Click on these links to read some past thoughts:
Miscellaneous Thoughts on Budo
10 Thoughts on Budo
10 Other Thoughts on Budo
But of course, there's more where those came from:
一 The Source of Understanding
Only though constant training everyday can you (over time) come to understand the way. If you are have any trouble on the journey, be it confusion, frustration, technical or any other issue, training is the answer/solution to the problem. With more training comes more insight, greater ability and better understanding of the way itself.
The answer is always more (and better quality) training.
二 The Purpose
Not needing to use the sword is more important than having the best quality sword.
Many martial artists fail to see that the actual purpose of martial training is to end conflict by the best means necessary. This is, of course, to end the conflict before it starts.
We train with fighting skill so that we have it if need be, but the true purpose is to 'not need it' rather than being the best at it. To use your skill to show off or to beat up another person is a great failure when compared to being strong and smart enough to end it situations without violence.
三 More Than Punching & Kicking
‘The Way’ doesn’t include being able to beat the snot out of some random person or beating a random person in a tournament.
‘The Way’ isn’t about being this grade or that grade.
We train to perfect the physical techniques, but it is my observation that the people that focus only on physical skill end up arrogant/full of ego or full of fear, needing to always prove how tough they are in some way.
This is why (in my opinion) to be a true martial artist we need to always develop & work on our character and become better people.
It is important for a Budoka to be honourable, kind and have integrity.
四 More Practical Practice
If you practice your Kata without the Bunkai in mind, the knowledge of that bunkai becomes irrelevant. The knowledge alone without the practice is useless.
Once you know a realistic practical application for any technique, that should become the central focus of that technique.
五 Use your Head
Many practitioners have a mindset of “I can only do what I have been taught and hope what I was taught is correct and complete.”
This statement is narrow minded and shows lack of introspective thought.
Don't ever blindly trust what someone had taught you. Use your head and analyse your Budo yourself. Seek to build your Budo knowledge base drawn from multiple sources.
Such sources would include multiple instructors, books, internet (including videos, articles & social media), other students. By far, the most important source of your knowledge should come from your analytical and creative mind.
Your Budo Comes From Within!
六 Don't Act, Just Be
Sometimes, a person who acts confident is simply trying to hide the fact that they are quite unconfident and fearful. Rather than dealing with their fears, they try to hide them.
To ‘act’ confident doesn’t make you 'be' confident.
True confidence comes from knowledge of self and faith in one’s abilities, this is achieved through training, time and experience.
七 The Right Time for Taking Action
Some things require immediate action.
Some things require action soon.
Some things require action later.
Sometimes is better to simply 'let it be'.
We live in a culture of 'immediate action', but there are times when 'letting it be' is the best action to take.
It is difficult to know what action is best and it quite often requires experience & wisdom to make the best decision.
八 Who I am
I don’t 'play' Budo
I don’t even 'do' Budo
I am a Budoka - It's who I am, not what I do.
九 The Motivations Behind Actions
Any action or decision that is for selfish benefit or to manipulate others in some way, is an undesirable action (This is regardless of the act itself or who it is for).
Altruism it a valuable virtue, don't feign it.
十 The Real Enemy
You’re not 'against' anyone, there is no one to beat… Except yourself.
Master yourself and you master your world.
Comment below to share any thoughts or opinions you might have. J
Thanks for reading.
Derm
ϾDerm
