Don’t Mind

The mind is in a constant state of conflict with the body and spirit. If you can create distance from your mind, you can better battle your thoughts, which are often the obstacle to the achievement of magokoro 真心, or pure mind.

As stated before, “the biggest battle is within”, and this battle is always with the mind.

By creating inner distance, you can control your own space and begin to achieve a better level of control of the mind, ultimately closing the gap to achieve magokoro.

Soke said, “Teach how to live, not to fight”.  This is a very profound statement because it will upset all those that strive to become fighters or warriors.

But to become a fighter or warrior is easy, to execute is not. 

Furthermore, to survive your mind after battle is the challenge that many may not be able to overcome. 

Bufu Ikkan

Goshinjutsu

I would like to draw everyone’s attention to the growing blog of local resident Buyu Paul Masse.

I have always felt that Paul has achieved a level of internalization of Soke’s Budo and teachings that is inspiring.  Paul has been here training as long as I can remember, and he is not as well known as he should be.  That will change.

I cannot recommend enough the value of keeping an eye on Paul’s blog.

http://web.mac.com/phmasse/martial_profile/Welcome.html

Paul is truly an artist and all the work on his sight is done by him.  He has achieved a level in calligraphy and photography that is driven by the eyes mind of the budoka.

The above photo in the header of Henka  was taken by Paul.

Bufu Ikkan

Immovable Old Man

 

Last Sunday at Hombu training, I asked Soke to write the Characters for “Fudo Myo”, but changing the last character 明 to the Character 妙,meaning mysterious.  I thought given this year’s theme that this was a clever expression and deep play on words.

Soke clearly noticed my attempt to play with words, as he often does, gave me a quick smile and added his own touch with the last character “okina” or old man.  Ultimately, the meaning can be seen as the “immovable mysterious old man”.   

What was once mine was now his, and I then realized that Soke was signing the page and combining this duality with my request, and ultimately controlling the space.

This freedom of expression and ability to grasp the moment can be seen as the gokui of martial arts, and there I sat witness to it.

Centered at the core “Fudo” but mysterious as “Neko no Myojitsu” .

Buffu Ikkan