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Where Have The Warriors Gone
I just finished reading, for the second time, Lone Survivor by Navy Cross recipient Petty Officer Marcus Luttrell. This book was a gift to me from Grandmaster Thomas Wilson, Pennsylvania State Representative. Grandmaster Wilson and I have had many discussions regarding warrior training.
Books written concerning the definition of a warrior as well as warrior training are numerous. A new book Training The Samurai Mind by T. Cleary is a composite of original Samurai scholars who address many of these issues from a historical perspective.
The Book of Five Rings written by Mushashi is a classic book on strategy. Mushashi makes no apology for believing that training for battle should be part of every person’s experience.
Aikido philosophy and training has changed significantly over the years. With those changes Aikido instructors have redefined the definition of a warrior. In warrior training for example, there is an interesting view of this new Aikido philosophy. Aikido the New Warrior, an edited book by Heckler, which is a composite of works by Aikido instructors who have an interesting philosophy of martial arts training and the warrior spirit.
Bob Aubry, PhD’s thesis in the book is Aikido and The New Warrior. In it he states: “For 30 years our civilization having been built as much on war as upon industry has had little taste of war”. “The Battlefield Warrior is someone we have had equally little taste for.”
Compare Dr. Aubry’s philosophy with Petty Officer Luttrells' quote: “I will never quit. I persevere and thrive on adversity. My nation expects me to be physically harder and mentally stronger than my enemies.”
Dr. Aubry believes” In Aikido…when faced with someone who has the intention of doing you harm, you must be able to surround him with your heart and attain the victory of peace.” Note that Dr. Aubry can not even bring himself to use the word: enemy.
Martial Art
I began my training in 1956. Throughout the years I have met many instructors. These include Karate, Judo, Hapkido, Jujitsu as well as Aikido teachers. When I began my Aikido training it was practiced as a practical form of self defense. Most founders of martial arts systems believed that training should test the student mentally, physically as well as philosophically. Their belief was that each student should be willing and able to protect themselves, their families and their country. My Aikido Instructors stressed Ueshiba’s philosophy. They believed that his first priority was to train your body then your mind. They stressed that Ueshiba’s belief was to train mentally for the ideal of universal love, but that he clearly understood the reality that not every situation could be solved by nonviolent response to violent situations. That is why the Japanese Special Police train in Judo and Aikido for their police tactics.
No civilized individual or culture embraces fighting or war. However, what Dr. Aubry is advocating is that the new warrior is one who interprets Ueshiba’s philosophy as passivity, with little regard for Ueshiba as a warrior.
Every student must ask themselves: When going into battle with fanatical psychopaths who would you rather have by your side: warriors trained with the skill and confidence of P.O. Luttrell, who understands from first hand experience, or those trained by Dr. Aubry who does not believe that enemies who’s only desire in life is to harm you, your family and your country actually exist.
The discussion will be controversial…
Grand Master James R. Garrison, 9th DAN
Vice-President, WOMAF
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