May 10th, 1999 (last revised 7/23/2003)
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"Weakening the physical senses by practicing austerities is one way
to allow the spiritual senses to become stronger. Activities like Zazen, fasting,
ascetic practices in the mountains, and so on exhaust the body and allow the
spiritual senses to become more active." |
Shugyo (修行) may be defined literally as "conducting oneself in a way that inspires mastery". While the meaning of the kanji used in "shu" was originally translated as 'using a brush to strike away the dust that obscures the viewing of a persons original elegance', the combined kanji of "shu" and "gyo" (carrying out, walking along) is now generally translated as simply "severe or austere training". The kanji rendered for this version of "shugyo" is most commonly associated with Buddhist asceticism, and most notably, the "shugenja" (修験者, ascetic mountain-dwelling monks).
In addition to ascetic Buddhism, the act of shugyo can be applied to any serious endeavor or "michi" (path). For example, the term "musha shugyo" (武者 修行, an exponent of martial [arts] conducting themselves in a way that inspires mastery) refers to a "knight-errantry" tour, a practice of travelling around the country in order to train and test their martial skills that was followed by many serious budo-ka of pre-Meiji Japan (and to a lesser degree post-Meiji). The kanji used in the term "shushi" (修士, master) also combines the same shu character with the character for "man" (alternately read as "samurai"). The implication of this kanji combination is that the person, and perhaps only the person, that follows the way of austere training can obtain the skill level of a "master".
A related term worth mentioning is "kugyo" (苦行), which translates literally as "carrying on while suffering", and is understood functionally as referring to asceticism, penance, or mortification.
In centuries past, shugyo were periods of time where the adherent (usually certain types of monks or warriors) would submit themselves to extreme conditions - mentally, spiritually and physically, in order to achieve certain enhanced or enlightening experiences. This was viewed as an important forging process that, among other things, taught one what their actual limitations were; or more appropriately, what their lack of limitations were.
There are several
well known shugyo-sha (修行者, practitioner of austerities)
that are known to have followed such severe training in more recent years. The
famous Karate-ka Mas Oyama (founder of "Kyokushinkai karate", pictured right)
was known for his long periods of mountain training.
Ueshiba Morihei (founder of "aikido") also supplemented his training quite often in his younger years with shugyo and ascetic misogi training (spiritual cleansing):
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"Once a year, Morihei took several of his best disciples to train with
him on Mount Kurama, located near Kyoto. The small group lived on rice, pickles,
miso soup, and wild herbs. Morihei would rise at five AM to pray. After morning
prayers and misogi, they would swing heavy swords five hundred times and then
practice footwork. From ten AM to noon they trained in body techniques. Afternoon
training ran from three to five PM; the disciples took turns acting as Morihei's
partner as he ran through series after series of techniques. In the evenings
the disciples would review the day's training. Every three days, Morihei would
announce at midnight 'time for night training'..." |
Tesshu Yamaoka was one of Japan's most famous and interesting swordsmen. Tesshu was influenced by Zen, and eventually founded his own tradition called "Itto seiden muto ryu" (the tradition of no-sword), perhaps partially in reaction to the dissolve of the warrior class in 1868. Though he was also an exceptional artist, and created over a million pieces of calligraphy in his lifetime, he gave money to others his entire life and died a poor man.
It is said that Tesshu required his disciples to follow a progressively strenous physical trial, that would have been considered brutal even in his own time:
Most people delve to push their limitations discover that they are able to endure overall stress to at least double the performance of what they had assumed they were capable. My first experience with expanding limitations was in High School, during which I had enrolled in an Outdoor Leadership/ Survival school. This was a one month long backpack through the mountains of Wyoming, in which we were required to endure conditions ranging from desert terrains to ice glaciers. The entire course was an escalation of challenges, which concluded with a five day self-extraction, in which we were expected to navigate our own way out of the mountains (twenty miles, no trails) with no food and only purified water. This course was a life changing experience that inspired my annual shugyo's.
Nowadays, the term "shugyo" tends to be used in a somewhat looser context, and rendered with different characters (修業). This character combination refers to "the pursuit of knowledge", and is used in the context of the dojo in reference to studying intensely and with focus during training (aka: "shuren" [修練], training, discipline, drill), or more philosophically, pursuing a path of learning. This homophone carries a less severe feeling that that of the former shugyo, and as such should not be confused with the usage of the term as explained above.
My own method of shugyo begins with a modified fast (to detoxify/cleanse the body and mind, discipline, perseverance, etc.) that consists of a half glass of juice mixed with good protein powder in the morning, (alot of) water, green tea and chinese mixed herbal tea during the day, and sometimes miso soup broth at night. The fast should be strict, but tailered according to activity level for reasons of health. Those involved in only more passive misogi or medititation may not have need for protein powder, but in any event the basic rule is to listen to your body. As one point of interest, I've found that all six senses are noticably heightened during the fast. Colors are more brilliant, hearing is more accute, scents appear to be stronger and the perception of the mind over all becomes sharper.
The fasting section of a shugyo can of course be modified to suit the needs of the body. For example, sudden prolonged fasts followed by the sudden reintroduction of food will most likely slow the adherent's metabolism down, causing the body to go into "survival" mode and store all food as fat on the body for future fuel needs. To prevent this, a gradual reduction of food over two days combined with a minimal intake of food (crackers, small amounts of beef jerky, etc.) during the modified fast, concluding with a two day reintroduction should be sufficient in most cases. The fast and shugyo should be a somewhat personal experience, so the criticism and remarks of others (such as "oh, thats not a REAL fast") should be considered irrelevant to your own purposes and experience.
During a shugyo, the intensity of training should be increased (maintaining at least a six day a week basic schedule), meditation, and sometimes even aspects of misogi (water purification ritual; a whole other subject) and/or chinkon kishin (meditation to "calm the spirit and return to the divine") can be practiced. There is no one-way to conduct a shugyo, as the practice must be adapted to each person as well as that of their intended goal. Usually, 10-14 days is sufficient to achieve beneficial results, but I have gone as long as 30 days with no ill effects; temporary or otherwise, other than substantial weight loss. However, there are significant health issues to consider, such as how to maintain adequate protein, calcium (for bones and teeth), vitamins and minerals that must be invidually researched. For example, I refrain from lifting weights, heavy body conditioning, and deep stretches during Shugyo, as I believe it may be hazardous to region-specific muscles, ligaments and bones, considering the limited nutrients ingested. If physical weakness or mental focus becomes problematic, a half glass or so of vegetable juice (fresh squeezed preferably) with extra sleep is usually adequate to revitalize the bodies system.
Various methods of fasting have been recorded historically by many of the oldest cultures around the world, and was once considered to be a part of maintaining normal health by some of these societies. Recently, western Doctors have begun to acknowledge the health benefits of fasting as well. It has been estimated that the average adult American carries at least 5-10 pounds of toxic chemicals acquired through processed food in their body at any given time. These toxins are believed to contribute to disease and ill health. Fasting allows the body time to completely process the backup of unprocessed toxins (at least three days is generally required), which resultantly strengthens the general health of the body and its immune system. Further information about fasting can be found on the internet and in various research periodicals.
Personal Training Methods
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Over the years I have adopted certain training methods that are perhaps not generally accepted by those involved professionally in physical fitness. Please keep in mind that these methods were researched and adapted for me personally, and may not suit everyone. Anyone interested in following similar methods should consider consulting a doctor or professional before doing so.
Budo no Seishin Tanren - Spiritual Forging Through Budo:
Everyone has their own reasons and goals for studying martial arts. However, for a style to be considered a "martial art" by definition, students must strive to the best of their abilities to learn and master effective technique; whether this is ever completely achieved or not. Even if effectiveness (self defense or combat) is not one of the reasons originally chosen for training, to not do so is a GREAT dis-service to the founder of the style, and all others who have committed their lives to the art.
This logic may be hard to understand for some, but I assure you that there is a much higher level of "shuyo" (修養, cultivation of the mind and spirit, character development) and "shushin" (修身, ethics, training morals) found through the pursuit of effective techniques, though the assumption that senseless violence is being endorsed should of course not be confused with this type of serious training. Once a student has been on the receiving end of effective technique enough times, they tend to become far more sensitive to and compassionate towards others who might suffer at the hand of similar techniques. Those that suffer tend to develop compassion for others that suffer. One of the main overall results of shugyo-geiko is the development of "seishin tanren" (精神 鍛錬, forging the spirit) and "seishin-ryoku" (精神力, moral/spiritual strength).These qualities are very difficult to develop outside of self-enduced "shugyo", and provide the proponent with very valuable life skills, in addition to effective technique (for those that might have need for them).
Keep in mind, however, that there are endless sports for those that prefer competition; Zen for those that wish to meditate, various social gatherings for those that prefer to discuss the deeper principles, general exercise for those that desire to lose weight, and dance studios and gymnastics for those that want to perfect their bodies and enhance biomechanics. While aspects of these are found in martial arts, it is not fair to study only a part of an art in hopes of achieving ones' personal goals. To do so would be selfish, and the art studied and Budo community as a whole would suffer as a result.
Budo/bujutsu (martial ways/ martial arts) training involves conditioning the body, mind and spirit. These three components encompass all aspects of a human being, and must be given attention to some degree regardless of the style or era of a given art studied. What alot of people don't realize, is that it is equally important to stimulate all three areas of themselves to maintain optimum health. There are countless activities that exercise the body, and to some degree the mind, or, conversely, the mind and less of the body, as well as others that focus almost exclusively on aspects of the spirit. But traditional budo/bujutsu is the only endeavor that requires participation in all three areas. This makes martial arts potentially a powerful and unique tool to improve one's life, if so chosen. To do this means to follow "jinsei budo" (living the way of budo), or applying the skills, wisdom and enlightenment gained in training to other areas of life. I have never had anyone be offended by politeness or thoughtfulness, and have had considerable success in other area's of life (in my humble judgment) through the cultivation of principles like perseverance, determination, endurance, initiative, discipline and honor. These are all common principles that are emphasized in properly transmitted Budo. The choice is the students as to whether they want to let budo training be their path to personal enhancement, or if there are other combined-endeavors that provide this more comfortably for them. There are many paths that one can take in life, and they are all correct. Finding the correct ("right one for you") instructor is paramount to proper transmission of budo. I would go so far as to say that it is more important to focus on the instructor than on the art, as a skilled budo-ka can make any style effective. It is said that it is better to spend four years searching for the right instructor than to spend one year training under the wrong one.
Kataigeiko - Hard Daily Training:
Generally, I train for at least two hours a day, 6-7 days a week. Much of this time is studying, while some of it is teaching (teaching is a study in itself). While my earlier days of study were somewhat generic in content and manner, the nineteen ninety's have been much more intensive and "old style". It is during this time that my training methods became focused. Some may (and have) called me a bit fanatic and obsessive as a result, but to excel at something one must forge themselves with repeated practice, and push beyond their perceived limitations. Some of the best training and learning experiences somtimes occur when fatigued or (not seriously) injured. This is not the time to skip class. If you are sick, stay home. If you are seriously injured or deeply fatigued, try to watch class and learn something.
Junan Taiso - Body Conditioning:
Conditioning of the knuckles, wrist bone (tegatana), forearms and shins are among a few of the useful things for any Budo-ka to keep conditioned. In addition to various traditional makiwara, I find that riverbed stones are a great, portable way to condition the knuckles and wrist bone (tegatana) during the afternoon while working or driving to class. In the dojo, I have set up a vertical beam wrapped in 1/2" hemp-rope (wara) for hand conditioning, and two padded canvas makiwara against another beam for shins and forearms. Be advised that it is easy to find yourself in "the zone" (or "Fray") after a while, and one should try to remain conscious of their knuckles bleeding and discontinue conditioning at this point. This method of conditioning would generally be considered "Japanese/ Okinawan" in nature. I'm also aware of some Chinese methods, which usually involve "dit da jow" (a healing ointment used before and after conditioning), which is considered just as effective, while leaving little or no callous or scars. My feeling is that the Chinese method is a slightly longer, lower impact method, where the Japanese style is higher impact and quicker in regards to development. In any event, conditioning should be maintained at least several times a week.
Taiso - Exercises:
Like
anything physical, it is good to alternate between cardiovascular type activity
and heavier endurance type activity. Jogging, jump-roping, cartwheels, hand
springs and walking on the hands are all good cardiovascular activities that
build the body up and establish better balance and control.
Muscle flexibility should also be mentioned, which is far under rated for good, long term physical health. As the body becomes older, it stiffens and hardens. Ligament, bone damage, and limited range of motion is common in older people. This is mostly the result of tight muscles that constrict movement, combined with reduced long term stimulation throughout the joints. The older one becomes, the greater the need for flexibility. Stretching should be performed while the muscles are warm, and pumped with blood; not cold before a workout. If there is not sufficient time to warm the muscles through exercise, other methods such as hot-ointments, vigorous rubbing with the hands, pounding the muscles with your fists, or hot water to achieve quick warming. Limited stretching in a hot tub or shower can also be beneficial and convenient.
Osoreru - Fear: the Great Oppressor
The last thing I would say in relationship to shugyo, training and life in general is to constantly endeavor to conquer fear. I know this is much easier said than done, but fear is the real killer in ones' life. To overcome fear is like having a massive weight lifted from your back. While fear can be to some degree a reaction, it is primarily a mindset based on lack of understanding or knowledge. There is a big difference between caution, foolishness and fear. For instance, it would be foolish to jump in front of a moving train. However, this type of danger should not be feared, just understood as a foolish decision. The same applies to caution. Fear technically defines as "apprehension towards that which is not known". If you become educated about and embrace that which causes your fear, you can overcome it.
A major, common fear for most people is death. Each person must address this issue for themselves. Personally, I would prefer not to die yet, but if I do die - by any means, then I accept that it must have been my time to die and remain thankful for the full life I've led. Some methods of working on this inhibitor that I've found beneficial are "extreme" endeavors such as skydiving, technical climbing (rock climbing), scuba diving, etc.
Please take a moment to consider to what depth fear controls your perspective, decisions and objectivity in life.
ｩ1999 Tsuki Kage dojo