It is very easy to think of different martial arts as being different only in technique—“In karatedo they hit and kick, but in aikido they throw and pin”— and assume that this is the end of it. There are, however, some profound fundamental differences between the major martial arts groups and until you come to understand these differences and their philosophical implications, even if you study for a hundred years, you will never master the art.

During a recent conversation on budō, the topic of just how difficult it is to judge a kata in an open karate tournament came up. For a JKA black-belt to judge a series of JKA kata is not too hard. But, what if he has to look at a series of kata from schools as diverse as Shorin-ryū, Gōjū-ryū, and Wadō-ryū? Aside from the fact that there are major differences in techniques, there will also be some major differences in the philosophy behind the techniques.

The journey is a long one, from basic jūjutsu to the ethereal realm of pure aiki, yet it is a road oft traveled. Some people never make it past the primitive stage of a thump on the head, while others take a few faltering steps and lose their way. But the magic remains. A magic that, once experienced even for a fleeting moment, traps an individual in a silken web.

For those of you who don’t really understand the intricacies of Japanese forms of address (and for those of you who think you understand it, but don’t) here are some guidelines…

Each instructor will have HIS budo; a way of doing a certain group of things that are unique. This budo is the sum of his years of training, distilled and filtered, and flavored with his own spirit.

Mindfulness is not an act, but a state of being.

Traditions are codified methods of success passed down from generation to generation. Formal and informal traditions arise from necessity in times of crisis and disruption, and serve to maintain the coherence and integrity of a family, organization, or institution over generations.

People around the world have performed and will continue to act in situations and conditions that try the human spirit.

Should you find yourself facing fear, here is a simple, useful tool to control it, and act! (It is equally effective dealing with the fears and anxieties of everyday life.)