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CHAPTER 3

What is the Martial Way? Why Study It?

The Way of the Warrior

In my limited 28 years of martial arts experience, I won’t even begin to claim that I understand the concept of Budo. How Budo is explained and defined differs from person to person. The best I can do is relate to what my teachers have tried to instill in me, and what the concept of Budo has come to mean to me.

To me, Budo is using the martial arts as a vehicle to train the mind and the body. It’s about character building and forging the spirit through the challenges put before us in our martial arts training, much like that of the forging of the Japanese katana—building strength layer after layer. It’s about giving just a little more, when our mind and body is telling us there is no more.

It’s about training and mastering your mind so that you are no longer governed by or reacting to environmental influences or circumstances, yet always being aware of them and allowing you to see things for what they really are.

Budo is about having the attitude of a warrior and living with a sense of honor in everything that you do.

It’s about being strong yet compassionate for everyone, working for the betterment of yourself and of the community you live in. These are not easy things to work towards, much less accomplish! Lord knows we’re not perfect.

But it’s about the path. It’s about the challenges that are put before us and how we respond to them. It’s about the development of a moral code we build for ourselves, with the help and guidance of our teachers.

It’s all about the process!

The Battle of Life

Even though most of us never step out onto the battlefield with sword in hand to face an opponent whose objective is to physically destroy us, we still face many battles and conflicts everyday. Having the attitude of a compassionate warrior is an extremely useful tool on our journey through life. We must also recognize that our most difficult opponent is one we deal with everyday...ourselves.

What are some of the battles we face as martial artists and human beings? Sometimes it’s the simple yet difficult battle of getting out of bed when the alarm goes off. It is certainly easier to just hit the snooze button. Maybe it’s the battle of motivating ourselves to have a positive attitude for our work, or towards the people we come in contact with each day. Maybe, it’s the battle of being better focused in our martial arts training, or digging a little deeper physically when your body and mind is telling you to stop. If we don’t give that little extra push, how will we know what we can truly become?

It’s Really Up to You.

We all have related battles to face in life. We all have challenges that we face everyday— deadlines, accomplishment of goals, stress, and environmental factors. Budo teaches us when we have battles/challenges. We must focus our energies on the solution, not the problem.

It’s what you do with what is laid before you that really matters! Is the cup either half-full or half empty? It’s all about how you perceive things. There is always a battle, a situation in which we are tested, in everyone’s life, no matter what your occupation, financial situation or family background.

Pain is part of life...misery is optional!

I believe that challenges come our way for a reason. Sometimes it’s hard to see the positive in situations, but there is usually a lesson to learn or a reason we are being tested. How we deal with them is up to us. We can allow these challenges/battles to steal from us our strength and our vision of who we want to be. Or we can use them to forge our spirit, making us more confident, disciplined, and happy people. As we become better people, we start to affect our communities by having a positive impact on society. As a teacher, my job is to act as a guide for people looking to embark on this journey, helping them become capable leaders and contribute to society.

Can you start a human revolution?

What kind of difference can you make?

Life as a Warrior

An individual who lives with the attitude of a warrior takes on a different view of the world. Budo is the philosophy that guides a warrior and shapes the way he or she sees these events or challenges.

Do we look at things from all perspectives?

Do we try to recognize and understand other people’s motivations for what they do? More importantly, do we realize our own motivations for our actions?

Are our own motivations pure in the sense that we strive for the benefit of ourselves, as well as for the benefit of all parties involved? Or are we motivated strictly by our own selfish desires?

Everything we do, in every personal relationship, business relationship, transaction or deal we make, there must be a mutual benefit for all. This is not a principle that most people live by in today’s society! Having a sense of honor in what we do, and how we treat people, is needed now more than ever. Developing the ability to understand other people’s motivations by observing their actions is an extremely important skill. Someone whose motivation was not that obvious has fooled us all. We end up disappointed, hurt emotionally and sometimes financially. Considering one’s motivation before taking action can sometimes save us from this disappointment.

Honor

Do you have a code of honor?

Do you have a sense of what is right and wrong?

Do you have the courage to stand up for what you believe is right, even when it is unpopular?

I believe true Budo teaches this. Sometimes we need to be a voice for what is right, even though it may jeopardize our position or others’ view of us. This can be a tough situation to be in, but if we have a code of honor, and conviction for the betterment of something, we must take a stand.

Taking this position can be scary and unpopular. But usually, if our intentions are pure, good will come of it. Sometimes, taking an unpopular stand is much better than living with the regret of doing nothing.

When we speak of honor, we have to think in terms of right and wrong.

Where’s the line?

How far can you go before you cross that line?

Does a line even exist?

Realize that sometimes in life, environmental influences exist that compels us to make compromises that we would not normally make. Compromise is important, but not at the expense of our honor. Remember that once you step over the line of right and wrong too many times, that line begins to disappear. We must do our best to keep our honor and ourselves in check.

The Constant of Change

Do you recognize the fragility of life?

Do you know what tomorrow holds?

Do you recognize that in a blink of an eye many of the things that we are blessed with can be taken away?

If you were to find out that you had only six months left on this earth, what would you do differently?

Would you be a better husband, father, teacher, or person in general?

Would you treat people in a kinder, more compassionate manner?

Would you really listen to the people who are close to you, and try to better understand what is important to them?

Would you learn or attempt something you’ve always wanted to do, but were afraid to?

Would you contribute something that would make a profound difference in the lives of other people, therefore leaving a piece of yourself behind...your legacy perhaps?

What will your legacy be?

What will people say when you’re gone?

Will it be positive?

Will people remember sacrifices and contributions you’ve made, whether they were contributions of time, money, or just of yourself?

Oh! That’s right, you will probably be here in six months. But with this philosophy and discipline, we can change our future actions and our appreciation of things in our life. Living with the philosophy of Budo in our lives gives us an appreciation for these blessings and allows us to see that nothing is permanent and things will always continue to change.

Respect

Do you understand the concept of respect, and that we must strive to respect others even if we don’t understand them? The martial way is all about respect! We must learn to respect our elders for the work they have done and the dues they have paid. Their experience in life can give us much insight and if we’re lucky enough, maybe they’ll share some of their knowledge and insights to make our journey a little smoother.

Conflict

So, if we are looking for an avenue of self-improvement, why train in the martial arts? What does martial arts training give us that is difficult to find elsewhere? Martial arts training teaches us about conflict and how to find better ways to deal with it. In it’s most basic interpretation, training in the martial arts teaches an individual how to deal with the conflict of an aggressive, attacking individual. The goal is to first build physical skills and abilities to neutralize the threat of physical violence. Building the qualities of speed, power, balance and stability, along with eye training in the context of the art’s basic fundamentals is essential in this stage.

In the more advanced aspects of this stage, students learn how to be more subtle and refined with their techniques and strategies. They will learn how to properly use angles to evade their attacker, enabling them to use their techniques more efficiently, as well as taking advantage of using the attacker’s force against them. At this stage, students should also learn strategies to enable them to manipulate the structure and balance of an attacker. Someone who cannot find balance cannot follow through with a powerful, effective attack.

As students progress through this first stage and learn how to deal with the physical conflict of an attacker, they should start to see the connection between dealing with the physical attack of an opponent and the non-physical arena of conflict in everyday life. This realization seldom occurs without a teacher who can expose students to the proper philosophies of the martial arts, and can point out the similarities of these conflicts. It is said that a good teacher can take you places that you’ve never been, while a great teacher can dramatically change the place you’re in. So, it is extremely important to have a teacher who can point out the necessary keys to enlighten the student to the fact that these comparisons exist. However, a true student of the arts may turn to many different sources for instruction, including any resource of written or verbal information that enhances the student’s perspective of these comparisons.

When we talk about conflict in a nonphysical sense, we have to think about the conflict that exists in our personal relationships, business/professional relationships, financial situations, and any type of situation in our life where we feel a sense of conflict. Strategies of warfare directly relate to daily life conflict. In warfare it is extremely important to know or understand our enemy.

Is it any less important to understand our spouse, co-workers, or family? In order to avoid or overcome conflict with people with whom we have relationships or dealings, we must not only understand them but also what’s important to them. Seeing their perspective on things goes a long way when it comes to avoiding conflict or overcoming it. That is not to say what we must agree with it, but being able to acknowledge their point of view is critical in resolving conflict. Sometimes, we must agree to disagree on issues!

Ever wonder why groups of people cannot get along with one another, even when they share the same perspectives and beliefs? Why is there always some sort of conflict? A certain amount of conflict will always exist among groups of people simply because every individual has a certain amount of internal conflict. Budo and the martial arts teaches us to recognize these inner conflicts, and gives us the strength to work towards eliminating them.

This is NOT an easy task.

It may certainly take a lifetime! Not only is it beneficial to work at eliminating these conflicts for the purpose of leading a more balanced life, but also it is essential in helping us make good decisions in a world of many choices. Nowadays, life is extremely fast-paced, and we are constantly bombarded with choices. I believe that working towards eliminating or gaining control over these inner conflicts produces a clearer, more receptive mind, and hones our instincts—all of which helps us to make better decisions and choices.

It all comes down to balance —external and internal. Ever notice how internal conflicts come to the surface, when we are feeling pressured by environmental influences? These pressures can come from many different environmental influences, such as money or financial matters, personal relationships, professional pressures and deadlines, health issues or any number of things life may bring our way. Conflicts and insecurities, which exist inside us, will come to the surface when pressured by these influences, squeezed from us like squeezing a grape produces grape juice. What lies inside us, is what comes out under pressure. While writing this book, I had the pleasure of being in Japan with several of my teachers. During this time a terrible earthquake struck the countries of Pakistan and India. It was amazing to me, as I watched CNN, (one of only two channels in English), how two countries which disliked each other immensely, were working together for a common good.

Why must it sometimes take a catastrophe or some tragic event to bring out the good in human nature?

Why can we not have a compassionate and helpful attitude towards the people and situations we come in contact with everyday?

Is it because we are very often totally absorbed in our own selfish wants and needs?

Is it because we all have a certain amount of conflict inside ourselves?

Do we even recognize how this inner conflict affects our perspective of things and people around us?

The Progression of Training

Shugyo no Junyo is a concept used in the martial arts that pertains to the actual progression of training. The formula for this progression of training is very simple:

1) Make up your mind to learn the basic fundamentals of your chosen art. This means setting aside the time and energy required to practice and learn the fundamentals.

2) Repetition and constant practice of the techniques and lessons pertaining to your art.

3) Eventually, evolving into a person who has mastered the art and is confident and in control of his/her environment.

Pretty simple formula...though not necessarily easy to do! Now, if we look at this formula for training, should we not also see that this is also a formula for life?

We, as practitioners of the martial arts, must look towards the lessons contained in our studies. Look at the principle of avoidance, and how we use this on an attacker who is trying to harm us. First, we need to keep our vision peripheral so we may see all of what is going on around us. If we see the situation far in advance, it becomes very easy to avoid it. Secondly, we must move at the right time. Not necessarily fast, but on time. Timing is everything!

When dealing with a non-physical confrontation with a friend, acquaintance, or spouse, the same basic considerations must come into play. We must strive to see situations before they become confrontations. If the conflict is not something we desire or need to be involved in, why allow ourselves to be drawn into it? When someone wishes to engage in an argument or debate with you, and you can see that this particular person only sees things from their own perspective, refuse to allow yourself to be involved. One of my teacher’s favorite quotes is, “Never argue with a fool, for he may be doing the same.” It’s very difficult to argue or debate with someone who refuses to engage. This is a simple example of the principle of avoidance.

Redirection is also a concept to be used in a verbal conflict. If we are to redirect someone’s direction or force, we must strive to make them focus on something other than their primary objective. In a physical arena, this could be a painful strike used to put the opponent mentally and physically off-balance. In the verbal arena, this could be merely redirecting the conversation, maybe getting the person to talk about himself or something important to him. Who doesn’t want to talk about themselves or something of interest?

As martial artists, we need to pay attention to the principles of avoidance, redirection, and creating imbalance that we use when dealing with physical conflict, and apply them in the arenas of personal and business relationships, as well as all of our social interactions.

Life’s Cycle of Progression

How do we start to see the connection between the concept or principle and the many applications it may have for our life? We must look beyond the initial explanation, and examine other possible applications. We must look at the similarities in all things. That is not to say we ignore the differences. But noticing similarities, allows our brain to make a comparison to something we can already relate to.

There are usually many different applications for a concept or principle, just as there are usually many different facets of our life that principles can help enhance.

Let’s take a look at a symbol that many people are familiar with, but truly do not understand all its implications.

The yin-yang symbol can be seen everywhere you look. It has been used in logos, on book covers, T-shirts, skateboards, in the martial arts, as well as in many other applications. The symbol is said to date back to the fourth century B.C., and has been used by the philosophical religions of Buddhism, Confucianism, and Taoism.

The Yin-Yang represents two opposite, conflicting forces, which blend and coexist in the same space. These forces are found in every action. The symbol is also a reflection of the fact that all things in life are subject to change. The only thing we can be sure of is that life, as we know it today, will change. It is really up to us to try to change things for the better.

The symbol is made up of two teardrops, like halves that seemingly blend into one another. The black portion is Yang, representing such characteristics as hard, forceful, or an outward projection of energy. The white portion is Yin, representative of such characteristics as soft, yielding, or an inward collection of energy. Inside each of the spheres is contained a small seed or portion of the other.

This signifies that whether you are predominately a Yang person, or a Yin person, we all have a small percentage of the qualities from the other.

We can look at this symbol and it’s representations in many ways. It can take on the meaning of the balance between FULL and EMPTY. This comparison can be related to characteristics of the human ego; if we are too full of ourselves, we allow ourselves to be closed off to new perspectives and ideas. This makes it very difficult for proper learning and positive growth for the future. On the other hand, if we are too empty, we may accept all perspectives and ideas without questioning whether that particular information is good for us.

Another way of interpreting the yin-yang symbol would be the comparison of being FORCEFUL or YIELDING. There are times in our martial arts where we must be forceful; use of power, speed, and an indomitable spirit to move straight ahead is essential. But as we become more experienced, the realization that having the ability to be yielding, and elusive is equally important.

The important concept to grasp is knowing when and where to apply each quality. Knowing how to use this concept in your daily life is essential when dealing with the conflicts of everyday life.

Yet another comparison of this symbol can be that of the use of STRENGTH and COMPASSION. It is very important in life, to have strength. Strength in your convictions, state of mind, and in your physical sense, is very important for your survival. But being strong without compassion, and an open mind for understanding the people and circumstances around us, can leave us empty and out of balance. As martial artists and students of life, we must have the strength and fierceness of a lion, but, just as importantly, that strength must be tempered by compassion for all those around us.

As we look at these comparisons of the Yin-Yang symbol–and there are countless more–we should start to see a common thread: the pursuit of balance. All of these characteristics from this symbol are very important unto themselves. But mastering the ability to use them in a balanced, productive, and compassionate manner is what a student of the martial arts, and a student of life should strive for.

Rules/Guidelines for Life

As we progress in our training, and become aware of martial arts principles and concepts, we should start to notice how we are governed by natural law. These laws govern how we move, giving us a road map if you will, to better balance and structure as well as ease in movement. Knowing how these concepts/principles apply to us, for better structure and movement, also teaches us the keys of destruction when it comes to our opponent.

When it comes to physically applying our martial arts techniques, we can violate these principles sometimes, depending on our age (youth), strength, and speed. But as we get older, we have to grow smarter and more perceptive to the keys that make our purpose easier, and our opponent’s purpose more difficult. If we choose to ignore the fact that these guidelines exist, we are doomed to fail, especially after our physical skills start to diminish.

As we have discussed earlier, principles that govern or relate to physical movement and motion, have a direct relationship in dealing with the mental and emotional challenges of daily living.

Keeping this in mind, I have tried to come up with several simple, straight-forward principles or rules to help guide us when dealing with conflict...physical or non-physical.

1) Pick Your Battles!

Ever feel that you are surrounded by battles/conflicts that constantly require your energy and urgent attention? Sometimes in life, we are drawn into a conflict without our total awareness. Other times, we may dive right in to a fight, without considering the consequences of participating in the conflict. How much time, emotional and physical energy will we have to invest?

Will this sacrifice be beneficial to the betterment of our lives in the long run? Have we looked at the possible outcomes of this situation or conflict? How will our lives, and the lives of those around us, benefit if we prevail? Will there actually be any benefits? Have we considered the down side of engaging in this conflict if we do not prevail? What will we lose, and more importantly, can we afford the loss? Is the fight worth the consequences?

These are all considerations that have to be taken into account, BEFORE we enter into a conflict. In war, just as in daily life, there are never any shortages of conflicts or battles we may engage in. The important thing to remember is that to be an effective and victorious warrior, we must look at the big picture and ask ourselves these important questions. Have we entered into a conflict merely because of our ego, or is the process or fight a worthwhile cause, which will affect you and others in a positive manner?

Always remember, in many cases, we have the opportunity to pick the battles we engage in. But, if we choose not to ask ourselves the important questions, we will find ourselves drawn into conflicts and situations that are not worthy of our time, energy, and possibility of sacrifice and loss.

This guideline is, in no way meant to influence the reader to be totally passive, and to not engage in a conflict. It is merely meant to induce this thought, more often than not we have a choice in the matter. Always remember, when we have a choice, we must evaluate the situation in an objective, educated manner.

2) It is Always Easier to Get Into a Battle or Conflict, Than It is to Get Out!

This guideline goes hand-in-hand with PICK YOUR BATTLES. We have all been drawn into situations, where we’ve engaged in a conflict, whether it is an argument, legal battle, or dispute of some kind, only to realize the objective is not worth the price we must pay to accomplish it. If we lose the taste for the battle, we may find ourselves wondering how we got involved.

When considering the first guideline, Pick Your Battles, we must consider the fact that the conflict may draw on much longer, and become more costly, than anticipated. This factor must be a major consideration. Are we willing to endure a long, drawn out, mentally and physically draining campaign? If we look back in history, many times we’ve found ourselves as a country, involved in campaigns that have continued on much longer and become more costly than anticipated. Is the objective worth the sacrifice?

We must look at the conflict and how to appropriately deal with it. Consider all scenarios... What is your exit strategy? Do you have one? At what point would you consider cutting your losses and remove yourself from the conflict?

3) Know Who You’re Dealing With!

In the martial sense, this would more appropriately be termed, Know Your Enemy. Since these guidelines are meant to cover a broad spectrum of conflicts or battles which may come our way, we will use, Know Who You’re Dealing With. In any interaction with people, there is a certain possibility of conflict. As discussed before, everyone has a certain amount of internal conflict. Therefore, when interacting with others, opinions and viewpoints will often differ, bringing conflict to the surface.

In order to plan out a strategy to avoid conflict, we must know as much as possible about the person or persons we have interactions with. This may be an adversary in business, a neighbor, a co-worker, a spouse, or anyone whom we have some type of relationship with.

First of all, knowing a great deal about the people we interact with, gives us a better understanding of them. We start to see and understand their values and priorities, which guide or drive their behavior. Understanding what things are important and fulfilling to them, allows us to create a more harmonious and balanced relationship with them.

Here are several important characteristics to remember that will help better understand people and why they do what they do.

• The number-one fear all people have is rejection.

• ALL people need to feel accepted by those around them.

• Everyone approaches situations with some concern about what’s in it for them.

• When negotiating or dealing with someone, you must do it in a way that protects or enhances their self-esteem.

• People will hear and adopt only concepts that they understand, and can relate to.

• People believe and trust those who like them, and share things in common with them.

Take a look at these guidelines, and see if they don’t give you a better understanding of how and why people act.

Knowing these characteristics of the way humans function, and implementing them into your strategy when interacting with others, will change the way you see and deal with other people. This allows us to better avoid conflict and if conflict occurs, allows for better communication and negotiation. Everyone desires to feel important in some way, and wants to feel as though they’re being understood. If you make it a constant practice to observe the people around you, and better understand what makes them unique, you will be much more successful in having balanced relationships with them.

4) It’s Not Always What You Say, but More Importantly, How You Say It!

Quite often, the delivery of the message is more important than its content. When we are involved in discussions with people, our intent is usually to get the other party to see our viewpoint.

They may feel defensive, or intimidated by our perspective. We may experience feelings of frustration, anger, or impatience, which can cause us to lose sight of our objective. If we do this, our delivery of the message can create a breakdown in the lines of communication. This in turn, makes our objective much more difficult, if not impossible. Remember, that our objective is to win the battle without a fight.

If the delivery of the message is done without the presence of ego, and is done in a manner that allows the other party to see that both sides share common values and interests, communication and resolve of the conflict will take place much quicker. This allows for the feeling of connection with people. Most people will be much more inclined to listen to someone, who they feel understands their interests and concerns.

Sometimes, we allow our emotions to negatively effect our presentation or delivery. If we are feeling emotions of anger or frustration, we may come off as gruff and unconcerned for anyone else’s feelings or viewpoints. This usually will result in a much more difficult resolution of the conflict. That’s not to say that sometimes our emotions cannot propel us and gives us the ability to deliver a commanding, inspirational message. Sometimes anger and the show of force can be a powerful tool when it comes to an adversary that only understands that mentality.

As you can see, this guideline is directly related to Know Who You’re Dealing With. When you better understand the person you’re dealing with, the delivery of you’re message can be incredibly more effective! When it comes to our emotions, we must choose which emotions are proper for the situation, and use them in a balanced manner. There’s that concept of balance, again! Yet it’s NOT the easiest thing to do, is it?

5) Take What You Do Seriously...Don’t Take Yourself Seriously!

Having an over abundance of ego and self-righteousness can, and usually does end up in the destruction of ourselves, and greatly impairs our relationships with others. Have you ever known someone who was extremely passionate and skilled in what they did, while maintaining a humble attitude about themselves? Their dedication and enthusiasm for what they do is an inspiration to those around them. Their humility creates a feeling of approachability and comfort, which draws people to them.

As people are drawn towards this person, they may pass along compliments and share their admiration. They may comment on this person’s incredible level of skill, or their vast knowledge in a given area, in turn putting this person on a pedestal. This is great feedback for the individual, for it gives them the ability to see they’re making progress and that they are delivering a quality service.

It is a wonderful thing to be able to feel we are giving good direction to others who share our interest. This is an important process in the development of this leader. Unfortunately, the drawback to this can be that even those who start out as the most humble can start to take these compliments, and themselves, way too seriously. It is easy to forget where we came from; we may forget that we are no better than them, just perhaps further along on the journey than they may be.

If we allow others to feed our ego to the point we take ourselves too seriously, we forget about being compassionate towards others. We lose touch with doing the best we can do, so others can’t benefit from our presence. Many great people have fallen because they allow themselves to believe they’re larger than life. Take what you do very seriously...but always be careful to NOT take yourself too seriously.

That’s why it is so very important to always remain a student. We must strive for continual growth and evolution in what we do, and in who we are.

A very important part of this growth has to come from having a good teacher. As we become more successful in life, we must always remember where we came from. If we, as teachers, forget what it was like when we were white belts, then we cannot relate to the student, and what they need. We must remember the humbling experiences we had when starting this journey.

The importance of having a teacher cannot be overlooked! A good teacher provides guidance to keep us on track. They have traveled this path before us, and can therefore guide us through the pitfalls that lay before us. If our ego needs to be put in check, they provide lessons on humility, when the need arises.

We should be humbled by our teachers in several ways. We should be humbled by our teacher’s knowledge and skill of the martial arts. As importantly though, we should be humbled by their actions, personal humility and philosophy. Remember that no one is perfect, and even the best instructors have faults. The key, I guess is...are we working at resolving our issues, and working at bettering ourselves and those around us? Remember to always have the ability to laugh at yourself. TAKE WHAT YOU DO SERIOUSLY, NOT YOURSELF!

6) Take Time to Appreciate What You Have In Your Life.

This guideline is to help us understand and learn to appreciate people and things, we have in our life...while they are here. Too often in life, we get caught up in the busy days, the stress, and the deadlines and commitments we face. We have a tendency to lose sight of what’s truly important in our lives. As this happens, people and things in our life begin to drift away, or start to deteriorate. So periodically we must take an inventory of the people, and things in our lives that make us happy and contribute to who we are. We have to pay attention to the action needed to maintain and nurture our relationships, and important components of our life. This could apply to a spouse, loved one, or friend. It could also be a business, a career, or the pursuit of something like the martial arts. As with anything important, there must be a certain amount of dedication, in order to have them continue to be an important, enriching part of our lives.