SPACE AND TIME

The taoist wise man Chand Tzu wrote:



"Fishing baskets for catching fishes, but once you get the fish, the man forgets the baskets. Traps are used to hunt hares, but once they have the hares they forget the traps. words are used to express ideas, but once they transmit the ideas, they forget words".



Human being tendency is to forget what it´s not of interest for him to remember, it´s a curious quality. Unfortunately there are people who get mentally sick and they forget without wishing it, this is really a drama.



Hatsumi Sensei, in an absolute afirmative tone, told:"The Bujinkan of now isn´t the Bujinkan of yesterday" . This sentence it seems very interesting and illustrative to me about life itself.

What was then it isn´t now, but we stick too much in defending ideas that have no sense once time passes by. At the dojo in Nodashi and Kashiwa 25 years ago sometimes we were 3 people, sometimes with luck 10; today Bujinkan has become in a worldwide phenomena; there are thousands of people practising around the world. For example, twenty years ago I remember giving seminars for 15 people and these last years sometimes we have joined almost 300people, bute ven so still there are seminars with 25-30 people. I remember that Canary Taikai 1991 and 1992 leaded by Hatsumi Sensei maybe we didn´t reach 200 people and on that time was an important amount of people, years later, in 1997 at Barcelona Taikai, we joines more than 650 people. I also remember at one Daikomyosai that we were no more tan 30 people training in a dojo in Kashiwa, and this last year (2010) we were more than 300 participants.



In the book “The Tao of Physics” there is a very interesting comment and follows like this:

           “The eastern mystics relate the notions of space and time with particular states of consciousness. Being able to go beyond the ordinary state of consciousness through meditation, they noticed that conventional concepts of space and time are not the absolute truth. The refined conceptions of space and time resulting from their mystical experiences seem at amny aspects similar to modern physics, as it´s cearly demonstrated with the relativity theory“.



It seems that the esential idea of both theories(the space relativity and the general one) is that two watchers that relatively move one aside the other with different speed (if the difference is much less tan the light speed, itdoesn´t result perceptible), they will often get different measures of time (time intervals) and space (distances) to describe the same event series.



Eagerly but relaxed and naturally Hatsumi Sensei tries that all the persons that are close to him stay happy and smiling, but of course al lis relative, therefore when two people, vibrating in a different way (I mean that in their position of balance tensions and deformations are produced) perceive his teachings, they will get different time and space measures, maybe this is the reason why Hatsumi Sensei asks for each one of his uke to explain their feelings, for the vibrations that produced with the interpretation, becoming this vibrations creators of a real field progression and openness.



Openness being cautious I think it´s a very interesting attitude. Absolute secrecy could have a kind of consequences in our budo, sometimes, unpredictable; for example, the lack of contact with other realities.



Evidently and without no doubt, the most important thing is training, and I think is necessary to do it with Hatsumi Sensei beyond the rank you have. This experience will create solid bases in your life. The only fact of seeing my master, seeing him healthy, energetic and happy, makes me very happy and of course I try to do things that, also, make him happy, for example being a viaduct to my students and buyu to reach him and experimenting an exploring his teachings in a straight way.



Let´s see a simple case and easy to understand. When a course organizar or a teacher who gives this course goes to the place of the coursei, normally he´s happy just by the fact of being able to share and give the opportunity to other people to verify their budo; however happiness is an inner state and shouldn´t be altered by external conditions, but being honest, I would prefer 30 people in his classes than 2 if it´s possible. The number would not change the teaching neither the feeling about the training, but it would help, in harmony with cosmos, to get the necessary help at a material level (kinjutsu) to travel and train more, to get a place with better conditions, etc.…



In short, MY REASON for travelling to Japan is, only, training with MY MASTER, Hatsumi Sensei, and I never ask who is going to be at the dojo and how many people comes from one country or from other either, I just go and adapt myself(one of the biggest teachings from Hatsumi Sensei), I open up my senses all that is possible and listen to my Master and when I listen to him all the rest doesn´t exist, no space neither time, and we are alone both together. When he finishes I interpret, trying to adapt it to my life  and I search the way to share it with others. And I say, when Hatsumi Sensei speaks about the person to person relationship, refering to the master-student reelation, soke-student is essential and important, he´s not refering to when you are alone with him when he is teaching, because physically is very complicated being one to one with the number of students that exist.



As Tanizaki writes: “In the West the most powerful ally of beauty has always been light. Whereas the Japanesetraditional astheticthe essential part is to grasp the enigam of shadow“.



A big hug.

Pedro Fleitas González, unryu

(translated by Shihan Richard Atik)

WHAT ALLOWS ME TO ADAPT TO ALL CIRCUMSTANCES ...

What allows me to adapt to all circumstances?

Personally I think that one of the most basic principles that Hatsumi Sensei has transmited to us resides in the phrase "I'm not from here, I'm not from there, I come froma an undefined space that allows me to adapt to all circumstances", in it lives the essence of BANPEN FUKYO, not even 10.000 changes will surprise you.

To adapt, You have to adapt to surveve. Understand his teachings only as a set of techniques can be totally banal.

Adaptation must take place in all possible fields; biochemical: be able to adapt your nutrition to the moment, place and need. In the Physica: adapt your body to the situation developing a natural nagare (flow); Emotional: As with the use of weapons or tools they must be an extention of taijutsu and not the body. Energetic: thousands of rivers flow towards the sea and in relation with the environment, to adapt to the wheather, to many settings in the tatami, for example with little people, many people and many many people.

If there is no adaptation there is no life, if there is no life there is no
Budô. Happy Banpen Fukyo. A budoka trains a lot and complains little, if he has a time to complain.


Pedro Fleitas, dragon of the could

In the day of my birthday, 2011.
(Translated by Shihan Dr. David Palau from Colombia)

EVERYTHING PASSES FAST

Everything passes fast

Today I turn 46 Years Old.
A middle aged man thinks about something today, something that almost all human beings think about, "How quick time passes" and even "Time doesn't exist, it's just a fantasy".

Today I promise myself something else, I face the mirror and i see how I have lived intensely these 25 years, everything has happened so fast but with so many images impossible to forget, so much love received, flooding hospitality, so much refuge, I only have two words THANK YOU.

I Can die today, as if I have lived for 200 years. What else can I ask, wonderful parents, an incredible son, a loving sister in law who is like my own sister, great nieces, a unique brother (now deceased), protective friends, students that are the light of my life, and a teacher that with his love, in the distance, has given a meaning to my life

That promise I left behind in two paragraphs ago, I have not forgoten and I meet it again. I don't want to loose my time with
senseless reasoning and in the name of any invalid nonsense. There are so many human beings suffering, sick people, without food, without shelter... How can I loose my time? while I´m here, i auto assgn the right to help instead of loosing my time.

A big hug to all and thanks for the messages!


Pedro, 46 years old!

Februray the 1st, 2011
(translated by Shihan Dr. David Palau from Colombia)

TWO TRIPS

Here I leave with the curriculum of the Taikai in South América by Shidôshi Sven Himmelmann. Enjoy it.

 

This is a curriculum of our Bujinkan trip to south america, with Pedro Fleitas that united two taikais to one unforgetable event in September 2010 written by Sven Himmelmann. The participants of this trip from Europe were Pedro, Angeles, Ivan (Canary Islands), Miguel (Madrid) and Sven (Germany).

We arrived in Santiago de Chile on Friday morning and were welcomed by friends of the Bujinkan in Chile. Immediatly the fresh air came to our attention that was cleaned from the rain before. Deep breaths were very enjoyable and the view to the Andes from the city was very beautiful. Santiago appered to me as a very welcomming city with wide spaces, nice infrastructure and clean apperance. Studying Bujinkan also meens meeting people and seeing the world, somtimes from a different angle.

Meeting friends in a resaurant right away for food sitting at an international table. Chile, Brazil, Argentina, Columbia, Spain and Germany. This gave us the Bujinkan feeling again.

The next day the seminar began in the hotel were we stayed. A group of 225 people welcomed Pedro Fleitas very warm and were exited to train for two days. This seminar started with the Kihon Happo the core of the Bujinkan. With these techniques Pedro taught principles like Shinken Gata – the attacking feeling, Moguri Gata – the evading feeling, Yoshin Waraku – benevolent heart and enjoying the peace, that a worrior has to find. Two more principles covered were follow the energy flow and change is more importatnt that advancing in a certain field.

The Godan Test that was performed by Pedro on Nicolás, training for many years and and  with the autorisation of Hatsumi Sensei.

After the first session when the godan test was held in the morning a lot of people were asking questions themselves and the energy of the group was very unstable.

After the second session at the end of the day the training participants were one group with a harmonized flow of energy. Everybody just sat down. The energy was high and the test went through very easily. Great experience again.

After the first day of training the group of people seem to be happy with the course of the day. In the evening the Taikai Party was held with good food and conversations on the experiences of the seminar.

The next morning the Seminar started with soft techniques and after a while went on to Renyo. Here the apsect was that Renyo is one technique. Again the principle of inashi gata appered: 1. Distance and angle, 2. Precision, 3. Flow of energy, 4. Control and 5. Reunification of the above. This principle can be seen in life as well. For example in the relationships we have.

During the training a great confusion came up that went with the practitioners. The confusion is a good part of the bujinkan training which allows to train in the mist and allows the body, mind and soul to learn in a different way. The challenfge here is to accept the confusion and enjoy it. When the confusion goes. The learnings apear. Somtimes this takes hours, days or even weeks. A very nice way to learn.

After this seminar everybody was very tired and we slept very well this night and we relaxed the next morning. The program for the day was relaxing in the hotel, going for a very nice lunch and having a look at Santiago de Chile in the afternoon.

On Tuesday we made a day trip to the skiing station close to Santiago in the Andes. It was an impressive ride from the city level up to 3000m to the station, were we spent half a day. Enjoying the view and the snow on the montains, having good conversations and enjoying the time up there. On the way back Ivan from Tenerife, our doctor, could give emergency to help a young guy that fainted on the mountain. Good job Ivan.

Thank you very much Jorge for taking care of us that well in Chile!

The wednesday was our travvelling day leaving Chile and heading to Brazil. The look crossing the Andes was marvellous and stunning. This was a very silent flight to the large City of Sao Paulo that was waiting for us.

Arriving at the airport we were welcomed by Fernando. It did not take long and we could feel the rough energy in the city, a city of 20 Million. people living very close together with little space. After a long ride through the night we were glad to arrive at the hotel to rest and relax.

The next two days we were enjoying the sun in Sao Paulo relaxing and sightseeing to see the different sides of Sao Paulo. In the japanese quarter, where also Fernando’s Dojo is situated, we were enjoying food in an authentic japanese restaurant. It was like beeing in Japan!

In the evening we had a demanding training seesion at the Dojo of Fernando followed by two Godan tests. Edson  from Brasil and Roberta from Sao Paulo. Edson took his chance and passed right away. Roberta was nervous and did not go with the energy, she had to wait for saturday to go for another chance.

A highlight in Sao Paulo before the seminar was the visit of two Budist Temples. The first one was a very quite place where we could relax and enjoy our time and the second place was even more surprising. We were welcomed by two monks that were gently enogh to show us the premises. The way the monks received us and took care about us with an open heart was amazing. It was a heart to heart communication.

The Taiko drumming session openned the seminar on Saturday, which was powerfull and very intensive and caused a lot of strong emotions. Pedro started the training slowly to allow the group to cope with these emotions and the rough energy that could be felt in Sao Paulo. The techniques went straight to the floor allowing the tensions to relief gently and helped everyone to deal with the strong energies.

The godan test this time with Roberta was very strong and I got the impression of a soft wind going through the hall. A lot of people were touched and cried out of joy. She passed with a marvellous movement.

The afternoon got stronger, the energy was converted into the shinken gata feeling and the group moved closer together as a unit. After this training day most of the people were happy and very tired, like being tired inside. So we closed this day with a nice meal in the hotel and went to bed very early.

Sunday the Taikai started with a very impressive play on the reflection of human behaviour shown by the example of martial arts. Very well presented.

The play gave a good insight in what can happen when humans come together in a group for fun and or work, for sport and enjoyment. And it showed how important it is to develop one’s self esteem.

The training started with the school of Takagi Yoshin Ryu, again going down to the floor.  Followed by techniques with Bo, Bokken and Jo the training become very challenging. Here two principle applied: it is better to catch the feeling than the techniques, since Pedro was changing the techniques very fast and changing is more important than advancing in a certain area.

In the afternoon the training focused on excersise performed by three people, which gives different kind of training, the energy in the afternoon got softer and more harmonized. The Taikai came to an end very softly and everybody was looking forward to the party in the evening.

The Taikai party as well was a great success. The practitioners of the brazilian Bujikan showed their way to party, which we enjoyed very much. Thank you.

With this day a great event in two contries that united two Taikais into one great Taikai was comming to an end. Experiencing two different contries and two different cultures united in one Taikai was unique for myself. This was a great time with extraordinary experiences. Thank you very much for organizing to Jorge and Fernando and their students.

Thank you very much to Pedro for initiating this event and for teaching us the way you teach! Thank you very much!

Keep going and best wishes,

Sven Himmelmann

MOUNTAIN

MOUNTAIN
September 23rd, 2010

Some years have passed since I last visited this mountain, for me, sacred. I began to dig a hole to put my vague memories. For a moment, looked up and saw he had dug so deep that I came to ask me how I was going to get out.
With heart immutable and unchangeable say that inanimate. In a text read that “wisdom is unchangeable when the mind is entertained while you move in any desired direction: right, left, around, everywhere. ”
This correspondence, this, perhaps, “innovative” meaning I identified with the teaching of Hatsumi Sensei says that meditation does not have to be something inert and passive state. This phenomenon of mind expansion, is also seen in the taijutsu with or without utensils when you connect to the source, the whole, the universe, the cosmos. This does not always happen, but when it does get up the floor a few inches and stop belonging to the mundane to erigirte “king” of your own spirituality, in which the connection and you are One is the right height in order to link the sky land and can become a useful human being when you return to touch the ground, and say touch because when you have this expansion and will never again rest on the ground just as before.
So when we meditate, when we practice taijutsu, although attention is diverted, the mind is confounded by external events or internal states.
The Zen Master Hui-neng said, “if you’re open to understanding the teaching of immediacy, not cultivate the practice of clinging to the outside …”
Fudo Myoo is a picture of Buddhist iconography, which is usually standing guard outside the gates of the monasteries. It is conceived as a demon who happens to be become protector of religion, and in this sense represent the anger directed towards overcoming evil.
The round trip is part of the road.
Pedro Fleitas Gonzalez Unryu
“Facing the mirror

LIGHTNING

LIGHTNING
August 20th, 2010

“… And suddenly the sword fell upon the head of the applicant, in unison, their bodies moved in mysterious ways saving the lives and entering the world of gokui …”
Thousands of members of the Bujinkan Sakki have passed the test. Everyone has their own experience, each is moving toward its own destiny. Hatsumi Sensei wrote:
“Perseverance is, to a person who practices martial arts training continues, puliéndose lot, which will gradually understand the spirit of the techniques that lie in the training”
It is believed that all things that exist in the universe consist of the “big six”. They embody the essence of the cosmos and are called “sui-chi-ka-fu-ku-shiki.” Shiki, the sixth, is composed of spiritual principle. One can understand “shiki” as the activity of knowledge. Chi, solid body, Sui, body fluid, Ka, fire; Fu, the gaseous body, Ku, Space and Shiki, knowledge.
The era of Takamatsu Sensei was the lone wolf, using the techniques and principles in actual combat to verify the teachings.
The era of Hatsumi Sensei has been and is trying to get others to understand the teachings and now there are many people who “understand”, we move to third finding was that represents the best way to convey the lessons we have understood. It is very important to ensure that these teachings are kept alive.
The taijutsu is meditation in motion. What makes this meditation is to be performed without the desire to happen. When you train you must have a pure heart. This heart is like the filament in a bulb shines brightly.
A hug and good training.
Pedro Fleitas, Unryu
Hidden in the corner again.

BIRTH

(Thanks to Marcus)

“… These three gods looked down to earth, and saw that there was no order in it, everything was confused and had no sign of progress or life in the inert and powerful.
The gods looked upon the earth and the long time in contemplation, consulting each other about what they could do to bring order and life in it … ”
I always found it interesting so important accumulation of “things and utensils” that Hatsumi Sensei is at home. First in the house “so special” in which he lived in Nodashi, which then became a new home “so special” multi-storey.
I remember when I first came home, my sense of order was laid bare and all my expectations thrown to the wind as if it were ash. But I found over time that this way of feeling the life of Hatsumi Sensei was for one side to the art of prioritizing, first things first and second entropy, which can be regarded as a measure of uncertainty. Can live with that feeling of being deep and not at the same time, with that feeling of “living in another time but definitely at this time” is an experience felt by the great artists and “special human beings.”
As you enter the house of Hatsumi Sensei, the right has a table-free environment in the Canary Islands in 1991 Taikai. This table is the poem of the Sea Canary artist Nestor de la Torre. The Poem of the Atlantic (or Poema del Mar), belongs to the Artist’s life project: the “Poem of the Elements”, which would join the unfinished “Epic of the Earth” and the Poems of Fire and Air, which could only imagine. There are eight tables that form the Poem of the Atlantic, representing the sea conditions and the times of the day within a symbolic content.
The elements make up life. Water teaches us the importance of adaptability and change, to accept change. It is very important to train properly gogyo no kata, being aware of each element in the movement and its implementation. Know and experience will help us to transcend them.
I leave you with a letter from Shihan William Lugo, I urge you to read between the lines to understand the depth of his soul. We only share what Hatsumi Sensei has given us. Every day I am more convinced of the benefit so important for the Bujinkan martial artists are for today’s societies. Enjoy it.
“On August 7, 2010, following the tradition of all the years and for this date in Gran Canaria Richard Atik organizing a class taught by Master Peter, which come from different dojo practicing Spain in which besides the Pedro received master’s teachings all share our friendship and the maturity that martial note of each one of the instructors, so they do, what they say, ultimately by what they say.
The Master Pedro said he would work with the idea of Yoshin Waraku (benevolent heart who enjoys Peace)
Technically it worked Gyokko the basis of Ryu and development with Henka, Master Peter emphasized the basis of our movements, but now we continuously from a level of maturity in our taijutsu. He commented that it is complicated from a technical development as it has been obtained by returning to the kihon instructors, technology base, what I understood about this whole process is that a tree but what we see is the trunk, branches, leaves and fruits, the base is still mainly root and there is where it feeds.
To end the class the teacher Pedro grouping of participants and the shihan asked to speak about the impressions of the class, all of them forwarded its views in a natural way in a vocabulary understood by all participants.
In regard to my impression as uke, in all classes, courses and try to be Taikai zero there are times when I get it and others not, in this particular felt like a candle goes out, comes to my house after the small flight linking Gran Canaria and Tenerife, get my dog and went to bed, was wrecked do not remember giving me a lesson as deep as yesterday, when sleeping, and I changed position of the pain woke me gave me the movement, Pedro told me it was like sensei taught and how teaching is transmitted to the 15 Danish. When Peter finished master every technique I felt peace within me a thrill soaked not let me or talk just wanted to continue training was what I was telling my training partner Richard, go go, do not get up.
I think it is the destiny of every soul feel at peace, thanks to Peter for teaching master. ”
Guillermo Lugo
Note: The original text in italics is from the book “Japanese tales and legends”