Josh Gold
Gendai-Budo is the label used to indicate the “softened” budo training following the post Meiiji Restoration – i.e., after 1868 which instead of existing for military preparation, Kobudo, has continued to exist as a heritage of personal discipline for self improvement.
Aikido, Judo, Kendo and other so-called “modern” budo are considered gendai budo. However, all budo have origins in kobudo and still contain the same potentials, albeit now covered or dressed up in a “softer” façade appearing to leave out the deadly potentials.
Some people say they consider the reason they train is for “spiritual” benefits but are unable to define what they mean by this. Ambiguity cannot be a worthwhile goal to aspire towards.
Why then did budo continue in this way instead of simply dissipating and disappearing altogether?
Looking at modern professional protectors, we observe certain symptoms. Compare those highly trained in death-dealing such as special forces operatives with that of the suburbanly comfortable sleepwalker whose main goal is to mow the lawn and whose greatest risk is a once in a lifetime paper-cut at the office.
What do we see?
Two disparate extremes. One is barely alive, but a mass of mostly undisciplined habits. The other lives on the edge. Immensely disciplined, perhaps over-disciplined. Such a one is perhaps too alive.
Getting stuck in either extreme carries immense risk. On the one hand, the sleepwalker misses out on life whilst believing himself to be alive. On the other, death is too well understood. So much so, the honed edge of caution can be detrimental in sleepy society with its dreams and theories.
The professional warrior on retuning from campaign runs the risk of psychological dysfunction, post-traumatic-stress, adaptation trauma, chronic fatigue, damage from chemical exposure, sleep deprivation, malnutrition and other symptoms of battle damage, which without consciously applied, proper nurturing and de-escalation programs specially designed, could become menacing to both himself and others. Stuck in hyper survival reflexes, for example, it could give rise to domestic and other violence, crime (the same or similar actions in a different context), unresolved psychological trauma and substance abuse in the hope of finding some measure of alleviation from nightmares, memories and ghosts through alcohol and drug abuse.
The suburban dreamer on the other hand, living too far towards the other direction risks missing the rich dimensions of life in a meaningless and predictable suburban rote of; rise, sh***, shower, shave, brush teeth, breakfast, traffic jam, uninventive groveling compliance at the office or production line, interspersed with the same junk food and mindless conversation break, more traffic, dinner, TV, a beer and if he and his partner have any energy left, perhaps an often meaningless and unexciting shag before sleep. And then this death dealing habituation repeats with a predictable weekend either moonlighting to make ends meet or some other predictable habit. And the next week repeats. Living death. Also often interspersed with drug dependences and denial of the fact that something is not all OK.
Either extreme is no life. One too urgent, the other insufficiently urgent; both with attendant stresses on body, mind and soul.
One is starved of everything human, the other usually glutted and unappreciative. Both are killing themselves
Human respect foremost, regular practice of Gendai budo provides a dynamic oasis that bridges that gap and revives some measure of balance and heart. It brings you to the moment and back to yourself and thereby you get to dip into the ocean of life, the essence of what it means to be a human expression of something greater than ourselves. The sleepwalking suburbanite gets glimpses into real risk and the overstretched ex pro can get a chance to fulfill his battle habits with compassion. And often thus training together each gains from a glimpse into the dimension of the other.
The result, despite the theories of those who would claim otherwise, are usually therapeutic at a deep core level because you get to make the measure of bodies, minds and intentions in a relatively softened appearance of contention without real death dealing trauma or intent. Rather mutual respect. Such living contact helps to reclaim a measure of deep self-respect by escalating the too dormant and de-escalating the too hyper and finding balance.
After training most people sleep better and sleep is natures primary healer of the mind, the soul and the body during recovery.
A measure of harmony, equilibrium and living balance becomes the goal, kokoro; as opposed to the discord fomented by either idleness, or the neurasthenia of burnout.
Living chi balances and flows normally again.
There are many methods of returning from either torpor, or post excessive stess collapse.
Balance is a worthwhile goal and a humbling experience reminding us of our limitations as well as real potentials
I think the Middle Way was not invented by the Buddha, but rather noticed and issued as a reminder to find it, because in balance is found heart and in heart is found true peace and clarity of perspective which illuminates body, mind and soul and restores humanity.
If you find training mysteriously restoring of your psyche and integrity at a deep level, then you already know why it has continued as an honorable tradition into modern times and will no doubt remain so for as long as there are human beings who seek the pinnacle of what it means to be a human being. A living, balanced and dynamic human being able to digest rigorous experience and yet still able live life fully and respectfully in quieter times as well.
Nev Sagiba
I think one can get that from all sorts of disciplines other than budo….. It’s my choice because I’m maybe a little eccentric like the rest of you budo, martial art types out their….
My only difference is I tend to be more of a doer rather than a “thinker” or a “writer”
…modern American life is full of poorly appreciated peril. tens of thousands die in their cars every year. of the tens of thousands who die of violence, most are casualties in the so-called War on Drugs.
there is, however, some overlap between quotidian middle-class death and criminal class violence. the overlap can be larger, as in my old San Francisco neighborhood, or smaller as it is out here in the suburbs.
i’ve said often that i train because by the time i was in my teens i was tired of those who were bigger, stronger, more assertive taking it for granted that they could push me around to their hearts’ content. took me a while to find aikido, but, well, here i am.
so far as i can tell aikido “works”. it works in keiko and for whatever reason i no longer seem to be perceived as a convenient butt for random aggression.