| The essence of all Martial Arts
and military strategies is self protection and the prevention
of danger. Ninjutsu epitomizes the fullest concept of self-protection
through martial training in that the Ninja art deals with
the protection of not only the physical body, but the mind
and spirit as well. The way of the Ninja is the way of enduring,
surviving, and prevailing over all that would destroy one.
More than merely delivering strikes and slashes, and deeper
in significanse than the simple out-witting of an enemy; Ninjutsu
is the way off attaining that which we need while making the
world a better place.
The skill of the Ninja is the art of winning. In the beginning
study of any combative art, proper motivation is crucial.
Without the proper frame of mind, continous exposure to fighting
techniques can lead to ruin instead of self-development. But
this fact is not different from any other beneficial practice
in life carried to extremes.
Medical science is dedicated to the betterment of health
and the relief of suffering, and yet the misuse of drugs and
the exultation of the physician's skills can lead people to
a state where an individual's health is no longer within his
or her personal control. A nutritious well-balanced diet works
to keep a person alive, vital, and healthy, but grossly over-eating,
over-drinking, or taking in too many chemicals is a sure way
to poison the body.
Governments are established to oversee the harmonious inter-working
of all parts of society, but when the rulers become greedy,
hungry for power, or lacking in wisdom, the country is subjected
to needless wars, disorder or civil and economic chaos.
A religion, when based on faith developed through experience,
a broad and questing mind, and unflagging pursuit of universal
understanding, is of inspiration and comfort to people. Once
a religion loses its original focus, however, it becomes a
deadly thing with which to deceive, control and tax the people
through the manipulation of their beliefs and fears.
It is the same with the martial arts. The skills of self-protection,
which should provide a feeling of inner peace and security
for the martial artist, so often develop without a balance
in the personality and lead the lesser martial artist into
warped realms of unceasing conflict and competition which
eventually consume him.
If an expert in the fighting arts sincerely pursues the essence
of NINJUTSU, devoid of the influence 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". The combatant who would win must be in harmony
with the scheme of totality, and must be guided by an intuitive
knowledge of the playing out of fate.
In tune with the providence of heaven and the impartial justice
of nature, and following a clear and pure heart full of trust
in the inevitable, the NINJA captures the insight that will
guide him successfully into battle when he must conquer and
conceal himself protectively from hostility when he must acquiesce.
The vast universe, beautiful in its coldly impersonal totality,
contains all that we call good or bad, all the answers for
all the paradoxes we see around us. By opening his eyes and
his mind, the Ninja can responsively follow the subtle seasons
and reasons of heaven, changing just as change is necessary,
adapting always, so that in the end there is no such thing
as a surprise for the Ninja.
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