| When the average person thinks about the | | | | life! |
| martial art of Ninjutsu - the Ninja warrior's science | | | | - 2) Mental - One of the greatest skills of the |
| for surviving and overcoming overwhelming odds | | | | shadow warrior is his ability to think outside the |
| - they think almost exclusively about the martial | | | | box. The ability to see more than the obvious |
| and self-protection skills of the shadow warrior. | | | | "appearance"f things in front of him, gives the |
| And yet, there is so much more about this | | | | Ninja the insight and clarity to solve problems and |
| ancient, timeless, and powerful philosophy than | | | | create results which, to others, appears to be a |
| fighting and using cool weapons! | | | | kind of "crazy-wisdom." The shinobi warrior, having |
| In this article, I'll be focusing on the art of Ninjutsu | | | | gone through the lessons and training which |
| from a big-picture perspective - from a | | | | demanded a heightened awareness of his |
| life-mastery rather than merely a system of | | | | surroundings, an attention to detail, and the critical |
| physical self defense. What I want you to see is | | | | skill called "strategic-thinking," carries these new |
| one of the most important reasons that this | | | | skills and traits into every area of his life. Can you |
| powerful martial art has survived the test of time | | | | imagine how difficult and frustrating it would be |
| and is still available as a means you can use to | | | | for the aggressive salesman, the manipulative |
| get the results you're after today in the 21st | | | | co-worker, or the domineering and controlling |
| century. | | | | friend or family member to have you see their |
| In truth, ninjutsu, or ninpo as it's known in its | | | | tricks coming before they ever opened their |
| higher, philosophical form, can be seen to aid its | | | | mouths to speak?! |
| practitioners in progressing in three personal | | | | - 3) Spiritual/Emotional - This is the realm of the |
| development areas. The serious student who is | | | | heart. Rather than become the cold, uncaring, killer |
| able to see beyond the mechanical, step-by-step, | | | | that they books and movies portray, the true |
| physical self defense techniques, will gain more | | | | ninja is a deeply compassionate and spiritual |
| benefits than they ever considered when first | | | | individual. However, he or she is not controlled by |
| approaching their training. | | | | the dictates of the heart. This realm speaks of |
| The 3 Personal Development Areas of Ninjutsu | | | | the life-mastery and depth of experience that can |
| are: | | | | be yours as your training takes you to greater |
| - 1) Physical - As I said, this is the realm where | | | | levels of power, confidence, and control of, not |
| most people, especially here in the West, tend to | | | | only yourself, but of all aspects of your life. The |
| limit their focus. And, even the popular | | | | realm of the ninja is the realm of the spirit. And... |
| conceptions miss the amazing power and abilities | | | | ...the Ninja warrior's love, commitment, and vision |
| this art has to offer the student who knows | | | | guides him or her to develop the ability to: |
| where to look, and the right questions to ask his | | | | 1) Develop a body strong enough to stand for |
| or her instructor. Beyond physical self defense | | | | what is right |
| skills, the Ninja's martial art allows you to develop | | | | 2) Develop a mind that is as sharp as a blade, yet |
| a greater awareness of your body and how it | | | | as clear as a diamond,and... |
| works. This heightened awareness then, in-turn, | | | | 3) Develop a heart which is brave enough to |
| gives you a greater ability to monitor and effect | | | | crush your enemies, yet gentle enough to enjoy |
| your state of health, your energy and fitness | | | | the beauty of the wildflowers in the meadow. |
| level, and even the length and quality of your own | | | | |