The Unseen Value Of Martial Arts Training - A Lesson From Ben Franklin

During one of my recent trips to Japan for training with Bujinkan Grandmaster

, Masaaki Hatsumi, one of the themes he touched upon in class was in the value of our training. And, how much like a good investment, the longer we participated, the more value we received.

Ironically, most students who come in to the academy, as with most things in their life, are looking for "quick results." Or, more to the point, a "quick fix." They say they're looking for self-defense and the ability to protect themselves from the ever-growing threat of danger in our world. But, what they're really looking for is a greater feeling of confidence. And, once they start to feel like they can handle themselves, which is usually after learning a couple of techniques well...they quit!

Soke ("head-of-lineage") Hatsumi, my teacher and the grand master of the Bujinkan Dojo, reminded us that...

..."there is a huge difference between "feeling" like you can handle yourself, and the ability to actually do it."

He said that most students are not willing to put enough time, effort, or energy to really understand what it feels like to live a life where, not only are they able to deal with danger should it happen to them, but that they don't have to worry about attackers appearing at all!

It's amazing, but true. As I have climbed the ladder in both rank and skill, there is one thing that I've noticed above all else. And that is...

...the greater my skill, the less I've had to use it for self-protection!

As a 12th degree Black Belt, I can't tell you how long it's been since I've had to deal with the threat of someone wanting to do me harm. And this is not limited to a physical assault, but extends into every area of my life.

I can hear many ask, "Why bother training at all, if you never have to use your skills for self-defense anyway?"

"Why bother at all? Why not just take your chances?"

While these questions sound logical, they are asked from the viewpoint of convenience. And, as we all know, what sounds good in theory, is often the furthest thing from reality.

The reason we train is twofold:

First, we train to realize that ideal life where we won't have to worry about danger because, even if it did occur, we knew we could handle it. And,...

Second, we're not there yet and may need to protect ourselves along the way to attaining our goal!

Benjamin Franklin, one of the acknowledged Founding Fathers of this great nation, once said, "They that are on their guard and appear ready to receive their adversaries, are in much less danger of being attacked than the supine, secure and negligent."

The truth is, the longer we train and the better we develop our skills, the safer we will be. This is true both of our self-defense techniques as well as our personal development skills.

In fact, I believe that it is precisely those traits and qualities that the martial arts have helped me to nurture, grow, and develop - traits like confidence, discipline, respect, commitment, and a host of others - that actually act as my shield against most attackers. It is these more than any physical skill that communicates to others that I am a confident, powerful person in control of his world, that determines who will want to connect with me, and for what reason.

Why learn the often-violent methods associated with the martial arts then, if all I had to do was to develop those inner qualities that keep me safe? Again, same reason as I mentioned before...

...until I do, I am at-risk from those forces that would seek to harm me.

Ironic, isn't it?

We come to self-defense training to be ready and able to protect ourselves from harm and, at the same time, are preparing ourselves for a day when few would ever want to. Because it is precisely our ability to handle ourselves, that creates the end result. Not the other way around.

Be careful. Only looking at the obvious parts of training will cause you to miss the big picture and the unseen value that it holds for you, and the rest of your Life!

by: Jeffrey Miller

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