Ninjutsu & Spiritual Philosophy

The philosophy of ninjutsu is a spiritual one, for ninja were warrior monks who renounced the pleasures and comforts of materialism to live a life of bliss through nature, training, and minimalism. This was their method and largely aided their pursuit of enlightenment.

The basic idea of any spiritual practise is to overcome the body-mind ego-self where most separation therefore suffering lies especially due to the lowest & densest falling physical human elements of earth & water (survival stress & pleasure pain), where the senses of smell & taste begin, and where all the other senses (especially sight & feeling) are amplified, aided by separation of body-mind.

This is achieved via energy efficiency, which is crucial because the more you expend energy, the more you lose it therefore deplete energy especially life force (ki / chi / prana / The Force) which amplifies 4th sense (feeling vibrations), powers attraction & manifestation (without endlessly slaving away), intuition (non thought reliance), and saves you from both physical & mental pain (disease / injury & thinking) because body-mind-soul is actually One but seem separate due to dualism which lead to duality due to ego. Last but not least, it aids in powering the 3rd eye which aside from fully eliminating the agonizing treachery of the illusion of separation of the dual senses (duality), it especially removes dualism of physicial & mental separation (objects & their subjects / people & their characters), and awakens the kunda (brain pit coil) which gives exceptional talents and abilities.

Dualism is the illusion of separation between masculine unmanifest & feminine manifest which got carried down in frequency from Spirit in 3 levels / dimensions (soul to mind to body) which lead to duality. Duality is the illusion of separation between masculine & feminine principles through the bodily senses within materialism itself, i.e. pleasure / pain, good / bad, light / dark, white / black, life / death, dry hot / wet cold, spring summer / fall winter, etc.

The main idea of spiritual growth is the term ‘modeling‘, which means acting like something in order to become it. In materialism this is explained as which account you invest the most money, there will be bigger balance. Therefore, put most “money” into Spirit account (high 6th element modeling), least into body account (low earth & water elements modeling), and some into mind account (middle fire, air, & ether elements modeling), because you cannot exist without ego (as body-mind) without desire, but you definitely can invest less “money” there.

Let’s use the term “efficiency” for minimizing unwanted account balance. That balance is karma (low, medium, or high) determining perspective therefore clarity therefore level of happiness & even ease of achievement of desires.

Body-energy efficiency is done through… minimal movement, minimal weight, minimal communication, minimal 5 sense stimulation (austerity therefore solitude & shelter helps), being natural through natural diet (junk & too much food depletes energy), natural posture, natural body & foot movement (if needed) with minimal muscle usage (especially via Taijutsu / body-art whereby the hands follow the feet; the core & lower body is where most power comes from), & detoxification practices.

This is where art (air element) begins, and although martial arts is mostly about controlling evil (fire element). – not as much as about survival (earth element) as commonly accepted – the less one uses physical force, the more air element (astral / non physically trapped or identified) one is.

Mind-energy efficiency is done through minimizing reliance on past memory (water element) & future planning (fire element) especially through formlessness (seeing underlying principles) & intuition (5th / fully formless almost non-mental ether element) aided by logic, order, and especially perseverance (3rd / physical-mental masculine fire element) & largely so by critical-thinking, & especially by gentleness, kindness, and compassion (4th / non-physical feminine air element); it’s usually sequential (Warrior to Austere to Divine / sadhak to sadhu to sidha). After all, female ninjas were called Kunoichi (meaning ether of unity) due to their naturally superior air element (softness, kindness & compassion). Ironically, this is the less energy efficient masculine approach by self-development & balancing the masculine & feminine elements.

After the 5th element is activated through effortlessness (least emphasis on using therefore being body-mind), proceed to even more mental effortlessness to open the 3rd eye (6th / soul / no mind element) that sees clearly through the illusion of duality & even within dualism / separation of Nature (the 5 elements everywhere), to realize that is actually Spirit in disguise, for real eyes realize real lies. This is why in ancient practices, we bow to everything and everyone, because all is sacred, All is One. The soul will then further support the 5th element because of its natural attachment to the mind’s higher elements (ether & air, and to some extent, fire), and because of the 6th element’s central channel’s intersections with the 2 masculine & feminine ones. This is the more energy efficient feminine approach by eliminating the 5 elements (especially the masculine & feminine) by not being them.

6th element is activated through the 3 affirmation methods of same modeling (in this case the centered & non dual observer soul) through meditation (moving or still), movement (such as kata & mudra / kuji in & kuji kiri), visualization (sometimes with breath / kokyu), incantation (mantra / shingon), aside from mirroring (mingling, copying, & idolizing / worshipping). Those are very effective when combined. Even this should eventually end up being effortless as dhayana / tai chi (effortless awareness over mind), which removes almost all suffering, until liberation.

In a nutshell: be aware of perseveringly & consistently practicing efficiency through austerity, cooperation, strategy, open-mindedness, and especially gentleness, kindness, & compassion until thoughts disappear with the rise of intuition, and until the 3rd eye of non duality sees clearly through the illusion of separation.

After the 6th element is activated through sustained middle way, proceed to unite with the Ultimate (9th / Spirit / no ego element) that sees clearly through the illusion of dualism / separation of anything through remaining at middle way. Like any worthwhile skill, drill deeply for the Truth till you find it, then you can not but overflow with Love.

Even if it is about being a good warrior (or any dharma), win the war within and you win the war without. Until then, do your best to consistently model the divine design of feminine principle outside (gentle, smooth, caring, kind) and masculine principle inside (intuition, conscience, consciousness). This especially applies to warrior dharma, for the greatest predator is not he who wins every confrontation, but he who wins without it.

Here are a few other great ones:

• Throwing knives, blow guns, sound decoys – Assassin’s Creed Mirage: https://youtu.be/uRLlqIkcHeM?si=chcwkbafsJkWe8k8
• Grappling hooks, mines, double-head bash – Arkham City: https://youtu.be/Lo2vIDscIyk?si=UjbDiX3ox7i9tHl_
• Flash bangs, electronic boomerangs, voice synthesis decoys, weapon hacking, environment usage – Arkham Knight: https://youtu.be/8y_9CcQlmH8?si=GIPlea4_m-AHRFaS
• Camping, joint dislocation – Arkham Origins: https://youtu.be/YKsp1ipzoeI?si=50L4kX-q2ARUoKjd

WHAT WHY HOW of LIFE

• What: analyses life. More frequently studied in martial arts to learn to live long & peacefully.

Energy, Mind, Body /// Attitude, Tactics, Techniques /// Life, Strategy, Habits ///
Philosophy, Principles, Practise /// Philosophy, Concepts, How Tos. // Spirituality, Knowledge, Physique

Each of the 3 has 3 Whats followed by their Whys and Hows.

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• Why: why there is destruction & suffering, why we are here.

How Ego is born: Me (seperation of energies: good or bad leading to emotions leading to desires) &
My (linking of energies to forms) &
Mine (seperation of energies from forms).

Anti meditation: judge, memorize / copy, remember / paste.

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• How: how to be your true self by meditation.

Contradiction, Concept, Constance / Purpose, Now, Balance / Spirit, Mind, Body.

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3 Aspects of the Ninja

Ninjutsu spiritual philosophy reveals itself in the 3 aspects of the ninja, namely the following:

1) surprise

People fear most that which is unknown, so let your enemy bask in their fear, and let that fear come from you. Surprise (using the 5th element of the mind) causes paralysis, and requires deception (the greatest tool of warfare & survival) which requires:

a) secrecy
i) hide your identity
ii) hide your habits
iii) hide your intentions

b) peacefulness
The less you fight the less people know that you can fight, and the more you gain their trust.

c) adaptation
i) stealth: blend in the dark by patience & agility
ii) no stealth: blend in the light by normality. Gain their trust; keep your enemy closest.
iii) culture: blend with other humans by learning their language, accent, habits with respect (open the mind)

2) efficiency
a) natural posture
(this is not only for effectiveness of motion but for good overall health by proper ki flow & muscular & skeletal longevity)
i) Ninjutsu interpretation: ears over shoulders -> shoulders over ribs -> ribs over hips -> hips over knees -> knees over ankles
ii) 3LAW interpretation: 3 spinal curves; 1 @ the coccix (lowest part), 1 @ the lumbar (above hip), 1 @ the cervical (into the head)

iii) Pilates interpretation: 5 principles 1) breath (breath in through the nose into the abdomin then T shape into the shoulders, breath out through the mouth by pursed lips slowly without loosing spinal alighnment & balancing in breath with out breath speed). 2) spinal alignment (maintain a neutral spine via the slight thorasik inside bend, know the imprint (straight) spinal alighnment. 3) shoulder placement: keep your shoulders beside you, relaxed down but not slouching, and not up tight too much either like some boxers do, without tension. 4) rib placement: as you breath in dont let your ribs flare that your spine bends back, put the air into the abdomen first & foremost, ribs second. 5) cervical placement: keep a slight nod in the head so throat is protected by the chin and spine connects to the brain well.

b) natural movement (briefly; each element has 3 aspects but here covering only 2)
i) chi (earth): use knees for power or movement up or down
ii) sui (water): use hips for power or movement diagonally
iii) ka (fire): use chest for power or movement forward / backward
iv) fu (air): use shoulders for power or movement to side
v) ku (ether): use any or your creativity to deceive.

c) natural thinking (self)
think in terms on concepts, values, ideas ==> connect those energies so they are one for unity -> self realization

3) survival
a) always
Never give up, even if you loose / escape a battle then the war is not over, next battle will be better whether through you or others that learn from you.

b) cheat
Survival is not about rules & fair fight / tit for tat boxing, it is about using whatever is at your disposal including weapons (including teeth, voice, opponent weaknesses such as hair, habits / routines, injuries, etc.), friends, terrain, climate, and deception. Look for a way that gives you an edge; it is usual that the good person who does not over-consume to have less at hand so it is necessary.

c) attack
Attack is the best defense. If you have an enemy with intent to kill but wait then you might not have the awareness / agility / readiness to fight, so use the element of surprise before your enemy does.

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San Shin

The Ninjutsu spiritual philosophy reveales itself in the San (3) Shin (hearts) are not just the 5 elements, they are:

1. Go Dai No Kata / mind & body over other bodies’ 5 output organs / 5 scenarios – to protect body from:
   1. tsukis (punches)
   2. geris (kicks)
   3. kata mooneh dori (one hand chest grab), ryo mooneh dori (two hand chest grab)
   4. kata te dori / te ho doki (hands grab / release): same-side, across
   5. ryo te dori (hands / wrists grab with 2 hands)
2. Go Gyo No Kata / mind over same body & mind’s 5 elements in their energy center, movement, breath, thinking (more info in ‘elements in ninjutsu’ doc) – to remove body (form) by:
   1. chi (earth / power)
   2. sui (water / energy)
   3. ka (fire / harmony)
   4. fu (air / healing)
   5. ku (ether / intuition)
3. Shin / Self / Spirit (observer / audience) over soul (player / actor) over mind’s (subject / character) 5 input senses over body (object / vehicle) for 4 more elements: awareness, synchronicity, creation, enlightenment – to remove mind (senses & thoughts) by overcoming:
   1. chi (earth / power): smell
   2. sui (water / energy): taste
   3. ka (fire / harmony): sight
   4. fu (air / healing): touch (including inner)
   5. ku (ether / intuition): sound

Use that basic awareness over mind while practicing Unity of masculine unmanifest through the lingam / pole / phallus with feminine manifest yoni / base / hole. The same is done by the elements at the same time: rising unmanifest masculine fire & air with falling feminine manifest water & earth.

In Ninjutsu we represent this by moving meditation of modeling methods named Sanshin No Kata (san means 3: feminine body-mind manifest with masculine unmanifest soul) meditation (when used for physical energy efficiency then we call it Go Gyu meaning 5 jewels) the manifest & unmanifest elements with the 5 elements strikes.

Master of #2 (the body) is elementful (formless), while master of the mind (#3) is elementless (beyond mind).

Self is not understood let alone explained in current Takamatsu Den system. Self is basically observation of Spirit (audience) over soul (actor) over mind’s (character) thoughts & 5 input senses over body (vehicle) & 5 output organs.

Technically speaking: all San Shin are actually for war: Go Dai for outer war (body against other bodies), Go Gyu for middle war (mind v.s. body / senses & form), and Shin for inner war: 1st innermost war (soul v.s. mind and its duality due to the senses & thoughts), and 2nd innermost war (Spirit v.s. soul to know the difference between ego self and Spirit non self by removing all separation by realizing all souls equally and without any separation therefore removing self / individuality completely).

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The 5 5s / 3.14

The Ninjutsu spiritual philosophy reveals itself in the 5 5s / 3.14. Based on San Shin No Kata, we derive the 3.14 / 5 5s as all the concepts of Ninjutsu:

Efficiency, Action, Reaction

1) efficiency

1.1. natural movement (Go Gyu No Kata – 5 elements)

1.2. natural posture (5 principles)

1.3. natural thinking (self)

more info in ‘3 aspects of the Ninja’ (aspect 2 – efficiency)

2) action

Go Dai No Kata – 5 scenarios

3) reaction

3.1. mind & spirit

3.2. 5 reactions (ABCDE)

3.3. 5 targets (of the attacker)

3.4. resistance: distract with change

3.1) mind & spirit

To ensure the techniques work then use as many as the following as possible:

Mind (strategy):

1. anatomy: the right vital / pressure point
2. mechanics: the right angle esp. 3^rd point (where back of 2 heals meet)
3. timing: at the right time; synchronize your movement with the opponents’ (“rotsudo”)

Spirit (elements)

1. distance: close enough to apply
2. breath: sync element with the outward breath
3. foresight: expect the unexpected – get into the mind of the opponent and get into position for the counter attack (fire element)

3.2) ABCDE:

1. A: absorb (basic: roll with the punch) / (advanced: limbs)
2. B: block (basic: cover) / (advanced: prevent)
3. C: counter: (basic: after evasion / block) / (advanced (attacking limb) weak point)
4. D: deflect
5. E: evade

More details in ‘uke (receives)’

3.3) 5 Targets (in ascending order of danger):

1. legs (esp. joints)
2. arms (esp. joints)
3. abdomen (esp. liver)
4. groin & chest (esp. solar plexus)
5. throat & face & head

3.4) Resistance

When encountering resistance on performing a technique (especially grappling), either:

1. distract: spit / blow / bite / strike / shout / kiss / break balance
2. with: go with the force
3. change: change the technique!

However, remain in movement as it is a battle field art so finish quick and be prepared for the next attack / opponent.

I hope now you see how wonderfully deep the Ninjutsu spiritual philosophy is 🙂

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