Progress 12/03/2009
 
As the gradings approach (next week on Saturday), we will see certain students step up. What is important to understand is that, as the Sensei, I closely monitor all students' progress. This progress is measured over days and weeks, not months and gradings. It is important for all students to realise that gradings are simply a test of current skill and knowledge. Have trust in the senior ranks (Black Belts). Focus on achieving powerful techniques and a focused mind as a result of everyday training, rather than strictly the next grade.

 One of my favourite sayings I was told by my grandfather was, "Worry about the pennies and the pounds will take care of themselves". This, as most know, means that if we focus on saving the little things (pennies/cents) then we will have pounds/dollars to follow. In the same way: focus on each training session, developing the correct spirit and mental discipline, listen to the instructions and lessons given; and the gradings will take care of themselves.

 
 
This is an article from the past, but still informative and relevant...


What Fudoshin isn't...and other things you wont find here.
Darren Ball - Nidan. 2/3/03

A single art

Fudoshin is a system based on warrior training principles. The philosophy we embrace is that of the Bushi of ancient Japan. This word simply means 'warrior' and refers to all fighting men and women, including the class known as the Samurai. The Samurai's un-armed combat is usually referred to as Jujutsu. Actually, Jujutsu is in itself a concept of fighting which in general was applied to the warriors of ancient times. Our system is conceptually based, rather than technically based. This means that the concept of philosophy behind the training is focused on as being more important than the technique. 

As far as the techniques are concerned, you will find elements of Jujutsu, Judo, Karate, Aikido and usually many others. We use these systems to complement our philosophy of training in all areas of combat. You will find that all Martial Arts have similar concepts and are generally linked in their basic philosophies. This is the Fudoshin way. To study the arts in this way is to embrace the most ancient of combat training principles; if it works, use it. The Samurai did not care who owned a type of technique, or what school it was from. If it saved their lives, it was worth learning. Also, studying the concept rather than one particular style enables us to understand more about Martial Arts as a whole and we can become a more complete, true student of the Martial Arts. 

Many styles have different things to offer as well as their fields of specialty. At Fudoshin, we study areas of combat using techniques from multiple styles so that we may better understand the sciences of combat and the philosophy of Martial Arts.
 
 

These days when it comes to giving to charity there are always so many options. There are thousands of registered charities whose objectives are noble in helping out those with lesser fortune than ourselves. I oftentimes find myself thinking 'Why don't they all band together which would generate greater earning and marketing power and help more people'. The reason, of course, is politics. Certain people are motivated more by some things and less by others, and that is what having the freedom to choose is all about. I personally donate to a charity every month. I do this because I am passionate about their particular goals and objectives, but it doesn't mean that I feel less about other charities whoa re fighting other kinds of poverty, cancer ro child abuse. I also donate my time at the Dojo in order to try and stimulate, what I see as, a lacking area of personal and social development in the community.

 Charity, however, has become a word that is associated with various groups and organisations that, for some reason that escapes me, seem to be more interested in signing you up for a regular donation rather than being able to accept a once-off donation as well. I, for one, would like the freedom to choose whether or not I can contribute this one time or make a regular donation. Charity, it seems, has become a subscription service.

 Charity is an act of kindness. It is not something we do to allay our conscience. If there is no feeling behind it, or true meaning should I say, then the point is negated. Honour is another word that is either not used these days, or not used well. To be honourable is to be true to one's self (see previous post) as well as supportive. It is to be charitable. Down at the Dojo, I see a variety of personalities amongst the students, friends, parents, teachers and carers. Although not all of them are registered, training members, they all form part of our club. With the recent gradings, many issues have come to the surface. Some good, and some unfavourable. I am looking forward to the day where the Dojo can truly operate as one, with all members having similar goals and perspectives. One of mutual support rather than competitive attitudes. In Martial Arts, when you bow to your partner, you are trusting them. You are allowing them to use your body for the purpose of bettering themselves through training. This is something you do willingly, deliberately, because you care for their progression. As a result, they bow to you as well, returning the favour when it is your turn. 'Working together for mutual harmony/benefit' is a famous maxim in Martial Arts tradition, and it is something that should be embraced by all people at our club.

 As an experiment, ask yourself when was the last time you did something truly for someone else, with no hope or thought of anything in return. This is the attitude of a Sensei and his students, but maybe it should be the attitude of all peoples involved with Martial Arts.
 
 
Today is a very special day for Fudoshin. It marks the birthday of our founder, Robert Lawrence. After training extensively throughout Japan, Korea, the United States, France and in the U.K.; Bob Lawrence formed Fudoshin as an amalgam of his training. His motivations for doing this were that too many clubs, associations, organisations and instructors were embracing modern concepts of Martial Art which seemed to focus on competitions and gradings (i.e. belt-chasing). He could not find, any longer, anyone in his area of the U.K. teaching the Bushishin, or warrior spirit, the way he was taught it by his masters in Japan.

Robert Lawrence, in founding a system, is considered the Ryuso of the Fudoshin Combat System (Fudoshin Ryu). As the system grew larger in the form of more Dojo in more areas in and around south-east England, he also formed the Association of Oriental Fudoshin Arts (making him the Kaiso - or founder of a group/organisation). After a few years of operation, this soon became the British Fudoshin Association, with Soke Lawrence as the chairman/president (Kaicho).

Every year, on this day, we try and remember Soke Lawrence specifically in the form of training hard. We try and touch the essence of what he believed in so much - the truth of Martial Arts. As our Soke says to us often, "Only a true attack warrants a true defence", which send us down the path, what is the truth? What is this 'true way' that so many styles profess to teach, fewer styles profess to search for, and even fewer actually achieve?

The 'true way', or Seido, of Martial Arts is an entirely relative concept. Some people say that it relates to the most ancient of traditions. Sometimes this means that the ABC sword school is more 'true' because the XYZ school is 100-years younger. This, in my opinion is petty and politically motivated slander. What makes a style, a technique, a sensei or a student 'true' is in how that person or technique is applied. If there is any doubt in ones mind about the focus, power (both internal and external) and commitment one puts into any action or thought, then it is not a true technique.

  Unfortunately this leads some to believe that in order for a technique to be 'true', it must be done as fast and as visually powerful as possible, and that unless it could kill a man, or break through 4 inches  of wood. Nothing could be farther from the 'truth'.

 Shakespeare was on to something quite profound when he wrote "To thyne own self be true" (Hamlet), and the same goes for the spirit or 'truth' in Martial Arts. When we enter a Dojo, we are leaving all worldly thoughts behind us. All of the bother, stresses and anxieties of our daily lives behind us. The Dojo is a sacred place, a very special place. Not because it has the spirits of the ancestors residing in it, or something magical because of the 'energy' that goes with the name Fudoshin. There is no special qualities about my belt, my sword or my Dojo that make them more mystical. The thing that makes them special, or 'true' is what I myself do with them. I make my training special. I make my belts special. My sword, my spear, my club, my teacher, my students and my Dojo. They are special because they are special to me. Much is the same with the often elusive 'truth' we are searching for. It is nowhere external to be found, but it resides inside each of us, waiting to be awakened. How to awaken it? Now that is something for your Sensei to worry about, and something for the student to look forward to.
 
Family 06/18/2009
 

On Sunday, I found myself in a church in Mt. Eliza with my family (Nyree and Jasmine). I was attending the Christening of Gareth Lewis (Sensei Richard's youngest son), and I had the distinct honour of being asked for the position of Godfather. I had never been asked to be a Godfather before (or sponsors as they are now sometimes called). It was a very interesting ceremony, and I remember looking around often at the congregation. Here I was, in a sacred place and surrounded by people I didn't know (I had never even met the other Godparents!), yet I felt very comfortable. Not only because my own family were in attendance (Jasmine stole the show with her 'special' dancing), but because I was genuinely being invited into another family, one of spiritual, not necessarily Christian, significance. I have had a long relationship with Sensei Richard, a man I hold in high esteem already, and now I was part responsible for ensuring that Gareth spiritual growth throughout his life is a strong one. I left the church that day very thankful for my own family and my life in general.

After this, however, I headed for an event I had been looking forward to for a while. In the afternoon, I was fortunate enough to attend the first Australian DNBK Tai Kai. Some of the members of the Dojo belong to the Dai Nippon Butoku Kai - International Division (General Members), an organisation that has a very long and proud history in Japan for fostering the 'Budo Spirit'.

I accompanied Soke, Sempai Matthew, Sempai Cyril and Shamus to the Tai Kai (or gathering) in Reservoir. There we were treated to various workshops covering Jujutsu, Iaido and Jodo. We met up with some old friends and made some new ones also. It was a great day with the Tai Kai culinating in a 2-hour demonstration period where every Dojo demonstrated the various arts they practised and displayed their waza. We were there on the invitation of Renshi Kevin Walsh of Idokan Australia and one of the co-ordinators for Australia for the DNBK. The other co-ordinator, Hugh Doherty, is Yamagawa's patron to the organisation and was in attendance also. Here I found myself in a beautiful Dojo, surrounded by Martial Artists who were all there to train and learn (and some of them teach). I re-couped, a little, some of the 'spirit' I felt, especially with Doherty Sensei being there, that I felt in Kyoto last year. A great sense of family and sharing was felt - something I meditated on with pleasure later that evening.


Throughout the week, as some of you know, I teach many classes of a Martial Arts and Philosophical nature. Teaching Martial Arts and Life Skills programs across different schools (and the Dojo of course) allows me to gain many perspectives. I get the opportunity to observe different behaviours, both in individuals and families, and this week has been enlightening to say the least. This week I was very pleased to see someone new down the Dojo, someone who has always been welcome but probably not had the time to come down before. 


One of the classes I taught this week had me paying particular attention to a young man who had been having serious problems with their father. It is amazing how much each of us has the ability to affect others, and most of the time it is in ways that we can never truly know. After having some words with this young man, I found out that he loved the classes I was teaching and that he looked forward to them every week, something which was corroborated by his teacher.


I also recieved some feedback this week from a concerned mother. She felt comfortable enough to let me know how much her child appreciates the classes and that she was concerned about a few things. I don't recall these things to say how much Fudoshin and Martial Philosophy  can and does help people, but mainly to amphasis the following point: family is precious.


This week, I have been a father, husband, son, brother, mentor, teacher, Sensei, friend, confidant, friend, colleague, student and listener. I have operated as these things across the varying networks and 'families' of my life. The Dojo serves as a great 'family' where we commit ourselves to training. Training to destroy the ego and strengthen our spirit. The greater lessons in Martial Arts are about compassion, benevolence, patience and community. All the great masters of old had special insights into this. Our 'Fudoshin Family' is about helping our fellow students to achieve their potential, without concern for ours. This way, we are looking after each other, and in doing so we look after ourselves.

Picture
Meditation often leads to greater focus and stronger spirit. A great step to take in part of a family.

This Week...
  • A brother reached out to another and spoke about the importance of Budo and commitment in training.
  • A Prep class learnt the value of being safe as well as sincere...and gave lots of hugs.
  • A warrior bled in mock battle and was proud, apologetic and dissappointed at the same time.
  • A mother realised how lucky she is to have good people doing something amongst the many apathetic people doing nothing in her sons life.
  • A student who has a hard time not being a teacher relished in being a student again, if only for 10 minutes.
  • A teacher realised how hard some students work in doing things that seem so simple for other students.
  • A colleague and friend went out on a limb and refused to give up on someone on principal, despite how easy it would have been to let it all go.
  • A teacher gained a new appreciation for how long a little encouragement can go with young people.
  • A student learnt that quite often, underneath alot of anger and violence, some people just need a pinch of understanding
  • A friend remembered the true value of friendship

...what did you learn this week?





 
 

Dedication is a strange thing really. In my life, I come across many different types of people. From school teachers to administrators, primary and secondary school students, salespeople and parents. They all have various ways of showing dedication, and to various things.

Some people are dedicated to their jobs, their families and their friends; and all of these are very admirable of course. However, it is not too often that I find poeple very dedicated to an ideal, or a virtue. The majority of the people I encounter do not necessarily lack a moral centre, but they seem to change what is personally important to them depending on who they are with. This is saddening because it means that they lack courage and strength to 'stand up for what they believe in', something that we try and address at the Dojo.

Our Dojo is a not-for-profit club. It relies solely on volunteers to run, manage and organise it. I often see the few people who are involved in this and their dedication go un-noticed or un-acknowledged. Of course these people would not ask for recognition in the traditional sense, it goes against the spirit of humility, an important Samurai virtue. But recognition, acknowledgement and respect can come in many forms. It might be suprising for some to learn that no less than 43 hours a week are volunteered regularly to keep things working and available for the students, and that is on a regular week. Of course more is required when there are events to organise, communications with councils or local groups, advertising or fundraising ventures and such like. All of this is time spent away from the volunteers' own training and development. As has been recognised internationally, the power of volunteers in this world serves as a great example to everyone.

The dedication that these volunteers show every week, every lesson, is amazing. Amazing that they would choose to firstly put others before themselves, and for no other benefit than the simple pleasure of being part of something that enriches and develops people in the traditional Japanese Martial Arts, thus making them stronger human beings. I would personally like to acknowledge everyone who volunteers at the Dojo to help it stay strong and remind others to consider this.

There is no requirement to volunteer at the Dojo, although volunteers are always needed. It is perfectly fine to attend classes, pay your fees and go home, but before you see something wrong or inefficient, or even inconvenient; just take a moment to consider that all these volunteers themselves have lives outside the Dojo, lives consisting of the same pressures and pleasures that you yourself have. Yet despite this, they consistantly make efforts to bring the spirit and technical instruction of the Martial Arts to the mat, and maintain a club and facilities to ensure it is there for you again next week, next month, and indeed years to come.

I would like to suggest that next time, instead of pointing a finger, raise a hand.

 
First Post! 04/20/2009
 

Welcome to the blog for the Yamagawa Dojo. Here there will be updates and possibly even discussions from people about the training as well as a general Martial Arts blog from myself.

Please visit and comment frequently and the doors of the Dojo are open to everyone.
Gassho.

Darren Ball.

 

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