Today, I want to share with you something that literally changed the way I viewed both the art of Ninjutsu, and why I teach from the perspective that I do.
You see, I've been training in Ninjutsu since 1980. That's a long time, I know, but I'm not pointing that out to impress you. But I do want to impress "upon" you that I have seen things, and have gone through many different training methods that, quite frankly, very few know about today.
I have also received many lessons from Hatsumi-Sensei that, since the focus was changed to "Budo-Taijutsu," you probably haven't heard. Again, not bragging, just setting up the point of today's lesson.
One of the earliest lessons that I received from Soke, and probably one of those that "sealed the deal" for me, causing me to train and focus on what I do, had to do with the end result - the goal of the training - and not about martial arts or self-defense.
It's one of the reasons that I contend that Ninjutsu is "NOT" a real martial arts. At least, not in the sense that most people - including most students and teachers in the Bujinkan today - view the martial arts.
What I'm talking about is this, and it's something that I spoke about in one of my recent "Inner Circle" Platinum Coaching calls with my online students...
I'm talking about the lesson where Hatsumi-Sensei said, "To be called a Ninja, is to be called a true 'Lady' or 'Gentleman.'"
Do you understand that statement?
It's part of what I was talking about with my online coaching students when we were discussing the perspective that a student has when he or she "enters" the Path of training. Because, what they focus on is who and what they will become at the end of it all.
I also discuss this quiet a bit in both my "Ninja Mind" and Ninja no Hachimon Programs. You can fiind information about these two online ninjutsu training programs at:
http://www.warrior-concepts-online.com/8Gates.html (Ninja no Hachimon), and...
http://www.warrior-concepts-online.com/ninja-mind-course.html (Ninja Mind)
Because, if you're idea of training in this art is to become a super fighter or some kind of "Ninja Assassin" like you see in the movies, then what you're doing is training to become exactly the opposite of that the art of Ninjutsu is all about! Instead of becoming "invisible" and moving in the shadows, you will become more and more obvious, and less and less invisible.
If you set out to "show your enemies who's boss" - to "teach 'them' a lesson" - or to make your enemies face "Universal Justice" (or whatever your catch-phrase is), then you will (according to the Universal law of Karma) be creating more and more enemies until, one day, you will have more than you can handle.
The art of Ninjutsu is not about becoming some tough-guy or girl. It's not like most other martial arts where the end result is to have the most powerful skills.
In fact, it's just the opposite of that.
The art that was passed down by our spiritual ancestors was one of "working your will without action," of "being invisible in the eyes of your enemies," and of appearing to take no action and attaining the goals and results that you wanted."
It's not about "living for the martial arts," or any such limiting viewpoint. It's about having the skills and power to accomplish what needs to be accomplished with no one else knowing that you had any action in it.
Hardly possible if you walk around bragging about the color of your belt, how many fights you've been in, or what you're going to do to the next guy who does XYZ to you!
But, if you could develop the social graces - the level of knowledge, etiquette, and appearances of a true Lady or Gentleman...
...who would even suspect that you were controlling things and protecting yourself and others.
Who would expect that, under that refined, peaceful exterior, lay the skills and abilities that no attacker ever wants to experience - and no lawyer would ever think twice about when it came to prosecuting a thug!
Think about it.
In Mastery!
Shidoshi Miller
PS - Many well-meaning students and those looking for these proven, time-tested lessons avoid the use of the word "Ninja" or "Ninjutsu" because of what it has come to be seen as - cartoon characters and warped images of killer warriors depicted in movies, on television, and in the media. Isn't it ironic that, in an age where Ninjutsu has become available to the masses, it is just as hidden as it has always been?
PPS - Have you enrolled in my new "Ninpo-Mastermind"? It's a new online ninjutsu training program where you get monthly lessons ( 2 or 4 based on the level of membership that you choose) taken straight from my dvd programs, home study courses, and Ninja Camp dvds!
You see, I've been training in Ninjutsu since 1980. That's a long time, I know, but I'm not pointing that out to impress you. But I do want to impress "upon" you that I have seen things, and have gone through many different training methods that, quite frankly, very few know about today.
I have also received many lessons from Hatsumi-Sensei that, since the focus was changed to "Budo-Taijutsu," you probably haven't heard. Again, not bragging, just setting up the point of today's lesson.
One of the earliest lessons that I received from Soke, and probably one of those that "sealed the deal" for me, causing me to train and focus on what I do, had to do with the end result - the goal of the training - and not about martial arts or self-defense.
It's one of the reasons that I contend that Ninjutsu is "NOT" a real martial arts. At least, not in the sense that most people - including most students and teachers in the Bujinkan today - view the martial arts.
What I'm talking about is this, and it's something that I spoke about in one of my recent "Inner Circle" Platinum Coaching calls with my online students...
I'm talking about the lesson where Hatsumi-Sensei said, "To be called a Ninja, is to be called a true 'Lady' or 'Gentleman.'"
Do you understand that statement?
It's part of what I was talking about with my online coaching students when we were discussing the perspective that a student has when he or she "enters" the Path of training. Because, what they focus on is who and what they will become at the end of it all.
I also discuss this quiet a bit in both my "Ninja Mind" and Ninja no Hachimon Programs. You can fiind information about these two online ninjutsu training programs at:
http://www.warrior-concepts-online.com/8Gates.html (Ninja no Hachimon), and...
http://www.warrior-concepts-online.com/ninja-mind-course.html (Ninja Mind)
Because, if you're idea of training in this art is to become a super fighter or some kind of "Ninja Assassin" like you see in the movies, then what you're doing is training to become exactly the opposite of that the art of Ninjutsu is all about! Instead of becoming "invisible" and moving in the shadows, you will become more and more obvious, and less and less invisible.
If you set out to "show your enemies who's boss" - to "teach 'them' a lesson" - or to make your enemies face "Universal Justice" (or whatever your catch-phrase is), then you will (according to the Universal law of Karma) be creating more and more enemies until, one day, you will have more than you can handle.
The art of Ninjutsu is not about becoming some tough-guy or girl. It's not like most other martial arts where the end result is to have the most powerful skills.
In fact, it's just the opposite of that.
The art that was passed down by our spiritual ancestors was one of "working your will without action," of "being invisible in the eyes of your enemies," and of appearing to take no action and attaining the goals and results that you wanted."
It's not about "living for the martial arts," or any such limiting viewpoint. It's about having the skills and power to accomplish what needs to be accomplished with no one else knowing that you had any action in it.
Hardly possible if you walk around bragging about the color of your belt, how many fights you've been in, or what you're going to do to the next guy who does XYZ to you!
But, if you could develop the social graces - the level of knowledge, etiquette, and appearances of a true Lady or Gentleman...
...who would even suspect that you were controlling things and protecting yourself and others.
Who would expect that, under that refined, peaceful exterior, lay the skills and abilities that no attacker ever wants to experience - and no lawyer would ever think twice about when it came to prosecuting a thug!
Think about it.
In Mastery!
Shidoshi Miller
PS - Many well-meaning students and those looking for these proven, time-tested lessons avoid the use of the word "Ninja" or "Ninjutsu" because of what it has come to be seen as - cartoon characters and warped images of killer warriors depicted in movies, on television, and in the media. Isn't it ironic that, in an age where Ninjutsu has become available to the masses, it is just as hidden as it has always been?
PPS - Have you enrolled in my new "Ninpo-Mastermind"? It's a new online ninjutsu training program where you get monthly lessons ( 2 or 4 based on the level of membership that you choose) taken straight from my dvd programs, home study courses, and Ninja Camp dvds!
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