TAKING THE FIRST STEPS

Do the difficult things while they are easy and

 do the great things while they are small.

A journey of a thousand miles

 must begin with a single step.

`                               Lao Tzu

     “Oh, that old chestnut,” one might be inclined to comment out of modern cynicism. True, this simple quotation from the Dao De Jing (道德經), may seem trite, a cliché; however, such an adage, a truism, which dates back to the 4^th century BC, holds a truth, a simple truth, that should not be so easily dismissed. As a teacher of Japanese budō, martial arts, I have often used this quotation in order to explain to new students or frustrated, disappointed students alike, that the path that they follow, be it a long one, must be taken in small steps. So it is if one chooses the path which will lead to the simplification of one’s life. Small steps are one of the keys to studying the arts, or the use of the Japanese katana (sword), playing the piano, or even learning something new on one’s computer — one foot in front of the other. Such steps need not be great steps, long steps, gigantic leaps, but only small ones. One should never rush down a path to their destination — small steps are better.

     So to, when one begins on a resolute journey toward the simplification of their life, small steps are better. Indeed, small steps means that such a passage will take time, but isn’t the rush-dash of modern life one of the very things we hope to pull ourselves away from?

     Clichéd or not, if one is able to accept this simple admonition, then they are thus freed to begin to achieve their goal of simplicity. Remember, as Confucius said, “Life is really simple, but we insist on making it complicated.”

     The first step one must take is indeed seems a simple one; yet it is deceptive. It requires discipline. To quote the Dalai Lama, “Spend some time alone every day.” Yes, alone, with no distractions; just you and your thoughts. Once one has become able to spend time just with themselves, they can progress to the next step. In that solitude, one should list for themselves the top five or six things that are most important to them in their lives. One must ask one’s self honestly, what is most important to them? What is of the most value to them? What five or six things do they most want to do in and with their life? The process of simplification begins with the setting of such priorities. One should ask, “How can I make room for these priorities? How can I make the time?”

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Strategy in Amatai no Shugo-ryū (Part 4): Strategies for 2010

      

     As we have seen, strategy is a plan of action that is intended to accomplish a specific goal.  Tactics are methods that one utilizes to achieve a particular end or goal; thus, strategy refers to one’s general plan of action and one’s tactics are the methods used to accomplish that plan.  Methods can themselves be categorized into techniques, which will enable one to establish the proper frame of mind and action that will lead to the efficient accomplishment of their goals.

      This is so vital to one’s success in the dojo and one’s success in Kenjutsu; however, with the new year of 2010, we should also be aware that it is these same things – strategy, tactics, techniques – which can play as equally vital a role in our daily lives as in the art of swordsmanship.  Let us look to Miyamoto Musashi for his insight into this “strategy for life.”

      In Go Rin Sho, his Book of the Five Rings, Musashi made two points concerning this.  First, that one must choose a goal before one can accomplish it; and secondly, the more difficult one’s goal is, the more effort they must put into achieving it.  Now, Musashi’s goal, one he established before even reaching his teens, was (even though perhaps unspoken) to become a great swordsman:  the greatest in Japan.  An extraordinary ambition for anyone let alone a youth in Sengoku Period Japan.

      There are probably few goals in modern life that could compare with the goals that Musashi set for himself; however, all accomplishment, all success starts with goals.  Musashi tells us to be ambitions in setting goals; ambitious goals will help one to focus their energies, abilities, and actions to their maximum effort.

      New years, it is said, is a time of resolution.  With the coming of 2010, we should reflect on our lives, what we have achieved and what we have failed to achieve.  We should take the time to think of what we want and can do in the coming year.  We should then take the time to form strategies, and determine the tactics and techniques that will enable us to achieve our goals and be successful; be it at our job, in our homes, with our families, or with ourselves.  Realistic goals, well-thought strategies, carefully selected tactics and techniques, should make 2010 a good year for us all.

Strategy in Amatai no Shugo-ryū (Part 3)

     One might well ask, “What is the difference between strategy and tactics, or between tactics and technique?”  Well, they are each distinctively different; yet, they also go hand in hand.  Remember, we have defined strategy as a plan of action that is intended to accomplish a specific goal.  Tactics can be defined as a procedure, or a set of maneuvers which one engages in to achieve a particular end or goal.  So then, strategy refers to one’s general plan of action and one’s tactics are the methods used in order to accomplish the plan.

      Methods can be categorized even further into techniques.  Techniques, with practice, will instill in one the intuitive response that will enable one to act within a tactical frame of mind and efficiently accomplish their strategic goals through the interaction of the sword.

      As mentioned above, strategy, tactics and techniques go hand in hand and thus, often overlap.  It is important to keep in mind however, the distinctions between them.  Too illustrate, let us consider a reaction to a straight, downward strike with a katana.  The basic goal, the strategy, is to cut the opponent without being cut.  There are numerous ways to accomplish this particular goal.   One tactic that could be employed to achieve this end would be to move to one’s side, then counter strike.  A technique which could be utilized to do this would be for one to step forward and to the right with the right foot, whle rasing one’s sword overhead; then pivot back and out of the way with the left foot while executing a downward cut or lateral, decapitating strike.

      Strategy then, is something that is accomplished by means of tactics, which in turn, consist of techniques.  By being aware of the different facets of each encounter, one allows themselves the opportunity to focus their attention in such a manner that the effectiveness of one’s training is taken full advantage of.  By examining an encounter in broad terms, one can determine their goal.  By narrowing one’s perspective, one can then determine what tactic(s) best suit the accomplishment of that goal.  Having done so, one should then select the techinque0s) which will make up the tactics and then practice them until they are literally done without conscious thought:  automatic or intuitive.  Practice, however, does not stop there.  One needs to practice and practice more until one’s reflexive abilities and knowledge are such that we perform them at the very instant they are needed.  One might consider it in this way:  one’s goal is reflexive abilities and knowledge that “kick in” automatically the second they are required.  The tactic to accomplish this goal is study and practice of the techniques we are taught.

      As will be discussed later, the value of all of this extends well beyond the walls of the dojo.  If one pursues their goals in this exact manner, one can accomplish great things and have a significant and pleasing upon their character.

     

Copyright 2009 by Hayato Tokugawa and Shisei-Do Publications.  All rights reserved.