The pursuit of truth and the dojo

 



On a beautiful clear day in Japan, the Sakura (cherry blossom) petals were falling to the ground. As the Sakura represents a new beginning, a new season, and the passing from one stage to another, they are essentially the symbol of life’s renewal. The calming and cleansing experience of these falling petals inspires us to pursue what we truly desire. The cherry blossom, as the emblem for the Shinken Bujutsu school, was chosen for exactly this reason: Shinken Bujutsu was born in pursuit of the truth within the martial arts.
 
 The place where the martial arts are practiced is called a Dojo. The first character to the left is “Do” which means “the way” or “the path.” The second character to the right is “Jo” which means “the place.” Dojo, therefore, means “the place that teaches the way.” Though the martial arts at first may seem to be only a physical activity, the “way” to which Dojo refers is not simply a physical one – it is also an inner path or journey. Hard training develops character and attributes including, but not limited to, patience, courage and fortitude. In a physical sense, to build the body you need physical resistance. Likewise, the mind is strengthened by an analogous resistance. Words can’t just be committed to memory . . . they must be learned by experience. Ultimately, a highly-developed person realizes that their true competitor is within themselves.
 
 Dojo a metaphor for life!
 
When training is difficult, the Dojo becomes a microcosm of similar everyday experiences, facilitating the learning of important life lessons. To be successful in the Dojo a student must adjust their behavior to balance how hard to train, appropriate rest, diet, and proper attitude. In addition, as in life, students must learn to control their emotions in difficult situations. Sometimes you will be in a situation that may cause you to want to quit, but this makes you confront your inner self and will help you change and grow into a stronger person.It is true that a person will excel if they pursue that which they truly love.
 
Written by Shinken Bujutsu Kaicho 

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