SHIN SHIN MUGENDO

SHIN SHIN MUGENDO SHIN SHIN MUGENDO:
MIND BODY INFINITE WAY SHIN SHIN MUGENDO:
MIND-BODY INFINITE WAY

09/02/2019

BUDO RELEVANCE

Too often in the martial arts we tend to think in terms of who can beat whom. The concept of, “Who is the toughest person?” has only limited meaning in true martial arts.

If we can accept a basic premise for martial arts, “The protection of people and the preservation of society”, one individual’s ability to defeat another has little meaning. How does two big, athletic young people fighting each other relate to a 100-pound woman defending herself against a 200-pound assailant? Moreover, how does a contest help someone keep their family and loved ones safe?

Self-defense in real life is not necessarily a contest of equals. Nor does it occur in a controlled environment. The reason for constant practice is to develop the skills required to respond effectively in any situation.

However, there is a certain emptiness in the martial arts if we don’t have a philosophy of our art. Teachers of old have left us with valuable philosophies that we should take seriously.

Karate’s Gichin Funakoshi has given us his “Dojo Kun”. This really encompasses true martial arts:
*Seek perfection of character
*Respect others
*Be faithful
*Endeavor
*Refrain from violent behavior

If we can live up to those precepts, we can consider ourselves true budoka.
—Ben Otake

05/29/2019

There is a certain arrogance in believing that you are the ultimate arbiter in any situation.
If you have all the answers, your world is too small.....Ben Otake

04/09/2019

HUMANKIND SHOULD BE A DESCRIPTION!....Ben Otake

03/30/2019

If you resort to force, you have lost your argument.....Ben Otake

03/21/2019

One of the joys in life is learning something new or seeing something old in a new light.
I feel sorry for those who think they know everything.....Ben Otake

02/25/2019

IN SEARCH OF BUDO

Nowadays, almost any fighting method is labeled a martial art. Technically, I guess this is true. Fighting is martial. But how much of an art it is can be disputed. The goal with many fighting systems is to demonstrate how tough an individual one is. People just want to prove that they are the biggest and baddest. How beneficial is this to the rest of society? I personally believe that budo should be to preserve society and protect people. To this end, being “king of the hill” serves no maeningful purpose.

One person’s ability to defeat another depends upon the person’s skills. A bigger, stronger, more athletic individual will usually have the edge over his opponent. However, these traits are specific to each person. You cannot pass on such abilities to someone else. What CAN be passed on is knowledge. Knowledge can help another person to develope their own skills. In order to keep people safe, we don’t need to make the big, strong person into a better fighter. Instead, we need to find a way for each person to safely navigate the real world.

To be relevant as a self-defense, budo needs to undergo an honest evaluation of its techniques. Too often we become enamoured with flashy, showy techniques that may not even work. Budo must be grounded in reality. Beyond the physical, there is a deeper aspect to budo. Judo’s Jigoro Kano offered the axiom of ‘mutual welfare and maximum benefit’. Karate’s Gichin Funakoshi’s affirmation was to ‘seek perfection of character’. Both statements succinctly profess what should be the true aim of budo.
Ben Otake

01/20/2019

Shin Shin Mugendo classes are held at Camarillo Shotokan, 1330 Flynn Rd., Ste. A,
Camarillo, CA, USA, weekly on Saturday mornings from 11:00 to 12:30.

01/20/2019

FAILURE IS ONLY ONE STEP ON THE PATH TO SUCCESS.....Ben Otake

From 2018
12/10/2018

From 2018

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1330 Flynn Road
Camarillo, CA

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11am - 12:30pm

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