Preserving Life Through The Study Of The Martial Way (Budo Taijutsu Training Manual Book 1)

Many books of knowledge train us to understand our position in the universe. In order to live by a code of morality these books provide us with rules and regulations restricting our bodily activities. We must learn to control our body so we can perfect our lives. Moreover, although these principles vary by country and time, the underlying regulations are the same. The duality that arises is that we live through our senses. We feel heat and cold, pleasure and pain because we identify with our bodies. All of us turn to material subjects for enjoyment and knowledge, but the eternal spiritual knowledge of which we really seek cannot be acquired through the body. The body in which we live is a result of the interaction of the modes of material nature, which is doomed to destruction from the moment it was made. We must learn to protect our body until we can transcend its conception of existence and attain our true nature.

This awareness of the true nature of our being is what enables the warrior to take the life of his opponent without any hesitation. Only by understanding the spiritual teachings can we hope to become true warriors and accept our own mortality in the face of death, unafraid, unflinching, or unwavering in our faith.

This book is not intended to be the final word on any of the topics included; it is merely an introduction of the concepts to encourage further study in any areas that interests the reader. There are vast numbers of books and other resources available in all areas of study of the martial way, which delve deeper on these specialties and subjects. The purpose of this book is to introduce the underlying areas usually reserved for the advanced initiate of Budo, rather than focus solely on the physical aspects. Many quotes from my personal teachers, as well as other research, books and authors have inspired me. I hope that I have not plagiarized their words but have interpreted them for the reader. I have compiled as complete a reference to these authors as I could for the reader to experience the depth of philosophy these masters have provided. This training manual is based on my own quest and discovery of this knowledge in hopes that the reader will find a commonality that will serve to encourage. I hope that this book will inspire you to enter or continue down the Warriors Path, to help preserve the Martial Way.