Hey, everyone. I have finalized my plans and made all related reservations for a trip later this week to Chicagoland to get my Kuji on.
The Warrior's Edge martial arts school, in Naperville, IL, a northwest suburb of Chicago, plans a Kuji Mind Science Workshop on March 7-8 with Do-shu Thomas Jotoshi Maienza. The Warrior's Edge is affiliated with the Jizaikan school of ninjutsu. More information can be found at the dojo's Web site: http://www.thewarriorsedge.com/.
Mr. Maienza, the head of the Jizaikan organization, which teaches a form of aiki ninjutsu, is a former associate of To-Shin Do Anshu Stephen K. Hayes, regarded by many as perhaps the most authoritative source in the Western world on the subject of Kuji-In and Kuji-Kiri.
I'm scheduled to take a relaxing ride to Chicago via Amtrak so that I can a) maximize my chances of getting to my destination without interference from the weather, and b) relax and review all of my Kuji study materials on the way to and from.
I will, of course, be paying very close to attention to all the materials and every aspect of the instruction, and looking to compare, contrast and otherwise incorporate it all into the material I have received from Buddhist teacher Francois Lepine and other well-informed, confidential sources.
Check back for an update and for my review on the seminar and how it relates to the other teaching sources. I have yet to decide if I'll take my laptop on the train to Chicago. If I do decide to take it, I'll provide some details here as soon as possible.
Stay tuned!
May the sacred Five Elements of the Universe, all Dharma protectors in the three dimensions, and the vast great Divine Mystery that underlies them all, open the way for my participation in this event, and may their blessing be upon all participants.
So be it for the benefit of all sentient beings.
In the name of the Buddha, the Dharma and the Sangha.
Hai!
-T.N.O.-
Tuesday, March 3, 2009
Monday, February 2, 2009
Kuji Goshin Ho Translation In The House!
Today I received an uncommon English translation of a Kuji Goshin Ho manual, along with the Japanese text in traditional Japanese sutra style booklet form (not sure what the exact term for that is -- please forgive).
The booklet includes drawings of all relevant finger-weaving mudra as well as the mantra of course, along with instructions for the "cutting" of the Kuji grid.
In addition, there are some related rituals, including an early rising ritual with an accompanying prayer.
The booklet drawings and the translation track very closely with another rare manuscript I obtained recently from another source, and includes a few details absent from that document.
Man! I'm psyched! Coming up, I've got a Kuji-In seminar to attend in the Chicago area next month, and then Stephen Hayes is scheduled to release a pair of Kuji-In DVDs (see previous post).
I am increasingly the beneficiary of unseen hands and will do everything in my power to be faithful to the teachings so that they may be extended and passed on to those selected to receive them.
May the Five Elements of the Universe and all Dharma Protectors in the three dimensions be praised! Homage to the sacred Kuji masters for sharing their secrets with me!
Hai!
The booklet includes drawings of all relevant finger-weaving mudra as well as the mantra of course, along with instructions for the "cutting" of the Kuji grid.
In addition, there are some related rituals, including an early rising ritual with an accompanying prayer.
The booklet drawings and the translation track very closely with another rare manuscript I obtained recently from another source, and includes a few details absent from that document.
Man! I'm psyched! Coming up, I've got a Kuji-In seminar to attend in the Chicago area next month, and then Stephen Hayes is scheduled to release a pair of Kuji-In DVDs (see previous post).
I am increasingly the beneficiary of unseen hands and will do everything in my power to be faithful to the teachings so that they may be extended and passed on to those selected to receive them.
May the Five Elements of the Universe and all Dharma Protectors in the three dimensions be praised! Homage to the sacred Kuji masters for sharing their secrets with me!
Hai!
Friday, January 30, 2009
Kuji no In DVDs Soon to be Available From Anshu Stephen K. Hayes
Martial arts legend Anshu Stephen K. Hayes, the "first American ninja," is poised to re-introduce his monthly private-lesson DVD study program, and the first six lessons include two on the Kuji no In, otherwise known, of course, as the Kuji-In.
The May installment is scheduled to feature "Kuji no In Overview Part 1," with a follow-up part 2 slated for the June edition.
Subscribers to the monthly program will get their DVDs in a more timely manner at a reduced price point per DVD than those that wait to buy individual DVDs separately.
But if you just want the two Kuji DVDs, perhaps the smartest approach to take is to join the subscription program right before May or on May 1, then quit after you receive the June DVD. That way you get them both right away, at a price that's about $5 off the regular price point.
However, I don't know if there is a minimum number of months for the subscription, and if I can find out, I'll provide an update.
Check out this page on his Stephen K. Hayes Quest Web site for more information on his private-lesson DVD program.
Namaste.
The May installment is scheduled to feature "Kuji no In Overview Part 1," with a follow-up part 2 slated for the June edition.
Subscribers to the monthly program will get their DVDs in a more timely manner at a reduced price point per DVD than those that wait to buy individual DVDs separately.
But if you just want the two Kuji DVDs, perhaps the smartest approach to take is to join the subscription program right before May or on May 1, then quit after you receive the June DVD. That way you get them both right away, at a price that's about $5 off the regular price point.
However, I don't know if there is a minimum number of months for the subscription, and if I can find out, I'll provide an update.
Check out this page on his Stephen K. Hayes Quest Web site for more information on his private-lesson DVD program.
Namaste.
Thursday, January 15, 2009
Another Kuji-In Benefit: Increased Martial Arts Sensitivity
In our last class at the dojo, earlier this week, I discovered first-hand another benefit of the Kuji-In training, and another example of how perfectly the Kuji-In works with training in the art of ninpo budo taijutsu.
During our sword training exercises, I had two clear and distinct moments where I could discern a notable improvement in my sensitivity to some of the energies involved. In both instances, right before the shift in my awareness, the instructor made a brief comment.
In the first instance, he discussed and illustrated the proper grip to use in holding the bokken or bokuto (the wooden practice sword), and as soon as I replicated the grip, the bokken suddenly seemed like just another extension of my body; more particularly, like an extension of my own body’s skeletal system. I was amazed.
In the second instance, the instructor provided a bit of insight about initiating the proper movement of the sword, suggesting (for the purposes of this particular exercise) to swing the sword in a manner almost like casting a fishing line. As soon as I executed this, I could immediately sense the energy of the bokken itself as it moved through the air. I quickly pointed this out to the rest of the class.
I realized I had put my upper body out a little too forward, thus relying too much on my upper body movement and that of my arms to execute the swing. But once I was shown the error of my way and properly executed the “fishing line throw” while keeping my body out of the way, I could feel the true energy of the bokken and the technique itself rise and present itself to me.
I’m sure I would have never discerned any of this without my practice with the Kuji-In. Now, granted, it took some suggestions from my instructor to prompt the shift in perceptions, so the Kuji-In itself was not solely responsible for the altered awareness. But I have been corrected in my techniques many times before, and never with such a noticeable shift in my perceptions. Thus, another illustration of how practicing the two disciplines together can augment one another.
I offer this to you for whatever it’s worth.
Keep going, keep sitting, keep practicing, keep training.
Namaste,
-The Ninja Onmyoji
During our sword training exercises, I had two clear and distinct moments where I could discern a notable improvement in my sensitivity to some of the energies involved. In both instances, right before the shift in my awareness, the instructor made a brief comment.
In the first instance, he discussed and illustrated the proper grip to use in holding the bokken or bokuto (the wooden practice sword), and as soon as I replicated the grip, the bokken suddenly seemed like just another extension of my body; more particularly, like an extension of my own body’s skeletal system. I was amazed.
In the second instance, the instructor provided a bit of insight about initiating the proper movement of the sword, suggesting (for the purposes of this particular exercise) to swing the sword in a manner almost like casting a fishing line. As soon as I executed this, I could immediately sense the energy of the bokken itself as it moved through the air. I quickly pointed this out to the rest of the class.
I realized I had put my upper body out a little too forward, thus relying too much on my upper body movement and that of my arms to execute the swing. But once I was shown the error of my way and properly executed the “fishing line throw” while keeping my body out of the way, I could feel the true energy of the bokken and the technique itself rise and present itself to me.
I’m sure I would have never discerned any of this without my practice with the Kuji-In. Now, granted, it took some suggestions from my instructor to prompt the shift in perceptions, so the Kuji-In itself was not solely responsible for the altered awareness. But I have been corrected in my techniques many times before, and never with such a noticeable shift in my perceptions. Thus, another illustration of how practicing the two disciplines together can augment one another.
I offer this to you for whatever it’s worth.
Keep going, keep sitting, keep practicing, keep training.
Namaste,
-The Ninja Onmyoji
Sunday, January 11, 2009
A New Benefit Found From the Kuji-In: Better Relationships
As I noted in my previous post, I'm in the process of winding down my introductory exploration of the sixth aspect of the Kuji-In, "JIN," which is said to give the practitioner the ability to read the thoughts of others, and to project thoughts onto the minds of others; that is to say, to communicate telepathically -- a (perhaps limited) wireless, high-speed Vulcan mind-meld, you might say.
Well, as you may remember, the third aspect of the nine-fold Kuji-In is the "TOH" aspect, which is said to cultivate harmony.
I've discovered that one of the side effects of these two aspects working together is to improve my relationships with some of the people I'm close with. Nuts? Well, let me explain, or at least illustrate.
I'm increasingly finding that a few of my closest "peeps"and I are sharing thought; that is to say, I may say something that someone close to me is thinking, or vice versa. Now, every body has that kind of thing happen; not a big deal, right?
But the frequency of this phenomenon is noticeably increasing in my own day to day life. And the effect this has is to deepen the sense of connection that I have with these individuals -- we're obviously so literally on the same wave length -- and it fosters this sense of "TOH" harmony with those around me.
I found this happening repeatedly throughout the day today, and on more than one occasion, so much so that it seemed like it was nearly instantaneous.
And I'll also note, in my martial art training, we have periodically worked on various energy drills (energy sharing, energy sensing, energy projection) where you consciously, deliberately, premeditatedly set out to communicate a very specific message, image, sense, etc., to another individual.
And this recent phenomenon is not that. Not ANY of that. No conscious effort on my part to communicate telephatically with someone; not trying to read someone's mind or pick up someone's thoughts; not trying to "send a message." It's just happening.
I was surprised at this unexpected development. Of course, these people are close to me, so I don't have any resistance to getting even closer with them, and I think that has something to do with the efficiacy of this result. The unity and harmony of my inner being, and the openness of my mind to this result, even though it was consciously unintended, has had a lot to do with this coming to pass, I suspect.
This in turn raises a key point when it comes to the Kuji-In, saiminjutsu, and perhaps other forms of visualzation: the more agreement there is within you for a given outcome, the greater the effectiveness of the practice and the higher the likelihood of success or accomplishment.
I hope I'm making sense. For instance, you might think you want to lose weight, and you might practice a given mantra/mudra/mandala (mental image/visualization) to help accomplish this. But if you don't want to cut back on your meal portions or change the content of your diet, and you don't want to work out, you're not giving your visualization anything to work with.
Or maybe you don't want to spend the money to buy new, smaller clothes. Something as simple as this creates resistance that slows, diminishes or perhaps even blocks you from accomplishing what you think or say or believe is a goal of yours. (This might be particularly relevant in our culture here in the U.S. where so many people still like to set New Year's resolutions.)
You might think you want something; to accomplish a particular goal. But do you? Think through things deeply and clearly. Have you considered all of the implications? Are you committed to making the requisite changes -- and dare I say, even sacrifices -- to have what it is you say or you think you really want?
The Kuji-In process helps you align all of the internal parts of your self regarding this; not necessarily on a conscious level; more on an energetic level. But the more light you can shed within your own mind, the more awareness you bring to an issue, the more clarity you will find. Then you can consciously eliminate some of the hindrances to the success you claim you are seeking.
In other words, you can consciously evolve.
I humbly suggest this be considered.
Devotedly yours,
-The Ninja Onmyoji
Well, as you may remember, the third aspect of the nine-fold Kuji-In is the "TOH" aspect, which is said to cultivate harmony.
I've discovered that one of the side effects of these two aspects working together is to improve my relationships with some of the people I'm close with. Nuts? Well, let me explain, or at least illustrate.
I'm increasingly finding that a few of my closest "peeps"and I are sharing thought; that is to say, I may say something that someone close to me is thinking, or vice versa. Now, every body has that kind of thing happen; not a big deal, right?
But the frequency of this phenomenon is noticeably increasing in my own day to day life. And the effect this has is to deepen the sense of connection that I have with these individuals -- we're obviously so literally on the same wave length -- and it fosters this sense of "TOH" harmony with those around me.
I found this happening repeatedly throughout the day today, and on more than one occasion, so much so that it seemed like it was nearly instantaneous.
And I'll also note, in my martial art training, we have periodically worked on various energy drills (energy sharing, energy sensing, energy projection) where you consciously, deliberately, premeditatedly set out to communicate a very specific message, image, sense, etc., to another individual.
And this recent phenomenon is not that. Not ANY of that. No conscious effort on my part to communicate telephatically with someone; not trying to read someone's mind or pick up someone's thoughts; not trying to "send a message." It's just happening.
I was surprised at this unexpected development. Of course, these people are close to me, so I don't have any resistance to getting even closer with them, and I think that has something to do with the efficiacy of this result. The unity and harmony of my inner being, and the openness of my mind to this result, even though it was consciously unintended, has had a lot to do with this coming to pass, I suspect.
This in turn raises a key point when it comes to the Kuji-In, saiminjutsu, and perhaps other forms of visualzation: the more agreement there is within you for a given outcome, the greater the effectiveness of the practice and the higher the likelihood of success or accomplishment.
I hope I'm making sense. For instance, you might think you want to lose weight, and you might practice a given mantra/mudra/mandala (mental image/visualization) to help accomplish this. But if you don't want to cut back on your meal portions or change the content of your diet, and you don't want to work out, you're not giving your visualization anything to work with.
Or maybe you don't want to spend the money to buy new, smaller clothes. Something as simple as this creates resistance that slows, diminishes or perhaps even blocks you from accomplishing what you think or say or believe is a goal of yours. (This might be particularly relevant in our culture here in the U.S. where so many people still like to set New Year's resolutions.)
You might think you want something; to accomplish a particular goal. But do you? Think through things deeply and clearly. Have you considered all of the implications? Are you committed to making the requisite changes -- and dare I say, even sacrifices -- to have what it is you say or you think you really want?
The Kuji-In process helps you align all of the internal parts of your self regarding this; not necessarily on a conscious level; more on an energetic level. But the more light you can shed within your own mind, the more awareness you bring to an issue, the more clarity you will find. Then you can consciously eliminate some of the hindrances to the success you claim you are seeking.
In other words, you can consciously evolve.
I humbly suggest this be considered.
Devotedly yours,
-The Ninja Onmyoji
Friday, January 9, 2009
New Seminars and Study Materials!
Hey, everyone. Konnichiwa! (That's "good afternoon" in Japanese, for all gaijin in the house...)
Time for an update on my practice. This week, I'm wrapping up my initial exploration of the sixth aspect of the Kuji-In, "JIN," which is said to stimulate telepathic communication and the ability to know the thoughts of others.
Up next: "RETSU," which refers to the ability to influence or control time and space, as far the ninjutsu interpretation is concerned.
I have plans to eventually post photos of the various mudras (hand postures) to illustrate the precise "finger knitting" that is associated with each of the nine aspects, along with far more detailed info. Time is so often an issue these days. I trust the readers of The Kuji Blog will understand.
In the meantime, this week saw some outstanding developments come my way. First, I learned of two Kuji-In seminars scheduled in the near future. The venerable Francois Lepine has announced some initial plans for a seminar in the Allentown, PA, area, in the eastern part of the state, on Feb. 20-21. More information will be posted here once it becomes available.
I believe he also has one in El Paso, TX, Jan. 16-18. I'm not planning on attending that one, but if anyone else does go, we invite you to share some of your thoughts and experiences with us here.
Also, The Warrior's Edge martial arts school, in Naperville, IL, a northwest suburb of Chicago, plans a Kuji Mind Science Workshop on March 7-8 with Do-shu Thomas Jotoshi Maienza. The Warrior's Edge is affiliated with the Jizaikan form of ninjutsu. More information can be found at the dojo's Web site: http://www.thewarriorsedge.com/.
I'm consulting my schedule to see which seminar I will attend. I also have a key martial arts seminar to attend in early February; that may have an effect on which Kuji event I'll end up going to.
I also obtained on the very same day this week three hard-to-find documents that relate to Kuji-In and Kuji-Kiri. However, since I've been sworn to relative secrecy regarding them, in true ninja fashion, I won't be able to share more details. The good news is this material will help inform my practice going forward and in the preparation of my own training materials. And that will likely result in some improved content here.
Do stay tuned.
-The Ninja Onmyoji-
Time for an update on my practice. This week, I'm wrapping up my initial exploration of the sixth aspect of the Kuji-In, "JIN," which is said to stimulate telepathic communication and the ability to know the thoughts of others.
Up next: "RETSU," which refers to the ability to influence or control time and space, as far the ninjutsu interpretation is concerned.
I have plans to eventually post photos of the various mudras (hand postures) to illustrate the precise "finger knitting" that is associated with each of the nine aspects, along with far more detailed info. Time is so often an issue these days. I trust the readers of The Kuji Blog will understand.
In the meantime, this week saw some outstanding developments come my way. First, I learned of two Kuji-In seminars scheduled in the near future. The venerable Francois Lepine has announced some initial plans for a seminar in the Allentown, PA, area, in the eastern part of the state, on Feb. 20-21. More information will be posted here once it becomes available.
I believe he also has one in El Paso, TX, Jan. 16-18. I'm not planning on attending that one, but if anyone else does go, we invite you to share some of your thoughts and experiences with us here.
Also, The Warrior's Edge martial arts school, in Naperville, IL, a northwest suburb of Chicago, plans a Kuji Mind Science Workshop on March 7-8 with Do-shu Thomas Jotoshi Maienza. The Warrior's Edge is affiliated with the Jizaikan form of ninjutsu. More information can be found at the dojo's Web site: http://www.thewarriorsedge.com/.
I'm consulting my schedule to see which seminar I will attend. I also have a key martial arts seminar to attend in early February; that may have an effect on which Kuji event I'll end up going to.
I also obtained on the very same day this week three hard-to-find documents that relate to Kuji-In and Kuji-Kiri. However, since I've been sworn to relative secrecy regarding them, in true ninja fashion, I won't be able to share more details. The good news is this material will help inform my practice going forward and in the preparation of my own training materials. And that will likely result in some improved content here.
Do stay tuned.
-The Ninja Onmyoji-
Monday, January 5, 2009
A Kuji Links Section Has Been Added
Namaste to all!
I just added a small section to The Kuji Blog (in the column at the right, towards the middle of the column) that is devoted to other useful Web sites with at least some Kuji-related content.
More will be added as content warrants and as time (and karma!) permit.
In the meantime, keep going! Keep sitting! Keep practicing! Keep realizing!
-The Ninja Onmyoji
I just added a small section to The Kuji Blog (in the column at the right, towards the middle of the column) that is devoted to other useful Web sites with at least some Kuji-related content.
More will be added as content warrants and as time (and karma!) permit.
In the meantime, keep going! Keep sitting! Keep practicing! Keep realizing!
-The Ninja Onmyoji
Thursday, January 1, 2009
New Web Site Promoting Kuji-In
Hey, everybody, I recently discovered a new Web site has been put online to help promote the practice of the Kuji-In and Kuji-Kiri. It's called kujiinresources.com, and features material relating to Kuji and ninjutsu, estoeric Buddhism, Reiki and holistic healing.
It also features links for related media such as books, videos and audios, as well as some helfpul other Web resources online.
Check it out when you have a chance, and tell them the Ninja Onmyoji sent you.
HOH!
In the interests of full and fair disclosure, I must point out that, even though they have a brand new Web site, they've gone ahead and posted a link to this humble little blog. Cool. However, I was planning on announcing their site prior to finding out they had a link to The Kuji Blog, just the same.
Anyway, I recommend anyone with an interest in the Kuji-In technology check it out. It looks like it will be a good repository for a diverse collection of Kuji-related content.
As far as our own little blog here goes, I'll be posting some fresh content in the next few days, I hope. I'm about to begin preparing a comprehensive training manual, strictly for my own guidance, at this point, made up of all the content I can conceivably find on the Kuji practice. I expect to include a good bit of original content as I go along, so be sure to check back here regularly for some tidbits and hopefully some provocative or inspiring material to help you in your knowledge and practice.
Until then... keep going, keep sitting, and keep realizing all the wonderful truths there are that reside within you...
-The Ninja Onmyoji-
It also features links for related media such as books, videos and audios, as well as some helfpul other Web resources online.
Check it out when you have a chance, and tell them the Ninja Onmyoji sent you.
HOH!
In the interests of full and fair disclosure, I must point out that, even though they have a brand new Web site, they've gone ahead and posted a link to this humble little blog. Cool. However, I was planning on announcing their site prior to finding out they had a link to The Kuji Blog, just the same.
Anyway, I recommend anyone with an interest in the Kuji-In technology check it out. It looks like it will be a good repository for a diverse collection of Kuji-related content.
As far as our own little blog here goes, I'll be posting some fresh content in the next few days, I hope. I'm about to begin preparing a comprehensive training manual, strictly for my own guidance, at this point, made up of all the content I can conceivably find on the Kuji practice. I expect to include a good bit of original content as I go along, so be sure to check back here regularly for some tidbits and hopefully some provocative or inspiring material to help you in your knowledge and practice.
Until then... keep going, keep sitting, and keep realizing all the wonderful truths there are that reside within you...
-The Ninja Onmyoji-
Monday, December 15, 2008
Misc. Thoughts, Notes, Observations (begin.)
I've noticed that when I engage even a little of the Kuji-In practice right before bedtime, I awake the following morning with much greater mental clarity and focus immediately upon awakening, even if I subsequently hit the "snooze" button on my alarm. And that clarity and focus remain with me even if I repeatedly hit the "snooze" button for the next 20 minutes until I get up.
I find this a fascinating little development and wonder if other practitioners experience the same thing.
I don't engage the Kuji-In explicitly every night before I retire for the night (or at least have yet to do it consistently every night over an extended period of time), but when I do, here's what my practice consists of:
I find this a fascinating little development and wonder if other practitioners experience the same thing.
I don't engage the Kuji-In explicitly every night before I retire for the night (or at least have yet to do it consistently every night over an extended period of time), but when I do, here's what my practice consists of:
- I approach my Buddha altar and place my hands in gassho.
- I kneel, Japanese dojo style (dropping to my left knee first), before my Buddha altar, then assume the seiza kneeling posture with my feet flat out behind me, toes flat and pointing away; I place my hands in gassho and chant "Om mane padme hum" once to cultivate compassion for others as a way of reminding myself that others come before me, and that in true Bodhisattva fashion, alleviating the suffering of others is to come before my own efforts for complete enlightenment.
- I take in three deep breaths and feel the energy that flows throughout my being, and letting that awareness deepen a little bit more with each breath.
- I then take my hands and place them in the first mudra to support the "rin" aspect, then slowly chant the Japanese mantra, "On bai shi ra man ta ya sowaka," once. I like to draw this out -- in this instance, over the course of four exhalations -- and feel how the mantra makes my entire being vibrate, or at least see if I can extend the vibration throughout my entire being. I have found that if I let my rear upper teeth remain in contact with my rear lower teeth, the mantra can easily vibrate right up the back of my neck and into my lower rear skull area. I try to extend this vibration this way as much as I can -- especially if I work each of the nine aspects three times, thereby chanting each mantra three times in succession. My hope is that this will work the spirit of the mantra most literally into my brain. I expect that once I switch to the original Sanskrit, that this effect will be significantly more pronounced.
- I repeat this process through the remaining aspects of the Kuji-In, at least as far as I have gone through them to date. I'm currently working with the sixth, or "jin," aspect.
- I finish my mini evening Kuji-In practice by putting my hands back into gassho and chanting "Om mane padme hum" once -- again to remind myself that eliminating the suffering of others takes priority; that my practice is to begin and end with the elimination of the suffering of others; that my practice is to be devoted towards the elimination of the suffering of others.
- Then I stand up in strict Japanese dojo style (with my right knee rising first), place my hands in gassho again, and "bow out" before before my altar.
I would be interested in hearing the perspective of others on this, so I invite readers to opine by submitting a comment.
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