-Takamatsu Sensei 33rd Soke
There were two young monks in a monastery. The head monk turned to both of them and said, “It is time for you to take your journey.” The two monks nodded their heads and bowed clasping their hands in a prayer position. The head monk spoke again, “You must make a journey across the countryside to our sister monastery. Throughout your journey you must not speak a word and contemplate the feeling of letting go.” Again to two monks bowed their heads and walked away. The two monks began their journey. The journey was set on the most treacherous terrain. The two monks had to endure climbing rock formations and dealing with the harshest of weather, only knowing that the other monk was there with them. Even though they were dealing with these difficulties, they just smiled at each other and gave each other the motivation to continue on.
At one point in their journey they came across a beautiful women crying, standing at the edge of a river stream. The two monks approached her and the one monk removed his robe and wrapped the women in it and carried her across. The other monk followed. The monk then put her down and smiled. She said to the monk “thank you”. The monk spoke and said “you are most welcome.” The two monks were on their way. Throughout the rest of the journey the other monk’s smiles faded and his willingness to help disappeared. Soon enough the monastery was within eyes distance. The bitter monk could not hold his tongue any longer. He blurted out, “You spoke and weren’t supposed to! You have failed! You did not do what you were set out to do!” The other monk replied, “We were told not to speak, but find a way to let go of things. I only uttered four words. You have been holding onto this for most of the journey. It has made you angry. I only picked that women up for a few minutes then I let her go. You are still holding on to the four words I said. Let it go my friend, let it go.”
How many of us have had experiences that cause us to become bitter or angry? To be Ninja, you must possess the ability to let go of all grudges and free yourself through our natural ukemi (receiving). “So let it go!”
Ninpo Ikkan!
Luis Acosta
Bujinkan Nezumi Dojo
The following story was written by Pastor Joel Osteen and can be found in his book “Your best life now” It really shows the power of belief.
Nick was a strong, tough character who worked for a container yard. Nick was a good man, with a strong work ethic, but he had one tragic flaw; he was a negative thinker. One day at work, the boss sent everyone home early to prepare for a company event they were having. Nick unfortunately didn’t get the message and was inside a container when everyone left. Somehow Nick got himself locked inside of this container. He banged and banged on the doors until his knuckles were bloody and he screamed and yelled until he lost his voice. Nick realized that he was in a refrigerator container and that the temperature inside it would be well below freezing and that he only had limited time. Nick saw an old piece of cardboard and a pencil on the floor and, shivering feverishly, decided that if he was going to die in this container, he would at least journal his last hours of life. He began to write, “so cold in here. I can feel the temperature dropping and my body beginning to freeze. If they don’t save me soon, these may be the last words I ever write.” Sadly, these were the last words Nick ever wrote. His co-workers found him in a corner in the pre-natal position. The autopsy revealed that Nick had indeed frozen to death. This would be just a sad tragedy if it ended here, but it is also an enigma. The investigators later discovered that the refrigerated container in which Nick had frozen hadn’t worked for months. The temperature in that container when Nick died would actually have been about 61 degrees. Because of his strong belief, Nick froze in slightly colder than normal room temperature.
Belief is truly a powerful thing- Ask yourself ” What do I believe?” and it will happen for you.
-Luis Acosta
“A ninja was someone whose very existence expressed the spirit of Budo”
-Soke Dr. Masaaki Hatsumi
This thought as expressed in Hatsumi sensei’s book The Way of the Ninja-Secret Techniques is what I experience when I train with really good people . True Budo is needed now more than ever, so the ninja has a valued place in the modern world. The ninja were created out of necessity during a time of unbelievable violence and terror, sounds like 15th century Japan, but if you really look at it, it’s more like the 21st century and the ancient battlefields have changed. It’s good to know that we have a large group of dedicated warriors prepared to protect life.
The years that I had spent in New Jersey training both on my own with my group of students and with Shihan Jack Hoban and Shihan Chris Carbonaro taught me a great deal about the need for the Bujinkan and also what a great blessing it is to have access to this system of martial arts. It also taught a great deal about responsibility that I have to protect and preserve life.
Every lesson in the Dojo has value in the everyday world, especially the hidden ones. I am now just beginning to understand some of the lessons taught to me nearly 10 years ago. It’s all about balance, training, family, friends, career, ETC.
We spend a lot of time talking about space and being Kihon, but living life teaches these lessons daily. I suppose I can spend time writing about the history and traditions of Ninjutsu, but I think as important as that is, we also need to look at the lessons that apply to us today.
One important lesson is awareness, a lot of people live in a daydream–like existence never to realize the full potential that they possess. Bujinkan training helps me to stay “awake” and to push myself beyond my comfort zone. Another lesson is compassion, pretty funny to think about being compassionate to someone who has every desire to harm you, but we train in such a way that it allows us the option to be as compassionate as the situation allows us to be.
Respect is another lesson that can be mentioned , since we study a system with nearly 2000 years of tradition and culture to guide us in the correct path towards self mastery.
Honor is a great lesson to mention as it applies to the true nature of a warrior. This word had a tremendous impact on Japanese history and because of the Bujinkan it will have a greater impact on the world’s future.
We as students of Soke Masaaki Hatsumi need to carry this message to future generations. I only hope to someday repay my teachers for all that has been shared with me.
NINPO IKKAN!
-Luis Acosta
Bujinkan Nezumi Dojo
When you study Bujinkan Budo Taijutsu for some time you cease to see the world as a “normal” person would. I see the world devided between the wolves and sheep. The wolf is always on the hunt seeking it’s prey and searching for weakness. The sheep is comfortable and blind to the dangers of the world, being the prey. Many people choose one or the other, but the the ninja chooses to be the shepard. By being the shepard the ninja protects and leads the sheep to safety. That is what a warrior would do, that is who the ninja are…..warriors in the shadows.
Bujinkan Nezumi Dojo 
