Short Dream
In Budo we often focus on the self, and although this specific point is very critical and can be considered an endless struggle, we must never lose the ability to see the opponent. The very essence of conflict exists between two points. This is the natural duality. In internal struggle this is between the “ego self” and the” real self”. As stated before, this may be the most difficult fight to win and seems to be ongoing regardless of any level of achievement.
Often the conflict could be resolved by simply understanding the opponent. Soke mentioned recently that the part that is often missed in the study of Budo is that of looking at the opponent. Soke used the term to see “miru” rather than to understand “Wakaru”. It is my opinion that to “see”, is primary and that “understanding”may require crucial time that might not be available in the moment. True Budo is not something that can be understood or explained or studied.
We could achieve so much more if we implemented the practice of seeing the opponent -no surprises or conflict can be avoided entirely. Seeing allows for positioning, as Soke is always in this position of safety.
Why would one purposely position oneself for conflict? All the teachings say that it is due to the ego.
Soke often says “don’t make yourself a target” and this is a simple statement with profound wisdom. I’m the first to admit that it is always easier said than done and this is just further example of the ”fight within”.
Ability to see the opponent must come from an achieved level of first seeing the opponent within and is this not the essence of martial arts?
Bufu Ikkan.
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About
My name is Doug Wilson, originally from the US (CA). I have been studying martial arts for almost 30 years, 20+ of those years in the Bujinkan. I have spent 14 of those years in Japan training at the Hombu Dojo. I act as a main interpreter for the Hombu Dojo and have co-translated the above books by Hatsumi Soke, released by Kodansha International. I feel that the time is right to provide my acquired information to the Bujinkan public about training in Japan. I guess I can say from my unique position and close proximity to Soke, I can provide a perspective that most can not. Here, I will post what I have recently learned, translated, experienced, and interpreted as well as been told to say. Some may find the content to be too direct or controversial. It is not meant to be, it is the truth provided in a “zero” way to those people who are interested in hearing it. It is not a place designed to draw fire from those who live online, expending energy arguing about things that mean nothing. I am a student of Hatsumi Soke and this is MY perspective. I hope to provide an insight to the dedicated practitioners of Hatsumi Soke’s Budo and the Bujinkan.
Doug Wilson-15th Dan, Bujinkan Hombu Dojo
*Profile photo by Sheila*
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If true budo cannot be understood,explained or studied, then what are we doing trying to study,understand,or explain?If that is true we are all learning false budo. I think we should more focus on being “0″,in alignment with Gods will, and the spirit will make clear all things. I mean no offense, It just seems confusing when you say it cannot be explained and then try to explain it.
I think Budo, as Doug is “explaining” is intangible, if there is ever a point where any one of us deeply believes that we know, possess, or in some regard grasp Budo, then we have already lost it. The only thing that can be explained about Budo is the pursuit, not the entity of Budo itself. I think it is letting go of that ultimately scientific approach of western minds whom need labels, explanations, and a rigid process for things that will help people like me get progress on our path to Budo, but I cannot speak for the rest. I could very well be way off base.
I feel certain that I have not been training long enough to divine true budo from false budo, but I would love to meet somebody who can. No offense, Jason.
I think when Doug talks about ‘true budo’, Jason, he’s talking about ‘zero’, just as you are. We can’t analyze ‘zero’ effectively, but as students and witnesses to Hatsumi’s tradition we consider what it might be, how to get there and reach for it nonetheless.
I think quite often that people over think, over analyze and this is turn slows them down at various points in their training! See you on the mats!
Learning to see things as they are and not as we would like them to be or as we think they should be !!!
Very difficult indeed but I know that is why Soke’s teachings have such great interest
As Doug questions “why would one position themselves purposefully for conflict?”, and answers, “…the ego…”
If we could truly see, understanding would be understated.
I think that we try to “understand” Budô as a result and not as a process. Sometines we train to get a level (kyû or dan), to get stronger, to get confidence… we always see the end result but not the process.
Doug,
You make an excellent point regarding the “ego self” and the “real self”. So many times we put our ego in front of us. No wonder we can’t see our opponent.
Thanks again for that wonderful post.
Mike
Doug,
Very good argument explaining the in and yo of Budo. On one level, we have to train, understand, and explain to get the physical aspect of Budo. On the other hand, I have found at my level of training anytime I inject self or thought into it, the whole feeling is lost and it ends up “not working.” I think this goes along with the idea of learning techniques and then throwing them away. I have very much noticed this in the notes I have taken over the years regarding training. In the beginning, it was very “kata-ized” in left punch, right punch, kick, block, move to the left. As it progressed, I found more feeling and intangible “notes” in my scribing. I can’t profess to know or understand Budo by any means, but I feel your point very much.
Thanks for the great provocative posting….
Steve
All the points made above are hitting only parts of the whole picture. Soke is teaching us to have faith in the divine. What he is teaching us is only one way to that divine point. There are many ways to get to it whether it be painting, poetry, walking etc. If you are training in Budo, then have faith in what you are learning from Soke. Have faith in the divine and you will never have to think about what you need to do in training or life, for it will put you where you need to be at the right time.
Then again Matthew, it could be said you’ve only hit parts of the whole picture yourself
The problem is these are just words on a page, we may understand what is said but that is not to say we have captured the essence.
Budo to me is a feeling, and i think this is what it means when we say it cannot be understood as such. I can show you the Kihon Happo, i can explain the movements, but ultimately you have to take the journey, you have to ‘feel’ it your own way.
This is the same for all teaching, no one is really ‘taught’ anything, we are simply made aware of something, the rest is up to us.
So live it, rather than trying to understand it, know yourself, and you will begin to truly ’see’ others.
This is just my ‘piece of the puzzle’ as it were
Good comments everyone! First time commenting here so would like to say thanks to Doug for sharing his thoughts and insights
Quick comment….human beings are meaning making machines…try not to make meaning of that….or anything sometime. The question to ask is, what importance do we give meaning, or can we let the meaning and its possible significance float by like a cloud in the wind, dissipating.