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Violence Against Women

2/15/2013

I read a news article this morning and would like everyone to take a look at what is going on where we live and in our communities. It was pointed out that according to the Violence Policy Center South Carolina is ranked 2nd in the country when it comes to women murdered by men. Statistics from the South Carolina Attorney General’s office also state that in 2011 of the 52 people murdered by a household member 39 of those were women with Greenville County having the highest number at 5. And within the last 6 months there have already been 6 deaths related to domestic violence in Oconee County alone.

This issue really bothers me and is exactly why I do what I do. Self defense is not only for when someone attacks you in a parking lot. It’s also a way for one to understand that you are just as important as anybody else. It also allows you to have the courage to stand up for what you believe in and what you know is right. Through the years I have had many husbands dislike me because of the increased confidence and independence there once quite submissive wives have discovered within themselves. I have also had many comments on my women’s youtube videos stating that women have no place learning self defense and would not get hit if they acted more like a female and knew there place. Once a lady told me she didn’t think she was even worth raping. I don’t know about you but I find this mindset very disturbing. This type of low self image is why far more cases of abuse go unreported than reported. I know the darkness that many women live with makes them feel there is no hope but your wrong there is. If you live in a situation like this there really is help for you and you can do something about it; you just have to have the courage to take that first step, admit there is a problem and ask for help. Even if you live in a loving home with children make sure you educate your children. Let them know that these problems do exist and teach them that we are all equals and we all should be treated as such. Sadly this lack of equality is passed down regardless of gender to our children. And I feel it is the reason for some much of the violence we are now seeing. We must start early on teaching our children so that they grow up understanding that no one person, race or gender is better than another and that they should always treat others the way that they would want to be treated; with respect.

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Traditional Martial arts

1/23/2013

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Today, most people would rather train in a sport style martial art, like the now popular MMA, rather than in a traditional system like Donjitsu Do. Perhaps the reason is because people view traditional systems of martial arts as unrealistic, outdated, and ineffective in today’s world. However, this is far from the truth.

The traditional martial arts are a way of life. In a traditional system like Donjitsu Do there are no trophies, no title belts, no fame, nor money. There is also no promise that one will ever receive a black belt or become a fighting machine. A traditional system like Donjitsu Do is not a game but a way to examine one’s life, death, and survival. It’s about seeking peace within one’s self. Even though I want all of my students to enjoy our training it is always made clear that it should not be done for fun, not as a hobby, and not solely as a way to get in shape - it is much, much more than that. There is nothing fun about fighting or harming another living thing. Born out of necessity in times of war, a traditional martial art was only pain, perseverance, and endless study just to survive the world that one lived in. In times of inactivity, the training was, and still is, a way to calm the mind, spirit, and body for the purpose of preparing for that moment when we have no choice but to use the skills we have studied. These skills and philosophies can take a lifetime to master as each of us seek our true purpose and mission in life.

In Donjitsu Do, students tend to keep their training private only revealing it to those who they feel would benefit from our way of training. Students are encouraged to avoid discussions with non-students concerning their fighting skills. For students truly dedicated to a traditional system, few will ever know they possess any combat skills. They remain a shadow until given no choice but to defend themselves or another. Unlike a sport system, Donjitsu Do is bound by no rules and a response to an attack can be ferociously aggressive. However, Donjitsu Do is not filled with rage or testosterone, but a desire to survive and protect those who cannot protect themselves; all the while always trying to avoid conflict. Our desire is to coexist with everyone, living side by side at peace.

Training in a traditional system like Donjitsu Do is difficult. The physical techniques are actually quite simple as they require no strength, just knowledge of the body and leverage. It is difficult because Donjitsu Do requires you to look within yourself and examine who you are. Within yourself is where you will find your most complex and dangerous opponent. Not until you can defeat and control your own demons can you expect to have a chance against another that would do you harm.

Donjitsu Do is a small private dojo tucked back out of the way in a rural area. Other than students putting out the occasional flier and our website, we do not advertise at all. I believe that the student finds the teacher; the teacher does not go looking for the student. Most say they just “stumbled” across our dojo. However, if you have stumbled across this information and find yourself in our dojo I assure you that you will discover there is much more to Donjitsu Do than what you came in looking for.

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2013 New Year's Resolution

12/30/2012

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We are now about to begin a new year. What will it bring? Many view this time as a fresh start and a time for making resolutions. Resolutions, either made quietly to one’s self or announced to the world, tend to promise “my life will be better”, “I will become a different person this year, better than before”, or “I’m going to stop _____and start____.” It is easy to fill in the blanks, isn’t it? Although resolutions are made with good intentions, the mere words announcing a resolution is as far as most will go. Even if only to ourselves, we have declared there needs to be a change. It is easy to say what one will do, but can one do what they say? In most cases, no real consequences are foreseen for failing to keeping a New Year’s resolution because many excuse resolutions as just thoughts, just ideas. Sadly and rarely are they ever taken seriously? It takes great self discipline and sacrifice to remain committed to a resolution. In the day of the Samurai, his word was his contract. Once a samurai said he would do something he was bound by his own word. Understand that a resolution is not just a thought or an idea, but is a contract that you have made with yourself and should not be taken lightly. If one cannot keep their word to themselves how can it be kept to another? Training in Budo gives you the resolve to face many things in life and not all of them are found in a dark alley facing a mugger. It is important to understand that you are the only adversary who can truly defeat you and, thus, facing your inner self can be a much darker place. Above all, Budo teaches self discipline and the synonym for resolution is courage. Do you have the courage to face yourself? Mahatma Ghandi once said, “Be the change you want to see in the world”. There is no better time than now, in this New Year, to begin your journey and became that change.

In 2010 at the very beginning of this decade I wrote the piece above and sent it out to friends and family as way to provoke thought, nothing more. And interesting enough it did, I had touched a nerve, obviously something must have seemed familiar. I had a couple of friends who I had sent it to become offended by it and said that I had directed it toward them. One said that they could not make a new year’s resolution now because of what I had said, I had ruined it for them. I’m assuming it is because they knew they had no intention of keeping a promise to themselves and I had inadvertently made them aware of that fact. I guess it was much easier to blame me than to realize they had called themselves out. When I originally wrote this it was never directed at anyone nor is it now. However, you may find some truth to it and it could help in some way. If you know me you know self realization is important to me and what I teach my students. I just ask that we all look a little deeper into whom we really are. So I post it once more with nothing more than a desire to provoke thought. What you do with this is up to you however, if you feel the need to blame me it’s OK.

-Shihan Ogle

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A Good Judge of Charactor

12/27/2012

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There are many people who say that they can within moments of spending time with another person know what kind of person they are by how they act, what they say, and how they carry themselves. I believe this to be a great skill for anyone to have; not just someone who studies budo. I consider myself to be one of these people and I try to make a fair assessment of each person I meet based on these and other observations. However, I do not claim to always know right away. Some appear to be obvious while others take more time to read and then there are those who have me hoping I am completely wrong. This is why it is so important to not be quick to judge another. You may have miss read them, caught them on a bad day, or perhaps a bad time in their life. Regardless, always give yourself time to prove your own theory. This is how you can truly trust your judgment about another.

It is also important to understand that if you do not know anything of your own character, how can you possibly know anything about that of another? This brings me to my next point. If you claim to be a good judge of character, have you ever put your skills to the true test? Have you ever taken the time to stop, take a long look in the mirror and see what you can tell about the person staring back at you? Can you honestly say, based on how you act, what you say, and how you carry yourself, that you are the person you portray yourself to be? Have you ever thought that there are some who can see you for who you really are? Do you see yourself the same way other “good” judges of character see you? Understandably there are always those who will not completely understand you for one reason or another. However, do you live everyday trying to convince everyone, including yourself, that you are someone you really aren’t? Are you living knowing all the while that it has all been a show? These are tough questions when aimed inward and can be even tougher when you realize others can see you for who you really are, even though you haven’t been able to see yourself.

There are those who think my job is to prepare my students for an attack from a person who would do them harm in a dark alley or home invasion however, I am more concerned with who they become and their ability to do themselves harm. In many of my classes physical techniques are a byproduct of what I am actually teaching. We will always be our own greatest enemy and once we are able to understand and concur ourselves only then can we begin to understand and defend against another. Having this deeper understanding of who we are will strengthen our ability to be a good judge of character if we are of good character and portray ourselves as the person we truly are. Have you ever heard the old saying “It takes one to know one”? I think it fits this thought perfectly, think about it.

-Sensei Ogle

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The Battle Within

8/24/2012

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When we think of great battles we usually think of those in history involving hundreds or thousands of warriors on that faithful day where an enemy was crushed in the name of good. For most, this type of battle is merely a story in history. However, for a veteran who has truly experienced battle, he or she knows there are no “great” battles as their survival is all that mattered on that day. Aside from battles among warriors, true personal battles are not seen but experienced. Personal battles are the secret, unspoken battles fought deep within ourselves that we can’t escape. These are the daily battles of right and wrong, stepping up and taking responsibility for ones actions, helping others because it is the right thing to do, or standing up for what you believe in, and the list goes on. Many do not even realize that personal battles rage inside them and, if they did, few ever admit it. Acknowledging our personal battles confirms our weaknesses and, for many, this is information they would rather not want to admit. Our dojo is so small because our martial art forces us to acknowledge our personal battles, thus confirming our weaknesses, which is not easy to do and is very humbling. For the prideful, this is not easily accepted.

For those who truly study budo you understand what I am talking about. Even though in our martial art we often discuss life and death and practice violent physical defensive techniques, budo is not solely about learning to defeat that masked guy in the parking garage, multiple attackers, or even armies. Its deeper purpose is actually about learning to control and defeat just one person. Seems easy enough right? However, this one person is the last person one would ever expect. This is the most dangerous and destructive adversary that you will ever face, the only one who knows all of your weaknesses, the only person who can truly destroy you. If you haven’t guessed already - it’s YOU! You are, and will always be, your toughest opponent. Think about it for a moment….Who has convinced you on numerous occasions that you couldn’t do something? Who has been that one person forcing you to procrastinate in getting something done like losing weight, completing a project, or getting off the couch? Who convinced you that you were not good enough, smart enough or even attractive enough to ask a special someone out on a date, or go for that dream job, or participate in a group activity? Looking back, did anyone other than yourself actually tell you that you can’t? Or, was it that negative voice inside your head the whole time? This is the real reason one should study budo in today’s modern world.

Why do you think most martial art schools advertise that they offer “discipline”, “respect”, “self control” and “self confidence”? One would quickly assume because that is what all martial arts are for and it’s so that you will have the strength, techniques, and confidence to stand up to anybody that would do you harm. And it is…but so much more. It is rarely taught or told up front that your biggest and hardest opponent will actually be you. This deeper reason for studying budo has been lost in many schools because there’s no fun in learning how to defeat themselves. So, this lesson gets pushed aside until later in training until it’s ultimately forgotten.

I tell my students from day One, it’s not going to be easy but once you’re able to face yourself with confidence and quiet that negative voice in your head other obstacles and challenges, whether asking for that day off work or defeating that masked attacker in the parking garage, aren’t so challenging anymore.

If you’re thinking about studying budo, or have already begun, take a moment and consider why you are training and ask how the idea of defeating your personal battles might help you better understand budo’s purpose.

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July 27th, 2012

7/27/2012

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The Heat of Summer

I know it has been hot and at times miserable in the dojo and for those of you who truly understand what I teach you know that it is by design and the dojo air condition works just fine.

At those moments when we think our world is coming apart it has never been comfortable. It is stressful a horrible and for many a lonely helpless feeling. Yet this is life and you still have to deal with the situation and overcome these emotions. For me the heat helps simulate these feelings of dispare in a controlled environment where we can better understand them. However this is just one of the reasons why I make you train in the heat and somday you will understand them all.

I must brag on the kid’s class. This summer has been exceptionally hot and these kids have all been troopers and have just been awesome this summer, I am so proud of them. They all show up with their water, a good attitude and not one has complained about the heat. I Iove all of these guys and enjoy all my time with them.

Thanks for all of your hard work
Shihan

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Have we lost track?

7/12/2012

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I feel many have lost track of what it is to train in the martial arts. Often time’s prospective new students ask me, "How long will it take me to get a black belt?" Several have even asked if I can guarantee that they will receive a black belt while training with me. Those that ask me about getting a belt rarely ask about becoming a happier, more enlightened person. Regardless of what some may believe, there is a great difference between having and being a "black belt". Herein lays the problem. The focus for so many people is on having this coveted belt. The belt holds no power; but, only the power one perceives it to have.

The belt is a symbol that, I fear, is losing its meaning. People are training in the martial arts in order to acquire this belt, not the knowledge that is gained from martial arts. I have actually known people that, on the day they received their black belt, they quit. They said that they were "done". It was once a symbol of the beginning of mastery, a sign that one had the desire to forge forward and begin a deeper understanding of all that they have learned up to that point. To later becoming the endpoint, a symbol of completion. Anyone who truly understands budo knows that it has no end.

In our dojo we do not "do" martial arts. We study the martial ways and focus our training on strengthening the mind, body, and spirit. Yes, we do have colored belts; and, yes, we do consider rank within our dojo. However, instead of weeks or months, there are often years between belt ranks because testing is taken very seriously. In fact, in order to test, one has to personally apply to test. For us, belts are used to show where that individual is on his or her personal journey within the martial arts. The true meaning of the belt is known only by the student wearing it. We do not view the belt as a way to judge a student because the belt, itself, does not make one person better than another. If one wants to admit it or not, usually, the moment someone steps into any dojo they quickly take inventory of all of the belts and, based upon that information, they immediately size up each person's ability in martial arts. In this instance, the belt, not the person, becomes the focus. For this very reason, my students do not put on their belts until class begins; and, at the moment class is over, the belts are removed and put away. This is to ensure that each student is treated equally. One should judge another by the manner in which they carry his/herself and interact with others. One should never respect someone more or less because of the color of their belt. If you study budo, take a moment to think about why you began your training. What did you hope to gain? . . . Was it a belt or something more? And, if you are thinking about studying budo, make sure you begin your study because you seek enlightenment, not because you seek a belt.

Budo is something that flows through you - something you feel;
not something you wear around your waist… Understand?

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Now, what are you going to do?

1/19/2011

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At any given moment a person is born and he or she has no idea what life has in store for them. The concept of good and bad, right and wrong or the consequences of one’s actions has not yet been learned, this is the beginning. From that point on it seems like life starts screaming by, and before you know it, like the blink of an eye you find yourself in this moment, sitting here reading this post. And hopefully, for the next few moments, time has slowed and you have stopped; possibly in silence you sit and contemplate what you have done, what you could do and what you have learned from life. Unlike when you were born you are now aware of life and its consequences, you know where you are, what you have become. So ask yourself; are you where you want to be, are you who you want to be and have you done what you want to do? If I’ve gotten you to think, quietly, you’ve taken a few moments of reflection and looked at your life, now what are you going to do?

Just a thought - Sensei Ogle

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Forward>>

Violence Against Women

Traditional Martial arts

2013 New Year's Resolution

A Good Judge of Charactor

The Battle Within

July 27th, 2012

Have we lost track?

Now, what are you going to do?

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