M. Ueshiba wrote:
The penetrating brilliance of swords
Wielded by followers of the Way
Strikes at the evil enemy
Lurking deep within
Their own souls and bodies
Quote:
|
Bill Danosky wrote:
you don't really have to harm your opponent to defend yourself, unless you choose to, for whatever reason.
|
Without the ability there is no choice...which is why my signature is what it is.
Quote:
|
Bill Danosky wrote:
I'm finding that I'm getting more and more soft-hearted in my old age. Unless there are some very serious mitigating circumstances, I prefer not to have to kill anyone, or really even cause anyone any permanent injury.
|
This is not soft-hearted this is humanity.
Quote:
|
Bill Danosky wrote:
OTOH, sometimes a weapon is called for, like in cases of multiple opponents, or when defending against "major" weaponry.
|
M. Ueshiba wrote:
"The essence of the martial arts is the spirit of loving protection of all beings in the universe."
This includes you.
The sword is a weapon and a weapon is a tool. The tool does not direct the person wielding it. How we use the sword is up to us. We can train with it as a means of cutting down an opponent or we can train with it as a means of tempering ourselves and stripping away the layers of falsehoods we surround ourselves with.
But that's just my take
Bronson