then it is no longer a weakness, FOR IT IS ONLY MIND AND CANNOT BE DESTROYED! If you present it fully to your opponent it becomes a particular form of 'inner' strength. If it is not hidden, it will not turn into fear. However, it is frightening to another to see someone present his weakness (fear) outright; and because you are conscious of what it is, you need not fight its existence or appearance.THIS ALLOWS YOU TO STAND OPEN AND FREE OF CONFUSION OR DOUBT, AND EXPERIENCE YOUR VERY PRESENCE – AND THIS IS POWER!
To know your opponent is to 'see' this weakness and deepest fear. To see through to what he wants to keep hidden from the world and himself is to destroy him before the fight begins!
To "make the hair stand on your body like a cat" is not to tense or lose control, but to allow the dynamic energy of the situation to be felt and channeled up your spine and through your body.A TIGER HAS SUCH CLARITY AND BEARING WHEN FACING AN ENEMY BECAUSE HE KNOWS ONLY “TIGER” ENERGY AND HAS NO SELF-CONSCIOUSNESS OR DOUBT, AND WILL MEET THE SITUATION WITHOUT CONFUSION. What we see in the directness and power of animals comes from their very Being. This openness and directness of Being that is created by having nothing hidden and little ego is worth studying and adopting."

Thank you!!!

Answer
Hi Luke,
There is not much I can say about this. There may perhaps be some good advice in the passages you quote, if you can find it, but it is not particularly Buddhist. It's probably not particularly "un-Buddhist" either.
I would certainly think you are right to doubt that the writer means "self awareness" when he or she says "self consciousness". I think "self-consciousness" often means an excessive, inappropriate and fearful degree of thinking about ourselves and how we appear, as when a shy person has to speak in public or perform on stage. But again, I don't think that's a particularly Buddhist or un-Buddhist thing.
I hope that is a bit of help - I know it can't be more!