Budo Healing


The power of Budo is amazing to me. Budo encapsulates life in all its forms. Most start in Budo for just the same reason I did, I was a quiet, short and slightly podgy child and I was interested in anything that would toughen me up. Even if your reason for thinking about starting Budo or the reason that you actually starting Budo is and was different to mine, I bet that you did not start it for its imitation of and for the lessons of life.

Because Budo reflects life so closely it can act as a healing mechanism for such conditions as depression, unruly children and unruly adults. It will supply direction and will teach to delay gratification both absolute necessities for a happy balanced life.

Many parents have told me how their children have changed dramatically and productively to the positive stimulation and reinforcement of the Budo Warrior Schools class structure. Many adults too have related stories of how their lives have been improved way beyond what they had thought possible by being part of the Budo Warrior Schools program.

We cannot by the flow of energy and harmony and liberal doses of fun cure the physical, we can and have cured ailments of the spirit and the soul and long may we continue.



It was just a little grading but marked a significant little moment for myself. I know that gradings don’t really mean that much, but it felt as though I proved to myself that I could do it. I commented to a friend the other day that I have come to realise that Ninjutsu is not Satori but Zen.



Through self-contemplation over the last weeks, especially up in the mountains, I have realised that intuition takes precedence over any temporary enlightenment, no matter how many techniques one knows that is not the true way, the true way is reacting before one knows even the need to react.



I remember at the beginning of this year, reading your article in the South Wales Echo about Budo Warrior Schools and how this ancient martial art could change your life in 30 days.

Intrigued by this statement I decided to go along to find out more. After the first lesson, I was hooked and couldn’t wait to enrol as a Budo Warrior.

A question that I was asked on the enrolment form was why I wanted to learn the skill of the Ninja and what was the attraction to this way of life. I responded by stating throughout my life I was being told of my impatience with people and my poor attitude towards work colleagues and at times family and friends. I was looking to train my mind as well as my body, to control my thoughts and my reactions.

As a student of Budo Warrior Schools for the last eight months, training on occasions three times a week, I have learnt many new and valuable things. For me the most important aspect of your teaching has been self-control and respect of others.

I have started on this road of learning, which has become a way of life. As a result the impact of your teaching has been that family and friends have commented on the changes to my attitude, saying that I am less aggressive, calmer and more prepared to listen to other people’s views.

Whilst I am still an infant, in the education of the way of the Ninja, I have succeeded in one of my goals.

Shidoshi, you always say ‘to know one thing is to know a hundred things.’ I am on the road to success.



I find I am feeling strangely at peace. There is a smile which won’t go away and the pride at having achieved something unexpected, but underlying it all I’m probably the most calm I’ve been, ever, I think!

It’s difficult during the moment to express the gratitude for this wonderful gift. How do I put into words the feeling of accepting this (Black Belt) from you. I will try be worthy of this responsibility and to make you proud of me. You likened this to a journey and I feel like I have packed and for the first time there is no nagging feeling of forgetting something. I look forward to the journey ahead and the challenges, highs and lows, the friendships and fun. The friendship, that has been the best thing. My brother really surprised me tonight. He said “Now I understand why you love this” and it wasn’t the Ninjutsu, it was my brothers.

Thank you for being my friend and guide on this journey. Who knows where it will lead, but with my brothers, my buyu beside me, it’s guaranteed to be the journey of my life time.



I just wanted to say that without exception, every class I attend of yours, I take away much to cultivate. Thank you for making me so welcome, I appreciate that greatly.
 
Thank you for all you share with me Shidoshi, you really help me to fly within my taijutsu.  I am finding at times now that I simply borrow the technique as it presents itself.  Recognising that it is there is the key.  I used to want to own the technique, now I simply borrow it from the air and space around the uke.  This helps me to stay clear and not cluttered up with cognitive recall.  It truly is an amazing process.  From initial acquisition, to eventual emptiness.  As with all great understanding, to "let go" is the order of the day.  Of course one can only let go, when you have an idea what to let go of.  I am starting to understand the process now.  I am so glad that I found Budo Warrior Schools.  I believe in fete.  I believe it was time for me to find a system that truly cultivated me.  I also needed a teacher that was a realist.  Someone who looked at application in a defensive way yet understood the things that lay behind technique.  That person is you Shidoshi.  For me to finally find someone who can see my limits, can see my errors and can help me to truly grow, has, and still continues to be, the best martial arts experience of my life.  The irony for me is that all of the things that I cultivated within myself outside of the dojo's I have attended, that never suited the dojo's I attended, has great relevance to the taijutsu.  I have recognised many things that I have been fortunate to bring with me.  Not technique, but movement and principles.  So I did not waste 25 years of my life cultivating things that most look at me sideways when I mention.  It is all within the taijutsu, as it should be.  I have always known that I have been doing the right thing.  Unfortunately I did not find a school of thought and discipline that used it.  Now I have, and I am very grateful for that



Thanks for being there tonight, it meant a lot to me.  I can’t believe how quick the year has gone.  When I first read the introductory letter about Budo taijutsu changing your life, I never really understood how it could. Now I do...
 
I know at times I am a bit mad, and all I can say about that is being happy erases all the negative parts of my life.  Just over five years ago, I would never have imagined being where I am now, my life was going nowhere till I discovered Budo Warrior Schools, now I am an assistant instructor, for Budo Warrior Schools and I have started college which would have been the last thing on my mind before I started training. And I now have a clear picture of where I am going, with positive thoughts for the future.
 
Thanks for everything Shidoshi, you are the greatest Instructor and friend, I look forward to many more exciting years ahead...



...and meeting you Marc!!! Ha-ha that was funny beyond all reason and kinda scary!

Never good at the whole words thing but I wanted to let you know how much I appreciate your friendship and support, its really meant a lot to me over the past year. I was very touched by your gift and wanted to get you something in return, but its all just material so thought this meant more! Here's to the future, thank you.

I love him loads and he's like my surrogate father. one of the most caring people I know and I feel extremely lucky to have him as part of my life!

Hello Marc, just wanted to drop you a line and say that I found your motivational website by chance a month back or so. I just wanted to say how impressed I am. As a psychologist I see so many people miserable with their lives, myself included, and I just wanted to say how glad I am to know someone so balanced and so hard working that they have found a way to just be happy.

After attending one or two of your classes (wrestling with you) and seeing the way you are with people I have seen first hand how you really have a good genuine aura about you. I feel proud to know you! I'll see you soon.

I just wanted to say thanks again for one of the best seminars I have ever attended. Myself and my guys were blown away. It's a real pleasure to be in the presence of such friendly practitioners.