Back in the 80s, there was a great cartoon character named He-Man. He-Man was "Master of the Universe" - nothing more, nothing less! The perfect archetype of a man. A type we have all at one time or another strived to become. He-Man was the personification of the classic virtues such as strength, courage and willpower.

Fortunately, He-Man was only a cartoon character. But therefore the figure as an allegory can still easily appear as a good example for inspiration for us living in 2015. Kimu Sensei has - perhaps for the same reason - diligently used He-Man as a frame of reference during the POMW courses. However, probably mostly as a somewhat negatively charged reference, to remind us that not everything that appears absolutely manly with tremendous strength and huge ego is necessarily the epitome of the virtues that will ensure our success in shooting.

The above virtues are in any case an obstacle if you participate in POMW to learn - and we participate primarily to learn. Both shooting technique, but also to get to know ourselves better.

As previously discussed in POMW articles, throughout my life I have struggled with an unfounded fear of things that say BANG. During both the POMW I and II course, I have proven to myself that I have had the courage (one of the three He-Man virtues!) to do away with this. That said, it still rattles in the back of my mind as soon as the pistols come out or when the caliber gets bigger! But all this I have now proved that I can overcome! I do it and I do it OK. Not perfect, but OK!

During POMW II, I have momentarily proven that it is indeed possible for me to master the pistol. In these moments I am super concentrated and forget everything about time and place - and fear. The shoots fit perfectly. This was underlined by the fact that during POMW II – the second part – I shot my absolute best to date, calculated on points.

That said, there is plenty of room for improvement. Because during these shootings, it is clear that there are moments when fear and lapses in concentration take over. At times, super concentrated shooting, where a number of "Bulls Eyes" or close shots are detected, but the shooting is clouded by a number of "Stray Cats" that do not immediately have any logical explanation.

POMW II has taught me – because here it becomes real – that in the long run, it's a matter of being in the moment and enjoying the shooting. We are constantly told to do that, but it is always difficult for me to enjoy, but in the moments when I stand and shoot - and forget everything about time and place - I become one with the aiming device, the target and not least the process . At this moment, it is really a pleasure. But it is something that happens over time, and thus not a state I can yet conjure up on command. It is an unconscious transition from discomfort to pleasure.

"Unfortunately" this state of mind is sometimes interrupted. Whether it is due to large quantities of cartridge casings flying around your ears or the well-intentioned, and not least justified, comments from shooting instructors. Whatever the reason, these are disturbing elements and it brings me out of the unconscious presence and back into the conscious Self. This is where uncertainty and fear take over again.

The He-Man who will win the battle is the inner He-Man. The bridge between Courage and Inner Strength, which I have become acquainted with by chance, goes via willpower. Willpower! For better or worse. And that, after all, has to be worked with. It is the preparation in all aspects of the concept. The boat in the form of dry-training and strength exercises that we are asked to practice between each POMW session; but just as much, for me, a mental preparation. There must be a balance between the inside and the outside! If technique and strength are not in place, then there is no room to work with the inner He-Man.

POMW II has shown me that shooting under real conditions – from being something unpleasant and something that was decidedly a nuisance for me – is now suddenly something that I have momentarily had super good experiences with. After all, it's a matter of having confidence in yourself and your abilities. Because as we are told again and again in Shindenkan, we can do it if we want to - and we believe it ourselves!