Bujinkan Cornwall

HIDEN

“I am now riding around the world on a Pegasus. One day some thirty years ago Takamatsu Sensei said to me “Hatsumi San, In training you have to become an insect. Training means becoming an insect, clutching onto the tail of a horse. Do this and you will quickly be able to cover a thousand miles with that horse….”. I can still remember how he looked through the tobacco smoke, just as though it were yesterday.”

Hatsumi Sensei - Sanmyaku

Where is the Kihon in your Kihon?

SEISHIN TEKI KYOYO

I said to the almond tree,
“Sister, speak to me of God,”
And the almond tree blossomed.

Saint Francis of Assisi

SEISHIN TEKI KYOYO - RAKYO

“Makyo do not occur when you are dawdling,
Neither do they appear when your practice has ripened….
They indicate the intensity of your concentration”

Yasutani Roshi on the occurance of Makyo (Illusions) during meditation

SEISHIN TEKI KYOYO - ZEN

A man once approached Zen Master Ikkyo and asked for some words of wisdom to help him with his life…….

Master Ikkyo replied:

“attention, attention, attention means attention”

SEISHIN TEKI KYOYO - MESO

The wind turns a ship
From its course upon the waters:
The wandering winds of the senses
Cast man’s mind adrift
And turn his better judgement from its courses.
When a man can still his senses
I call him illuminated.

Bhagavad-Gita

SELF DEFENCE - ENTERING/LEAVING A VEHICLE

Many don’t believe this at first but you can be very vulnerable when you enter and leave a car. Consider the following points when entering and leaving your vehicle: -

• When you approach your vehicle hold your keys in your hand ready. Keys not only open the door to your car they are also tools for self defence and escape.
• Always be alert in car parks they can be breeding places for car crime.
• Be aware where you park. If you park in deserted car parks or down back streets be especially aware when you enter and leave your vehicle. It is better to park your car close to public areas as this will limit the probability of it being damaged or stolen as well as it being used as a trap for abduction. Remember areas which are friendly during the daytime may not be the same at night!
• Never leave your vehicle unlocked even if you just intend to quickly go to the local shop or pay for some fuel.
• Never pull over into a back alley if someone gestures for you to stop. Even if there may be a problem with your vehicle first find a safe well lit public place to stop.
• Never get out of a car one leg at a time as your car door can be used as a battering ram to severely injure your leg. Hold the door open and push your feet to the ground simultaneously bracing the door with your shoulder. This way if someone tries to slam the door into you the force of the blow will be absorbed by your shoulder ( rather like a shoulder barge). Hold your keys in the hand you are not using to hold the door as this enables you to use them as a tool for escape or to immediately swing back into the car, lock all the doors, start the engine and leave.
• Learn to trust your instincts they are often correct.

REMEMBER: The best form of self defence is to never put yourself in harms way in the first place.

These articles are for information only and we at Bujinkan Cornwall cannot accept any responsibility for loss, injury or death occuring to anyone who finds themselves in this kind of situation. We suggest that self defence should be taught directly from a licensed and insured martial arts training hall with a qualified professional instructor.

SELF DEFENCE - PETROL STATIONS

Many crimes have been reported occuring at petrol filling stations. Consider the following when you fill up the tank on your car.

1. When you go to pay for your fuel lock your car, especially if you have a child or children in the car, as many abductions have occured in this format.
2. When you pay for fuel lock your car’s rear doors as there has been a trend in parts of the UK and US where abductors have crept into the back seat and waited until the driver has returned only to threaten them and take them hostage.
3. Upon returning to your car return passing the rear of the vehicle first checking the back seat.
4. If you see someone learking there simply return to the petrol station acting as if you have forgotten something and call the police.
5. Once the police have been called DO NOT return to the car stay in a place of safety until the police have arrived and dealt with the villain.

These articles are for information only and we at Bujinkan Cornwall cannot accept any responsibility for loss, injury or death occuring to anyone who finds themselves in this kind of situation. We suggest that self defence should be taught directly from a licensed and insured martial arts training hall with a qualified professional instructor.

NINPO

When I was sick for five years, I could not even stand up. I sat in the dojo and gave lessons to my students. Those five years increased my current shinkiryoku (spiritual power) and my ability to move freely…

When you are stuck on something, it is important to hold to your purpose but not press onward against the current. When you cannot move at all, try to concentrate, continuing forward as if in a boat switching to a stronger motor.

The keiko that is most important when you cannot move is kage no keiko (shadow training).

Masaaki Hatsumi - Ninpo Wisdom for Life

KUDEN

“If an expert in the fighting arts sincerely pursues the essence of ninjutsu,

 devoid of the influences of the ego’s desires,

the student will progressively come to realize the ultimate secret for becoming invincible

 - the attainment of the ‘mind and eyes of God.”

Soke Takamatsu Toshitsugu