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Yojo Shiketsu - A Ninja Master's "Suggestions For Power"

Author: Jeffrey Miller
Date Posted: November 12, 2008

According to Toshitsugu Takamatsu Sensei, the 33rd Grandmaster of the Togakure Ryu Ninja Tradition and eight other schools of traditional Japanese martial arts, there are four main points of which to be mindful for the preservation and maintenance of one's health. This article provides a commentary on these four points and some thoughts on each for your own life and training.

Often, the simplicity of Takamatsu-sensei's, as any true master's, lesson are lost on mmany Western students. Add to this, the fact that, buried within a simple statement is the implication that your teacher should help you to understand the significance of each lesson, and you can see why many of the secrets of ancient masters are still just that... secret.

In this article, I'll try to convey the ideas within Takamatsu-sensei's Yojo Shiketsu "4 Suggestions for Power" in a way that's easy to understand. You should still try, however, to look at each lesson and commentary and develop the idea even more deeply for yourself.

Remember: these lessons were passed down from a true master who understood more than merely punching, kicking, blocking, and other tricky martial arts moves. These lessons are from someone who spent his entire life understanding what it meant to be truly strong, capable, and compassionate - the traits of a true master warrior - not just a martial artist. And, they were meant for students who wanted to become true master warriors themselves.

The 4 Suggestions For Power

1. Remove anger to preserve your personality.

A great deal of effort is required to develop the ability to be patient instead of becoming angry when negative or undesirable things happen. It's important to create and foster humility in one's personality to avoid the unhealthy affects that result from stress. It's been said that we are what we think about most. If this is true then we must guard against the negative effects of others, of our environment, and of the emotional wanderings of our own heart.

2. Remove excessive thoughts to preserve one's nerves.

Avoid spending too much time thinking about trivial matters. Doing so will only cause you to become scattered and unable to focus on your goals. If you spend all of your time chasing after and thinking about those things that mean very little in the scheme of your life, you will have little time left to reflect on and make decisions about those things that really matter. Take time to cultivate the ability to calm and quiet the mind in order to develop the focus necessary to see clearly.

3. Remove excessive talk to preserve one's spirit.

The ninja have always been known for their ability to gather information; not give it! Avoid excess chatter for the sake of having 'something' to say. Save your energy for when it's really needed and avoid squandering it on idle and unnecessary speech or conversation. Develop the ability to listen in order to avoid being trapped within the delusional thoughts of others or committing yourself to unsound plans.

4. Remove desire to preserve the heart.

The teachings within the Buddhist mind-science liken the activities of the untrained mind to that of a tree-full of chattering monkeys. It is constantly in a search and passionate exploration of frivolous wants and desires. "l want this; I want that; I want to be rich; I don't want to be poor; I want people to notice me; I don't want to be lonely; etc.," goes the mind's almost non-stop chatter. Of course all desires are not wrong, but let us temper our desires with compassion for others and seek for ourselves that which will benefit everyone.

I hope that my students, both local and those living away from my dojo, will make every effort to live up to these four point in their daily lives. Takamatsu-sensei said that these 4 points are very difficult to accomplish, but with time, patience and practice, you will get positive results from your efforts.

About The Author

Jeffrey Miller is the founder and master instructor of Warrior Concepts International. A senior teacher in the Japanese warrior art of Ninjutsu, and a former federal police officer, undercover agent, private investigator, and bodyguard, he specializes in teaching the ancient ways of self-protection and personal development lessons in a way that is easily understood and put to use by modern Western students and corporate clients. Through his powerful programs, you will learn proven, time-tested lessons designed to help you create the life you've always dreamed of living, and the skills necessary for protecting that life from anything that might threaten it.

To learn more about real-world self-defense training and other subjects related to the martial arts, self-defense, personal development & self-improvement, visit his website at http://www.warrior-concepts-online.com For more free tips, strategies, and lessons for making yourself more safe in this often unsafe world, don't forget to subscribe to his powerful and informative online newsletter.

Article Source: JKD Street Combat - online collection of Ninjutsu articles.

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