The Handshake versus the Salute

As we all know, the time we are currently living in is an age rife with bacteria, microbes, germs, viruses, parasites and mold like never before. There are black fungus molds that can kill a human. There exist harmful parasites that kill the host (think chagas disease). Aand of course EBOLA! It is Ebola that is currently devastating the planet and by tomorrow there could be another one catching hold. Think Marburg Virus or man made bio-agent of war. You might say that each and every one of us are now (metaphorically speaking) "in the cross-hairs". Not a good place to be and we need to step off the "X", get outta the dead zone and fight back.

It starts simple and goes forward from that simple premise. In this case we must ditch the good old fashioned manly handshake. The handshake is a custom of the western nations. It's quite common in America, even the President himself shakes hundreds of hands on a regular basis. And in this environment of plague and disease that shit has to stop, cease and desist! I'm sure a curt nod would do just as good. In that manner you can dodge the deadly implications that physical contact with another brings with it. How we change what others think, feel, believe and do is part of our work.

In past times throughout the history of the world the act of touching or grabbing another person has been frowned upon. There are good reasons for this and we shall address them in a moment. Handshakes, hugging and kissing are NOT customs which originate from either diseased societies nor armed societies. In such conditions of contagious disease it is a deadly move to be in contact with another person, much like the Ebola scare of recent times. In the case of an armed society it is also a deadly mistake to allow another to touch you, such are the makings of an ambush. Personally I have always preferred other kinds of greeting rituals besides the handshake since I was a child. After martial arts training came into my life I cared even less for it.

It was in the martial arts I learned to greet through bowing. Later it was the salute that became my hello and goodbye. In fact throughout my life I have studied the many greetings and salutations of many lands. In this study I have discovered the habits of a plague society and those of the armed society are quite similar and both based upon sound logic and thought. We need to return to these older ways. In this manner we as common men can return to proper methods of living our lives in accord with the times and threats we face. It is the old "adapt or die" thing again my friend. Never a truer saying was invented! 

About the venerable bow of the far east and of the western kingdoms. Bowing is a graceful mannerism when done right. Yes, at times it is also a sign of subservience. But generally the bow is a benign movement that is non-threatening in any language. It is done face-on to the subject, legs together and the hands are held to the sides of the body in plain sight. 
The eyes can either be averted or kept ahead when bowing to another person. 

In the west the bow can be seen in the form of the curtsey. This type of bow was used by both sexes in times past. There were particular curtsey's that were done when the sword was drawn. The curtsey is done with one leg thrown back whereas the traditional bow of Japan in which the legs are kept together. The curtsey can be applied with either no eye contact or eyes-on clear through. It was common for those from the Germanic lines to click their heels together and offer up a short snappy demi-bow upon meeting a another individual for the first time. (adjusts monocle). 

The Salute is more war-like, military type of greeting in many instances. The salute comes in all shapes and sizes. The Japanese arts bow, most Chinese Kung Fu arts salute instead of bowing. Bows are simple actions. Salutes can be quite complicated and ritualistic at times. Some salutes are actually prayer rituals. In these cases one rises up and down reaching skyward and then dropping down to all fours to touch the earth, all the while calling to the creator for guidance and care. I've learned the 12 part Kali salute, the Salute of Silat and the sky and earth ritual of the Indian. All similar and all correct in their own way. Even yoga has the asana (calisthetic pose) called "salute to the sun". Yes, salutes and bowing, crouching courtsey's and whirling dervishes have been around for centuries! Not so with the modern (less reality based) handshake!

Most military outfits use the salute as part of their operational structure, nearly all of us remember the Klingon salute from Star Trek, the "heil fueher" salute of the Nazi has stuck in our collective heads too, fencers salute prior to a bout, we give 21 gun salutes at burials and the list goes on and on.

The salute is the secret survival passmove of the winner in many instances. The salute is the last chance, once given there is no going back. Similarly the bow is the solemn resolve backed with intent. The earth touching aspect is like staking yourself out on a picket before the enemy's onslaught never to leave that spot again. The curtsey of Europe and royalty is based upon an ancient method of charming another person. Benign sorcery if ye will. The curtsy was often accompanied by a kiss to the back of hand. 

The classic Kung Fu salute that nearly everyone knows today is also an interesting case study. It goes something like this: "The warrior & scholar go forth together. They fight side by side, back to back and they return home in great victory"! The Naha-Te of Okinawa have methods of opening their forms which are unique in what it brings forth into the consciousness. There is also the beautiful "Four Winds" salute from China, thought by many experts to be the most warlike of all martial arts salutations

Bringing the hands together as in prayer before yourself is a nice greeting gesture. In some cases it is done with one hand only. That hand being held in close to the chest. In some situations the one hand salute is a prayer gesture and is done with a mudra to back it. The double hand prayer posture is ancient. It is both peaceful and warlike in one. There is a system called the "Priests System" based entirely off of this position. In all truth it is a most fascinating study! All based around a greeting or salute! The gestures of the salutation are many and meaningful. Subtle power via signals.

By now, through this brief study of bows, salutations and secret signals you dear reader must get my drift. That the handshake, hug or kiss must be suspended from use as soon as possible. These all too-touchy customs must be replaced with another type of universal greeting. In some regards there is a growing body of belief in the "elbow bump". I see the effect, I follow the logic of the elbow bump. But in my humble opinion it is still improper and allots too much contact. No touching at all is best! Abstain from touching people, handrails, doorknobs, pushbars, ad infinitum! 

If and when I personally use a salute in public (non-martial arts environs) I use the one hand, mid-chest positioned hand of blessing as my "greeting". It is a harmless action unto itself, but in a subtle "stay back" way it is a warning too. This mudra is done as you execute a curt nod simultaneously with feet together, click heels slightly, eyes on their eyes. Whatever you choose do to make a change in your own world it will echo the logic of the ancestors or you will fail. Low tech simplicity was their game. They were masters at it. We must take heed. For all which they did had reason & purpose. A true purpose to avoid danger and sustain life. Such vital knowledge was not born as a social grace of deceptive tongues, greed and poisonous hands as it is cast forth today, but of necessity and desperation in dire times.

I hope that you have enjoyed this article and found some benefit from it as well. Thank you all!