Comments on: New Years Resolute-Theme 2008

By: Trevor Robinson

Trevor Robinson — Wed, 06 Feb 2008 05:58:41 +0000

I was Born in the year of the Rat 1960 so was my son Dominic 1996 and his Mother 1972, a bunch of rats! i’ts go to be a good year for us!

By: Richard Van Donk

Richard Van Donk — Thu, 24 Jan 2008 03:57:36 +0000

Doug,
Thank you so much for the inspriations, sharings and insights of Soke’s teachings. I encourage you to write as often as you can to help those that cannot be there all the time to experience Soke transmitting his life art.

To me his teachings are about living a better life as much as it is about learning how to win a battle. The toughest battles most ever face is between their own 2 ears. The art of distancing also teaches us to distance ourselves from our emotions. Does it not?

Even though I have been training since the early 1980’s and going to Japan several times every year since then these insights you share are always valuable to me so I know that they are to others. You have become a voice to us all. Gambate.

Thank you,
Richard Van Donk

By: Arnaud Cousergue

Arnaud Cousergue — Thu, 17 Jan 2008 12:24:33 +0000

Happy Year of the Rat to all Bujinkan members!

When you watch Hatsumi Sensei, you are watching the result, the end of a long training process. When you copy this result, you are still missing the lessons, the training and polishing that lead to it. It is like going to the top of a mountain with a helicopter, instead of learning how to do mountain climbing! Think about it.

I think this quote from Antoine de Saint Exupery defines perfectly the attitude we must have: “The meaning of things lies not in the things themselves, but in our attitude towards them” (in “Citadel”).

Arnaud Cousergue

By: David

David — Thu, 17 Jan 2008 01:09:22 +0000

Hi Doug,

I appreciate the post as many do. After training in japan for the first time last October I thirst for a continued connection to Soke and the other Shihan. Your blog is just such a connection.

Loving your Work,

David
Koguma Dojo (VT-USA)

By: Dani ESteban

Dani ESteban — Wed, 16 Jan 2008 09:44:47 +0000

HI Doug,

Thanks again for sharing your thoughts and experiences with our Sôke.
In certain manner, for us that can go to Japan only one or twice a year, is a sort of umbilical cord with Sôke, fresh air from the Hombu, and this is highly appreciated.
I noticed that some buyu is translating your blog into spanish. That’s good news !
I permitted myself to translate this last post and put it in my blog: http://bushidojo.blogia.com/
Hope you don’t mind, like other times.
Best wishes.
See you soon in Japan (April or May)

Dani Esteban -Kôryu-
Bujinkan Bushi Dojo (Barcelona - Spain)

By: Jarrad Robertson

Jarrad Robertson — Wed, 16 Jan 2008 03:14:45 +0000

Thank you for taking the time to do all of this. I find myself checking back just about every now. Hope all is well.

By: Dale Seago

Dale Seago — Tue, 15 Jan 2008 22:11:49 +0000

Thanks for the heads-up, Doug. Looks like I’m taking my folks in the right direction — I noticed in Noguchi sensei’s classes during the Daikomyosai period that he was already “Togakurizing” a lot of the henka he was showing to Kukishin kata. He wasn’t explicit about it though, you had to recognize and “steal” it.

I should be back over in mid-April, and look forward to seeing you again then. Some of my students may be able to make it a bit sooner than that.

Best always,
Dale

By: Stu Klemm

Stu Klemm — Tue, 15 Jan 2008 11:36:46 +0000

Thanks for your efforts to keep us abreast of what is going on there. Happy New Year to you!! Looking forward to your journal this year. Stu, Sean, Carl, Trevor, Ian, Gabe, and David.

By: Vervoort Christophe

Vervoort Christophe — Tue, 15 Jan 2008 11:02:24 +0000

The only thing I can say is “Ninpo Ikkan”. Happy newyear and let’s all have a good year of training.