Reflecting on this weekend was very easy for me because there was plenty of passion inside of me to try to remember every moment. Throughout the weekend there seemed to be plenty of positive energy flowing and from my experience with sports, with scouting, and with my career, a successful program can only be accomplished with good leadership. Thanks to Sensei Sukh Sandhu for providing leadership, and for setting a standard of excellence that we can strive to. 

My first reflection from the weekend was my realization on how far I have to go in my training in this martial art, despite the success of passing my rank exam and in attaining the green belt.  Passing the rank exam felt awesome, however, I realized that my responsibilities as a martial artist in this “old” style of jujutsu are now that much higher.  My community needs me to provide an example of greatness.  The practice to achieve the 3rd Kyu took many hours of practice and learning, which made me realize how much sacrifice Sukh and all the members of the dojo have done before me.  And for this, I am truly humbled.

The most memorable event of the weekend was the randori (free response).  My success in athletics was due to practice, practice and more practice, which made me realize that I need to have repetitive actions in this art form to achieve the same level of proficiency.  The randori made me realize how important each technique is in Kobudo. Furthermore, it made me realize that we don't know what situation we are going to be in at any given time in life, but it's important to know how to get out of them.  The randori was unique because it was “controlled”, which meant there was limited offensive technique (to keep everyone safe and to see how much we can be pushed).  Limited offensive taught me how to use the escape and receiving strategies.  Furthermore, I could use this example outside the dojo because I realized that I don't need to use my “intellectual” sword for my personal problems.  Success in life could be from exiting situations rather than confronting them.  Before the test we did “live” cutting on bamboo.  Cutting the bamboo stimulated many thoughts in my mind during the weekend.  First of all, I realized how important it is to practice with a training wooden sword.  If you treat a “training” weapon as it is the real tool, you are more comfortable with the ”real” tool and respect its power.  The cutting techniques of the wooden sword were the same as the live sword.  This helped my focus and I concentrated on the “live” sword as if it was the training one, which in turn helped me understand not to have fear of it, but respect. 

I had a  spiritual thought when I was done cutting with the live sword;  In Hebrews 4:12 it states:  "For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any two edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart, that the word is sharper than any two edged sword." 

 

Watching Sensei use his sword made me realize the responsibility of handling such a powerful weapon.  Thankfully, Sensei kept reminding us how dangerous the weapon could be should we not handle it correctly.   Sensei's awesome command with the weapon and his attention to safety showed his respect  for the weapon.

 As there are few individual’s that have mastered the sword, I realize how few have mastered the spiritual sword of life.  I look forward to polishing my character though Kobudo ever so more.