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From 術心悟 by goshinarts

While in Bangalore,  I had the unexpected pleasure of spending time with Arnaud from France as well as Shiva, our gracious and good natured Indian host.  These delightful times instantly reminded me of a painting done by the monk Sengai.  Three gods of happiness are pictured.   Daikoku Ten, whom some may recognize from the statue outside Hatsumi Sensei`s office, is  originally from India.  He is not only a god of protection, war, and prosperity, but, auspiciously, he is an incarnation of the Hindu god Shiva!   Second is Juroku Jin, or the god of Longevity.  Often pictured leaning on his cane, he is usually in a most jovial mood.  Lastly, there is Ebisu, indigenous to Japan, he is a god of prosperity often pictured with a fishing pole enjoying his fresh catch of the day.

 

Above them is Sengai`s inscription;  “Three prosperities, make them one and enjoy a big happiness tea!”  As Takamatsu Sensei says, “Cherish your connections…”.  Thru others we enrich and are enriched.  How wonderful it would be to set aside notions of higher and lower, good and bad, and blend one fantastic happiness tea!  The true treasure of Nin lies therein.

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From Shiro Kuma's Weblog by kumafr

As for many of you I have been watching extensively the frenzy around the nuclear problem in Japan. Journalists are speaking without knowing and they are “honestly” transforming the news (I think it is hopeless) to get more viewers. At the same time our politicians see here a good way to cash easy votes. Do not believe everything on the news, make you own inquiry. I do not want to minimize the nuclear accident that happened but the attitude of the media is just not correct.

For those interested and concerning the nuclear problem, I received this link today and I thought that it would help many to understand what is a nucelar plant and what has happened in Japan after the earthquake and the Tsunami: http://theenergycollective.com/barrybrook/53461/fukushima-nuclear-accident-simple-and-accurate-explanation

As far as I know, the main problems that our Japanese friends are facing are the repeated earthquakes and the consequences of the Tsunami. Relatively (so far) the nuclear problem seems to me as not being so important. Thousands of people have died because of the tsunami and the country will have difficulties with food, gas, and elctricity.

I hope that all our friends there will get over these bad times and that Japan will recover fast from this nightmare.

Also I invite you to read Duncan’s last post with the possible interpretations of the theme of the year: kihon happô at http://tazziedevil.wordpress.com/ it is excellent!

I am still going to Noda mid April (unless our politicians forbide it and/or the situation evolves in an unexpected dramatic manner).

 

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From Shiro Kuma's Weblog by kumafr

 

Dear friends,

I hope that Hatsumi sensei, the Japanese Shihan, and all our friends training and/or living in Japan are in good health after this major earthquake (8.9 on the richter scale).

Stay tune with facebook as many of our friends in Japan communicate  through this network.

Arnaud

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From 術心悟 by goshinarts

Below is a picture of a daruma that I drew recently.  The inscription is the single character “cut” kiru 斬. Many often assume this means to cut your opponent.  But in fact, this daruma is telling us to cut through ourselves.  To cut thru our fixed notions and illusions.

My teacher once during training pointed to his head and said, “No Nou!” ; a play on words meaning “no brain” or no thinking.  Then he playfully pointed to his heart and said, “Yes yes!”. Yes is the Japanese pronunciation for christ.  He was referring to our pure hearts.  For the pure heart of man is that which has communication with the divine.

Many people get trapped intellectualizing and spend much time scurrying around like a mouse in a maze.  Like the Ri or Shu Ha Ri, we must eventually separate from our knowledge.  Forget our intellect and let knowledge be. When we can do this, wisdom will rain down.

This year we have the theme Rokkon Shojou.  Wishing you the best on your martial journey!

Paul

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From 術心悟 by goshinarts

The moth is drawn to the flame and dies.  It never knows the vast freedom of the sky.  The crow feasts on dead rats and the garbage by the curb.  It knows not the taste of fresh spring water or the myriad of nature`s abundance.

How many people, a slave to their desires (rokkon, six senses), fly to the flame? In search of positions of honor or prestige they beg at the table for scraps.  Throw away yourself, purify your senses, leave your begging bowl behind and know that you are the king! Verses tomorrow`s fame and fortune, I rise my sake cup to you today!

Paul

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