Comments on: Beyond Mortal Combat

By: Prof. Sam Vasquez

Prof. Sam Vasquez — Sat, 16 Jan 2010 03:55:54 +0000

Tell me about this Anshu Christa Jacobson from the Budo Ryu Ninjutsu, is she for real, it seems as if her sites are all about her. Vanity at its best. She claims to have trained with the quest center, is this true? I tried to email her for information and she told me in not to many words to screw off, that why are we attacking her. All we needed was information about her time line and lineage. Are we wrong to question others. Can anyone claim to teach ninjutsu as long as they do not claim a lineage? Thank you sir for your time to reading my post, my respects to your title and quest centers

By: James J. Spangler, ND, Ph.D.

James J. Spangler, ND, Ph.D. — Wed, 13 Jan 2010 03:37:31 +0000

I would like to share what some of my own students have said. Keeping in mind that though I have studied An-Shu’s arts since 1990, was a member of the Atlanta Bujinkan Dojo for less that a year, and have only recently studied the distance learning program…. I am NOT licensed to teach the programs, but have created my own forms, structure, and now martial arts program that I teach to my children and their friends.

I am now at the point of my life where I must focus on To-Shin-Do, as I cannot progress further without it, and my students demand it.

Just the basic principles, the earth elements, the stances and grounding forces have proven invaluable to them in everyday elementary school life. In their PE programs, they have started pushing knees forward and sinking the rear in basketball and volleyball, with far greater results than their classmates, who unwittingly, still bend forward as if to be ready to lunge into their opponent. This has also encouraged better posture while sitting in class, resulting in their ability to be more focused and awake….they are learning and understanding so much more now, and their grades are the proof.

If a child can benefit from only the earth element…. the basics of Nin-po, what can we truly accomplish as adults who advance in the real program An-Shu has provided us? I believe it has no limits.

I have only just contacted my new local Quest Club here in Colorado Springs, CO for assistance in advancing to Instructor so my own Dojo can benefit from An-Shu’s To-Shin-Do, insights and guidance!

-Dr. J. Spangler

By: Neal Martin

Neal Martin — Sat, 09 Jan 2010 14:42:27 +0000

To my mind, martial arts training and personal growth/developemnt are inextricably linked. It wasn’t until I started to take my training seriously and really internalize the concepts and ideas behind it that I started to really make headway with my personal growth. I find embracing the martial arts and really making them an integral part of your lifestyle helps greatly in taking your mind of the material world and the needs of your ego and helps firmly ground you in your sense of spirituality, and from that comes a great deal of inner-peace, strength and real fulfillment. If you give yourself whole-heartedly to your art your art will give back in abundance, just as the universe does when you give yourself over to that too. Good post and great site.

By: Philip Resden

Philip Resden — Fri, 08 Jan 2010 21:50:53 +0000

A martial art should develop in it’s students a warriors mindset. And a true warrior will use the same mindset and principles for peace as he/she does for combat. To better both himself/herself and thous around them. Thou we train for combat we use that training to further peace and foster a mindset of understanding as well. The warrior should feel at home no matter what the situation, circumstance, time or place.

This I feel is why we train in our respective martial art, be it on a conscious level, where one is aware of this, or on an unconscious level, where one does not realize this fact but is non-the-less still moved and influenced by it.

Enjoying your blog An-Shu,

Philip Resden

By: Daniel L Dunn

Daniel L Dunn — Fri, 08 Jan 2010 02:03:34 +0000

I think ‘The Cold Moon, Wisdom from the Ninja Village’ says it very well; “spiritual growth, and the chance to become a consious part of the scheme of totality”. The kicking and punching is truly only a small aspect of the greater growth and ability we can attain from our continuing training, and certainly is a very good way to gain fresh new perspectives and experiences!

Thank you An-shu

By: Terry Garrett

Terry Garrett — Thu, 07 Jan 2010 19:53:31 +0000

The reason I love this community so much is that y’all get it. Martial arts is SO MUCH MORE than mearly kicking and punching. It is a life style. That is one thing that people in the west have to realize. Evrything in the dojo can be applied to everyday, mundane, activities. Thank you Anshu for sharing this wonderful posting.

By: Bill

Bill — Thu, 07 Jan 2010 11:08:15 +0000

Truly awesome Russ, reminds be of being mindful~ even when feel don’t need to.
In this way Truly Live ~ Go Beyond the ordinary to Truly Experience the Extraordinary hidden with the moment.

Let our challenges, our boredom, be our opportunities for learning ~ Growing.

Bill
Stationed Overseas
LDS

By: Jeffrey

Jeffrey — Thu, 07 Jan 2010 06:36:58 +0000

Yes! Good Stuff! It’s been said, “Travel is edifying.” Joseph Conrad, author of, “Heart of Darkness” amongst others was well traveled. He familiarized himself with The East India Company, as well as The West India Company. At some point in his travels, he shot himself in the chest wanting to die. He lived, and went on to create a prolific body of literature. He is known for his proficiency with the English language, even though it was his second language. He was Polish. Actually, his first name was Conrad. He displayed an awesome knowledge of the peoples of the world of his times and their interaction. More so, he displayed a unique ability to use simile and metaphor to create a tangible essence of what he was trying to convey. Marlon Brando as Kurtz in ‘Apocalypse Now’ was fashioned after Kurtz in “Heart of Darkness”.
My guess is, lesson learned, “Travel lightly”. Probably not a lot of luggage at Deer Park. I may be wrong. ” Who knows?” Maybe 10 elephants of luggage. I learn as I write. Travel like ancients.

JGS
as derived from his experiences.
Harrison Ford as Indiana Jones wasn’t bad either.

By: Luis Acosta

Luis Acosta — Wed, 06 Jan 2010 14:47:54 +0000

Good stuff! Ninpo Ikkan!