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Training in a martial art is both very challenging and very rewarding. Beginning in a new art is most challenging of all. here I go, once again, starting out in a new unfamiliar environment, trying to acclimate to the differences from my past training, and trying to assimilate things that I am only just beginning to understand. This art requires mental discipline, as well as physical training. It also requires stability in all areas of life in order to be effective. The wonderful thing is that this training is the impetus for striving for balance. It is a very good reason to work on improving all areas of life. I can not be apathetic or lackadaisical and progress. The only way to improve myself is to challenge myself.

I have only been training in Bujinkan Budo Taijutsu for a couple of months. At this point in my training I find myself experiencing a little bit of ‘culture shock’. The little Karate school, where I have both been training and helping to run for the past four years, is a tightly knit group and it has been my support and lifeline during a difficult transitional stage in my life. My decision to switch from Karate and Sanuces Ryu Jujitsu to Bujinkan Budo Taijutsu was not impulsive. I very carefully thought it through, examined it and realized from before I made the decision that it would certainly not be easy. In a sense it seems that I am somewhat alienating myself from people whom I love dearly. Also the whole way of moving and reacting in this art are very different from the rigid linear methods in Karate. I have things I must unlearn as well as new things to learn.

Why would I make this change then? There are actually a couple of reasons. I find that Karate, though good for discipline and coordination, is not really practical as a method of defense. I am not interested in sparring for sport. Sanuces Ryu Jujitsu is a very good system of self defense but there were some logistical problems in training in this art for me. Sanuces is a young art developed less than 50 years ago by a very gifted man named Dr. Moses Powell. My teachers were hundreds of miles away and our training plan with them fell through. I knew that without training regularly I would never progress. Fortunately I met an excellent teacher named Anthony Lucas of the Bujinkan Koteki Dojo online and through conversations with him over the course of a year I realized that he had the answers I needed in his Martial Art of Bujinkan Budo Taijutsu. I found a local Shidoshi, Tom Hilliard of the Cleveland Bujinkan Dojo, who is willing to train me and here I go!

The biggest and most important reason that I decided to make this change, however, was because I can see the authenticity of the nine schools of the Bujinkan. The Bujinkan is ancient and complete. The spirit and the traditions have been passed down from generation to generation to carefully selected descendants from ancient times. Each year the theme changes and we learn a different facet of the nine schools comprising the Bujinkan. The training covers all areas of life. Budo is not about fighting. It is not only self defense. It is also about living. Why should I go anywhere else?

Last night I trained with Tom Hilliard of the Cleveland Bujinkan dojo. We did our usual practise drills, zenpo kaiten, kohu kaiten, sokuho kaiten, ukemi, sanshin no kata, kamae, we worked ura and omote gyaku, and then we played with shukos. Last week Tom introduced the Kyoketsu-shoge, last night the shukos. We worked on sword technique and evasion as well. It was a very good class. Tom has showed us how to practice through the week on things like body movement, tai sabaki and postures. He is a good teacher. Tom has been training in the Bujinkan for 18 years. He goes to Japan every year to train and goes to many seminars. I am so fortunate to have Tom Hilliard Shidoshi, here in Northeast Ohio, and Anthony Lucas Shidoshi in New York City, New York, as my teachers and my friends. Both are licensed to teach in the Bujinkan and both have such good hearts. They are not out to make a name for themselves and only desire to share Budo. To me they are great men

Next weekend I will be travelling to New York City to train at my first official Bujinkan Budo Taijutsu seminar with Shidoshi Anthony Lucas. See his awesome site here: Bujinkan Koteki Dojo of New York City

On December 28 - 30, 2007 I took a trip from my town in Northeast Ohio to New York City to train in my new martial art of Budo Taijutsu (Ninjutsu) and to meet friends I have only spoken to online. I learned and experienced a myriad of things on this all too brief weekend journey.

The almost 8 hour drive to New York City was without incident and though long, it was peaceful and pleasant. I started out right after I left my job at 5:00pm, got gas and a little cash from the ATM machine and took off. I arrived in Manhatten around 2:00am and my Navigator GPS application on my Verizon cell phone was not helping me navigate in the city at all. It had done very well for me on the main freeways, but in the city it could not respond quickly enough to help me navigate. It would tell me to turn down a certain street and when I would turn it would keep telling me to turn down that road. I was totally frustrated by this and called my friend for help getting to my destination. My poor friend had to get up and go out to lead me in at 2:00AM! My friend is very kind and unselfish.

On Saturday I woke and got ready for training in Budo Taijutsu. What a fun time that was for me! I watched experienced practioners work their techniques, and then give them life. They move naturally and gracefully though powerfully. I met new friends and formed a true bond there.

I shared a beautiful time with my new family in a Reiki healing circle later on Saturday. I felt such joy and love and peace as they gave me the gift of attunement to the first level of Reiki. I felt such wonderful energy and love there. I doubt I could ever describe it with the limited medium of writing. I know this marks the birth of a new awakening in my life and I must say I am filled with eager anticipation for the things to come this year. I know this will be a very special year.

Later yet on Saturday night I was able to attend my friend’s family’s Christmas gift exchange party. What an uplifting experience this was! My friend’s family is a large and wonderful multiracial family consisting of African Americans, Asians, Caucasians and the blending of them in their magnificently beautiful offspring. I observed them as they gave gifts to one another, laughed, loved, shared and openly welcomed my friend’s group of friends into their gathering, though we had only met that day! I was filled with love and gratitude and experienced an entirely new reality. I feel a love and connection to them all because they are just that way… to lovingly welcome the friends of one of their family without question. Amazing!

 Finally, the trip back home had lessons for me as well. Shortly after my departure from New York City I encountered an ice and snow storm. The snow started covering the ground and cars slowed down considerably. Visibility was the biggest challenge as the blowing snow, my freezing windshield (I need new wipers) and the icy road  almost paralyzed me with fear for a moment. Two large firetrucks appeared behind me and as I cautiously changed lanes to allow them by I slid just a bit on the ice. I saw a car on its’ side with the emergency vehicles arriving just then. Suddenly the thought occured to me that this feeling must be similar to what the ancient warriors may have felt as the entered the battlefield. I envisioned having to press on and keep going though men were falling and dying around me. Suddenly I realized that we all have to face the moment of our death at some time and I said to myself, well if today happens to be my day, so be it. Just then a calm came over me and I was able to negotiate the traffic and roads in a new peaceful frame of mind. I was alert and aware but no longer afraid. After it passed and I made my way on to clear roads and skys I realized that this was the first time that I experienced gripping fear and conquered it.

This weekend was an awakening experience for me in so many ways. I have grown on several levels and I believe that this was mainly to mark my transition into a whole new life beginning in 2008.