Over the last few years I have talked to several of my fellow Ninjutsu practitioners who have become frustrated with their studies in the ninja art. For one reason or another they feel they are missing something in their training and consider leaving behind the study of our amazing art. It is always a shock to me to hear this, not so much from the newer Ninjutsu practitioners, but from some who have been in it for years. Don’t get me wrong, people are supposed to grow and change, and maybe they just outgrow their desire to study modern Ninjutsu as a self-protection method.

Even I had a similar experience when I was just in my second year of studying the art. However, after making it over that hump in my road, I realize now, 9 years later, that the true issue was that I felt the art – or someone in it – owed me something. Something to make my experience better.

In my instance, I wanted my teachers Mr and Mrs. Hayes to give me specific specialized training. Mrs. Hayes’s response was “remember why you came here.” First, I did not understand and I almost left Ninjutsu for good. Lucky for me, after a month of meditating on that phrase I got my answer. I had left my friends and family in New Jersey and moved 600 miles to Ohio just to study Ninjutsu with my teacher. It was because Ninjutsu, as an art for self-protection and personal development and growth, had everything I felt a true warrior needed.

Now, years later, this did not suddenly change. In my opinion people forget that Ninjutsu translates into the “Art of Perseverance; Endurance; Stealth; Success.” Traditionally, ninja had to be proficient in 18 methods of study which were to help the ninja survive and succeed against the odds. Furthermore, if what the ninja needed was something not encompassed in these 18 methods then he or she would go out and get it. You can’t accomplish success if you do not have the knowledge to apply.

Today, this is no different. I believe this is the greatest lesson of Ninjutsu. The name does not translate into a collection of techniques, one who can throw the fastest punch, choke out the most people, or hide the best. It is the Art of Success. Thus, the truth is that seeking, receiving and applying what you need to be successful is true Ninjutsu. I hear too often practitioners saying they aren’t getting from ninjutsu what they need, and I challenge that with, “then your aren’t growing in Ninjutsu.”

If something is missing from your ninjutsu training, then you need to go and get it. Next time you doubt your study or your teacher, remember no man knows all the answers. Ninjutsu takes this into account and tells you to be the change you want to see. Don’t forget, getting what we need to feel accomplished, and successful is one of the goals of the ninja. But don’t get it and keep it to yourself, others in your circle may be able to benefit from it. They may be looking for that which you have sought. This is why ninjutsu has survived and grown over the ages. My teacher did it, his teacher did it, I will do it and you should too.

Be the Change you want; be the growth we need.

Be the Ninja

He who is a warrior does not strive for perfection, for he knows this is unattainable. Instead, he acknowledges his imperfections and, by doing so, tries to be his best at what he is, and what he believes in his heart is right. The true warrior knows that with power comes responsibility. Therefore, he accepts his responsibility and power by using it to better himself, his family, his community, and his country. The true warrior does not abuse or blindly lead others with his knowledge and power. Instead, he shares it, and as a result, others follow the truth and light of his sincerity and love. For the true warrior, every place he is present, he is there serving the hearts, minds and souls of others as best he can. He is their protector, their friend, their leader, their counselor, and their equal. Some may see his strength and envy or hate him for it. Some may view it as greater than their own and bow to it. And some may want to take it away. However, no matter what they feel towards him, the true warrior loves them just the same. Strength and love are joined in his heart, and manifested in his actions and speech toward all things in the same manner.

-This is his heart, his will, and soul as a warrior.-

Recently, I was standing at the ticket counter at a movie theater when the cashier noticed the logo on my shirt. “Isn’t that the logo for the martial arts school downtown?” she excitedly asked. “Yes,” I answered. She then proceeded to tell me that she had previously studied martial arts at another school, but quit because the teacher required her to learn not just the techniques but the names of them and phrases specific to that martial arts. She said learning all this stuff was “way too much work to get a black belt,” and that all she wanted was to hit things and, in the process, get a black belt.

On a separate occasion, I had a young man come to a  trial class. He was very excited to be learning ninjutsu and assured me that he was a serious student. After that trial class he left in smiles. I later received an e-mail from him, saying that he was really interested in learning the secrets of ninjutsu, but felt the 45-minute trial class focused too much on the basics — strikes, rolling, and simple defenses. I replied, explaining that, since I had not known him before that class, the first class is to give a basic experience of the system as well as assess his skills.However, even with a good foundation his dedication, practice and understanding would be the only true way to learn the secrets of ninjutsu. He could not just walk in and learn everything in his first class or first few months. He replied, saying he did not feel that, although he was a beginner in ninjutsu, there was a point in having to study, over the long-term, to master the ninja arts. Both these experiences, coupled with many more, led me to realize that there is a lack of understanding in what it takes to be a true master of martial arts. I encounter these situations often, and I can only conclude that people don’t see mastering martial arts like they see mastering other arts in our society. I believe part of this is due to the rise of commercialism in martial arts. Also, with the rise of competition and show schools (schools that compete with flashy forms), most people see martial arts as a form of receiving praise and personal glory, instead of a life-changing explorative art. People see martial arts like a movie montage; they expect to walk in a school this month and walk out next month with a black belt and all the secrets, with no real work put in.

The truth is, just like mastering anything, it takes dedication, training and scholarly study. A chef, for instance, goes to school and studies for years, learning theory and practical training.
A friend of mine, who is a master mechanic, goes to a new training school every few months to maintain his master status.
Even after getting their licenses, lawyers are always updating their information. In all these cases, people had to study for years, learning terms, theory and practical knowledge. In all of our lives, in order to be good at what we do, it takes plenty of dedication and practice. Unfortunately, the movies, as well as some ambitious school marketers, sell the idea of short-term mastery. Anyone can go to art school and learn how to draw a few shapes and, in very little time, how to turn those shapes into decent pictures. However, only a few will become master artists, having mastered the use of those basic shapes to the point of being able to draw true works of art. People wanting true mastery will spend the time and endure the tribulations to gain it. They may dream about the montage of mastery but they understand that only true dedication is the way to mastery.

I have been in martial arts for more than 24 years, and I am no master. However, I am in the mastery level of training. This is OK in my life because I am dedicated to being the best I can be in what I do. If something is not for you, that is OK, too. Just try not to believe that gaining mastery is as easy as a montage.

I have been a board member for the Rape Crisis Center for nearly a year. I accepted the position because I have a passion about empowering my community in the field of safety and protection. I have been aware, for several months, of the high rate of sexual assaults, domestic violence, and home invasions in Fayetteville. And that’s not including those cases that are not reported to authorities.

In my opinion, some of this is due to the high volume of deployed husbands and boyfriends serving at Fort Bragg and Pope Air Force Base. To help counter this, I have offered very affordable, and even free, women’s self-defense classes through my school and the Rape Crisis Center. However, these efforts met with little success.

Then this past January, the local news focused on a serial rapist. Suddenly people have been very interested in self-defense classes. Although I’m happy people are taking a strong interest in self-defense classes, I’m more concerned about the underlying mindset, which is that all you have to do is take a two-hour class to feel safe.

The truth is that the people in these classes have taken the first steps towards empowerment, but there has to be real, on-going training. If you think about it, the bad guy is always training. Taking from others is how they fulfill their need for money, drugs, or sexual dominance. Anyone who wants to be able to perform a task under stress will tell you that it takes practice. Lots of it. Even if were talking about taking a class in any other discipline, in order to be truly proficient you have to train.

Granted, a lot of times self defense is merely staying aware of your surroundings, and not looking like a victim, etc. These things are simple to remember, but one must stay vigilant enough to perform them as we move about our normal day.

The other aspect is physical defense. Most people buy pepper spray, a gun, or a knife, and feel they are now safe. But they never take the time to train with that weapon, to learn how to properly use it, and then learn how to use it under the stress of being attacked.

The biggest misconception is that it’s easy to pull out a gun, pepper spray, or a knife to defend yourself. The truth is quite the opposite. If it was so easy, then why do military and law enforcement have continuous training to master these instruments? Well, simply put, they do it in order to be proficient and stay proficient.

Training your mind and body is the key to true safety. You can’t do it just once; it has to be on-going.