I Agree...
Hello everyone,
I agree with Ben Sheppard's viewpoint that this was proving to be an enjoyable and stimulating discussion until the "waters got muddied" with a potential flame-out.
I sincerely appreciate all those who have been responding to the various discussion points I have raised in this thread and value your opinions highly. Therefore, let's seek a different direction for this ongoing discusssion.
The United States Tamiya Ryu Iaijutsu Organization firmly maintains the policy that three things supercede any kind of martial art training: First, family concerns of any kind (for example, a death in the family, the birth of a child, relationship problems, etc.); second, education-related matters (for example, the need to ask for time off from training due to the need to focus on studying for final exams, writing term papers and the like); and third, issues relating to one's employment (for example, being called out of town on business by one's boss, being asked to work overtime, etc.).
We feel that when any of our Deshi have one (or more) of these three areas "out of balance", then it becomes very difficult for them to focus their minds and energies during O-Keiko, despite all efforts to the contrary. As we say to all our Deshi when they enter the Dojo for training: "Leave any and all 'baggage' outside before you step into the Dojo environment...it WILL be waiting for you there when training is done."
I would be curious to hear how you, the readers of E-Budo, feel about this particular aspect of martial arts training and whether your Dojo has a similar viewpoint or policy.
Many thanks in advance for your responses!
Ogenki de,
Michael Gennan Alexanian
General Manager & Head Instructor
United States Tamiya Ryu Iaijutsu
Michigan Honbu Dojo
"Do not regret being ignored; regret being ignorant."
Ryuko