Philosophy of the Santa Cruz Jujitsu Academy

Danzan Ryu Jujitsu is a traditional Japanese martial art that provides a vehicle for training physical, mental and spiritual components of humankind. Practice of the physical techniques not only increases the strength and flexibility of the muscles, but also strengthens the ligaments and tendons by providing a means of increased nutrient flow to these avascular tissues. Furthermore these techniques strengthen the skeletal system by stimulating the bones to absorb calcium phosphate.

The Japanese have developed exceptional methods of increasing the powers of concentration and mental focus. This is evident in the Japanese arts such as Calligraphy and the Tea Ceremony. Also the business success of the Japanese in the modem world owes much to these developments of mental training. These same methods are employed in the Japanese martial arts, and by the proper practice of Jujitsu, one's mental powers naturally increase, helping the practitioner to succeed in all areas of life.

An honest study of the martial arts is definitely a means to spiritual development. A spiritual study means a study of the self. A moral person who studies techniques that are violent and potentially harmful to others must constantly ask his or her self;

Why am I studying this?

What constitutes justification to apply these techniques on others?

These questions lead to deeper and deeper probing of the self, ultimately bringing the person to an understanding of the root causes of their motivations and belief structures. Those people who reach this understanding consequently develop a strong sense of identity and purpose in life. These people also discover the most potent and unconditional source of happiness -- contact with their soul.

It is my personal belief that all people, on the deepest level, are good. Those who are motivated to do violent or cruel acts are deluded into thinking that they will find happiness through that route. Reciprocating violence will not reform them or teach them the superior happiness of self discovery. Passively allowing them to continue until they see for themselves the error in their ways may ultimately win them over, but few of us are prepared to make the sacrifices that are necessary for this as great leaders such as Mahatma Gandhi and Martin Luther King Jr. were willing to do. I was attracted to Danzan Ryu Jujitsu because it offers a third alternative. First of all it teaches a psychology of de-escalating potentially violent situations so that ideally, no physical techniques are required. Secondly, in the event of physical confrontation the techniques offer a means of controlling another without causing physical injury. In the martial arts it is far easier to learn to hurt than to learn how not to harm but to practice with this goal in mind brings internal peace, not only from self confidence, but also from satisfaction of moral conscience.

- Sensei Mark Peters

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