This is an ancient Zen axiom which has puzzled seekers of wisdom for centuries. It is wonderfully simple in its directness, yet some people do not understand its implications in their everyday lives. What is meant is that if you try very hard to achieve something, in this case Ninpo Taijutsu, the very process of trying to understand it is what keeps you from getting it. If you want to be an expert with a particular weapon, say, the sword or knife, and you constantly try to master these weapons to the exclusion of all else, your extreme efforts will only provide you with a false appearance of mastery. You may understand a few of the "omote", or obvious aspects of that art, but the "ura", or the real feeling will elude you because of your misaligned spirit.

Many practitioners have no clue of this - and still others think they understand, but then do the opposite! This is why several of you commented at the Tai Kai about the low skill level of many of the other instructors from different Bujinkan dojos. They too have missed the "feeling of the art".

If you try to force something, you lose the natural feeling of it. Sometimes it is best not to try so hard, and just relax. The harder you try to understand, the more you are thinking, and the worse it gets. Don't try - don't think: just do.

That's all that needs to be said on the subject. It's that simple. Don't read any more into it than that. Some people go to the other extreme, getting far too mystical and metaphysical and religious with these concepts. If you do that, then you are again missing the feeling, cluttering your mind and spirit with unimportant illusions.

Shidoshi Ken Harding, 6th Dan, heads the Missouri Ninja Center in St. Louis. He started his training in 1984, has trained with Hatsumi Soke in Japan, and studies Japanese, Yoga, shiatsu, herbology and nutrition. He may be contacted via E-mail: Shadowswrd@aol.com.