Ninja & the Five Elements

Emptiness, Wind, Fire, Water, and Earth

The original teachings of Ninjutsu were developed through an experiential knowledge of combat methods, human psychology and cultural patterns, and the workings of natural phenomena and a personal closeness with nature. From these broad considerations, the feudal Japanese science of survival under any circumstances eventually took its shape. The art came to be known as a countercultural opposite to the conventional concepts of warfare and territorial expansion that were routine during the feudal ages in ancient Japan. Sun Tzu's The Art of War was the basis of Ninjutsu philosophy in many ways.

One important purpose in the study of Ninjutsu is to cultivate an awareness of ki-ai, or allowing yourself to come into harmony with the "scheme of totality." The student of Ninjutsu should become a totally natural being. There is nothing bizarre, unreal, or imaginary implied in the mystical teachings of Ninjutsu. Mysticism is simply the study of methods used to directly experience natural laws and universal consciousness. By observing nature with an unbiased mind, people come to understand their world and how they relate to it; thus they come to understand themselves.

The Tibetan Tantric lore teaches the doctrine of mikkyo, or "secret knowledge." The concept is that all physical aspects of existence originate from the same source and are in essence one of five elements. The five elements are:

Ku: The emptiness or nothingness from which all things assume their forms

Fu: The Wind (or gaseous elements)

Ka: The Fire (or energy releasing)

Sui: The Water (or fluids)

Chi: The Earth (or solids)

By studying the relationships of these elements in nature, the Ninja learns how to become a more natural and balanced being, more conscious of personal power and responsibilities in the stream of life. To the Ninja, these elements also represent human life.

In the human body, sui represents the body fluids and those aspects of the body that provide suppleness and flexibility. Chi equals the bones, teeth, muscles, and other solid body tissues. Ka is seen as metabolism and is experienced as body warmth. Fu corresponds to the breathing cycle--the movement of air into and out of the body and then out and into the breathing cycles of others. Ku manifests itself as speech and the ability to communicate.

The five elements around us are also paralleled in the stages of elevation of the personality. We all move up and down from one element of influence to another. Westerners refer to the effects of our changing consciousness as "moods."

Chi, the earth level, is the most base of the elements. While in a state of chi we are conscious of our own solidity and stability. We resist change or movement--like a rock. Chi is centered at the base of the spine and is associated with the color red.

Sui, or water is the next highest level of our physical personality. Under its influence we are conscious of our own emotions and the fluid parts of the body. Sui is characterized by reactions to physical changes and adaptability to our surroundings. Like plants we are capable of independent movement and growth. We react to stimuli, and yet we are incapable of controlling our environment. When our personalities are under the influence of the water element, we react to what we encounter, and we are oriented toward the heavier emotions. Sui is centered in the lower abdomen and is associated with the color orange.

Ka, fire is the third highest element. When under its influence we are aggressive. (Aggression in this sense refers to energy, and is not intended to carry negative or violent connotations.) We experience feelings of warmth, enjoyment, and direct control over our environment, as wild animals do. We are aware of our reasoning faculties. Ka is centered at the lower tip of the breast bone and is associated with the color yellow.

Fu, wind is the fourth level. Under its influence we are aware of our own intellect, magnanimity, and feelings of wisdom and love. Human beings are the highest example of the wind principle; we are capable of contemplation, understanding, and love. Fu is centered in the middle of the chest and is associated with the color green.

Ku is the highest of the physical elements. In the personality, the ku emptiness brings about creative abilities, and the capability to direct any of the four lower elements. Ku, the source of all elements, is centered in the throat, and is associated with the color blue.

I should stress that no one element of influence is inherently better or worse than another. In fact, one of the greater reasons for studying the effects of the influence centers is to realize the impossibility of assigning arbitrary value judgments to our emotions and experiences. Every emotion in the wide range of moods available to the human being can be seen as more or less appropriate in some given situations. This is in contrast to the stress-causing Western notion that there are appropriate and inappropriate norms governing emotions and reactions.

There are, however, those times when a particular emotion may be regarded as negative or positive based on its effectiveness in a particular situation. Appropriateness in the situation is not only determined by one's mood (element of influence), but also by the behavior used to express the mood.

In Ninjutsu, fighting is utilizing the five elements in harmoniously dealing with danger. To reach this level of ku requires much training and discipline.

Here and Now

The immensely popular Alcoholics Anonymous (AA), Narcotics Anonymous (NA), and twelve step groups, believe that one reason people become hopelessly obsessive-compulsive is that they worry too much about the future. They "project," or place unwarranted expectations on the days ahead. In doing so, they live in constant fear, rendering them unable to deal with the here and now. In AA, recovering alcoholics practice living "one day at a time." Recovering addicts in NA live "just for today."

This same idea is found in famous Western literature as far back as the 16th Century. Shakespeare's and others' works resonate with the idea of "Carpé Diem," or seize the day. Live in the Now. Life cannot be enjoyed to the fullest if you project into the future or dwell on the past.

To master martial arts physical techniques, one must learn to clear his or her mind of clutter and unnecessary noise. Total concentration on the task at hand is required. This approach is the most conducive to tranquility, harmony and a lack of stress caused by our Western rush-to-get-ahead lifestyles.

Martial arts is a way to achieve harmony through introspection and discipline. The physical and psychological benefits are immeasurable. We'll explore them in the next chapter.

See the Philosophy of ninja .. Here

The Book of five rings .. Here

The icon of yin yang

Think of our bodies as a material that our spirits use to explore earthly sensations. Our spirits in fact do not need a body but use one when they desire or feel the need to touch, see, hear, or be alone.
Think of our spirits as being liken to mist. Solid and in Flux, Opaque yet Translucent. Dry and then again Moist.
Now with this in mind picture a field on a spring morning, the sun just about to rise. See the swirling mist's that run this way and that in the light breeze. Think of the whole world as being like this field.
Cup your hand into the mist and pull out a small ball of it and release it into a part of the air that is clear. Now you have a single part of the mist that once was part of the whole.

Our spirits when not in an earthly body are like the mist that surrounds the world but when we enter flesh we are like the single ball of mist, alone, independent and yet still part of the whole. In this we all come from one place and all return there when our bodies expire.
When we return to the whole we become one with each other (although retaining our identity) and experiences and knowledge are shared.
Because we are all as one we all have the ability to communicate through our spirits with each other. Some are better than others while the majority that are within bodies do not believe and therefor can not achieve this.

Examples of this could be :-
Mediums who contact the dead are really contacting the whole.
Ghosts may be spirits who refuse rejoin the whole and are therefor trapped in the appearance of their last body.
Psychics can contact the whole or other "living" embodiments of spirits.
Palmists and Fortune Tellers who are seeing the lives of the spirit not the body.

An author once wrote that Gods only exist when people need them. In the ever-changing world the needs of the living change too. Perhaps it can be said that when a large amount of people cry out to or pray to or worship a certain thing then that thing becomes real to them. Surly all those spirits concentrating together can accomplish miracles ?
In different countries alternate religions and Gods appear but when studied from many angles they all appear as one. Take for example the fact that in all major religions (not just modern but ancient) in the world there has been a great flood.
Are we indeed masters of our own destiny?

Chihayaburu kami no oshie wa tokoshie, tadashiki kokoro, mi wo mamorunan.

The teaching of the mightiest gods shall eternally protect those who are right in heart and body.

SHINKIN
HARAMITSU
DAIKOMYO

The sound of the words
in our reach for enlightenment
creates the divine cosmic light.

there is the potential for gaining
our enlightenment,
the possibility of finding that one
missing piece of the puzzle
that brings about illumination.
It is our own mind that determines
the experience to be positive
or negative."

THE ETERNAL CYCLE

The generation cycle SHENG        ...      The control cycle KO

The Path to a Better Mind and Body

In the '50s there was a saying that went something like this: "A strong body is the key to a strong mind." Martial arts proves this idiom beyond all doubt. More than self-defense, more than a means to destroy one's opponent, martial arts is a means to finding one's inner-self enlightenment through conditioning, discipline and meditation. It's the way to a better mind and body.

In this chapter we look at the physical and mental health benefits of martial arts. While most martial arts fit, at least in part, the following comments, I use Ninjutsu as the primary example.

Beyond the five physical influences discussed in the last chapter lies the second major realm of personal power---the mind and mental processes. This sixth center of consciousness is in the middle of the cranial cavity, the area of the brow between and slightly above the eyes, the place where your thoughts seem to originate.

In the teachings of Ninjutsu, the mind is seen as a bridge between pure consciousness and the body in which that consciousness temporarily resides. The mind is an interpreting device, organizing or translating all that we experience into data understood by our physical selves.

The Ninja uses his or her mind to observe and subsequently to affect the surroundings. Beginning with simple exercises that teach the effectiveness of this method, the Ninja is encouraged to develop the power of the mind to clarify intentions and work his or her will without action.

Students of Ninjutsu are taught to become acutely aware of the ease with which the senses become dulled with the passage of time. Stripping away the obstacles and honing the senses is a crucial beginning to the task of learning to perceive and interact with outside forces in a pure and direct manner. This level of awareness is like that of the animals, whose consciousness is different from man's. The animal is strongly fixed in the present moment, almost unaware of a past or future---at least in the way a human being is. The animal awareness is not hindered by memories or projections of potential outcomes. It concentrates fully on each existing instant as it occurs.

While the animal does not have the advantage of lessons from the past or direction for the future, it is able to pick up a whole range of subtle impressions from the environment that are mostly drowned out or ignored by human emotions.

The critical first step toward self-discipline and personal power is to become aware of your body and how it is affected by its surroundings. Key in the study of Ninjutsu is the development of total naturalness. Hence, martial arts training begins with basic physical movements. From there it moves on to specialized combat skills. In relearning the naturalness of our fundamental physical nature, you are forced to recognize the effects of cluttering yourself up with unnecessary, unnatural actions from the past or projections of the future. Once you realize the physical impact of unnatural conditioning or physical movement, you can then look inward at our thought processes and emotions to see how you have distorted your inner-self.

The developmental awareness exercises of Ninjutsu training are conducive to the overall attitude of complete growth and realization. As a comprehensive lifestyle, the Ninjutsu regards the body and its sensual capabilities as tools for the accomplishment of life's purposes. They are to be revered, cultivated and finely honed. Ninjutsu training encourages natural balances. It discards brutal systems of belief that demand suffering, repression, self-chastising, or the denial of joy in life in the name of salvation.

These beliefs, of course, are almost completely foreign to Westerners. Many of us are trained to feel unworthy if we make mistakes. Some Christian teachings would have us repent or flog ourselves mentally for wanting to be happy or for finding too much joy in life. This is simply not good for the soul. Martial arts would have us feel strong and secure in who we are; we are well aware of our place in the scheme of nature and we rejoice in it.

The Rigors of Physical Training
Like any other rigorous activity, martial arts training conditions the body. In fact, many of today's aerobic classes and martial arts exercises have much in common. They improve muscle tone and cardiovascular conditioning. While both forms of exercise build the body and coordination, martial arts is much more focused on mental concentration rather than physical exertion. The controlled, fluid movements in martial arts are a kind of biofeedback that brings you in tune with your body and surroundings. The focus is on harmony, rather than stripping away fat cells and burning calories. Of course, it will also accomplish the latter.

When most of us think of jogging or attending our semi-weekly gym sessions, we feel drudgery and dread. It's work and not much fun. Even though we do feel good after a session, the endorphin-induced euphoria doesn't last very long. Martial arts, on the other hand, conditions the mind and spirit. We strive for emotional atonement and maturity through our physical exercise. The benefits are much more noticeable, lasting and tangible.

This is not to say that there are no psychological benefits to traditional Western forms of exercise and sport. Any time you take care of your body, the mind follows. However, Western physical fitness relies heavily on ego gratification, rather than finding harmony with one's inner-self and the universe. In this way, the physical actions are somehow divorced from the mental and spiritual aspects of the movement. Instead of the fluid, graceful movements involved in martial arts, our physical training involves an entirely different kind of force, as best exemplified by two of our more popular sports, football and hockey. Martial arts, on the other hand, are more akin to the fluidity of ballet---a calm peaceful harmony of motion. A quietness in the soul. Tranquility. Not necessarily a lack of emotion, but more a quieting of turmoil. Peace and security in who we are.

Some view this idea of non-action as sloth or a lack of ambition. But it takes a lot of work to be still and much discipline to achieve inner peace. As in all forms of physical training, discipline begets discipline and energy creates energy. The more you do the better you get and the better you feel. It is important to remember that in martial arts "better" is measured against your own standards, not the standards of some test or societal expectations.

Meditation
Another practice of Zen Buddhism, Taoism and martial arts that has become popular in the West is meditation. Meditation extends the search for inner-peace and harmony. For the Ninja, understanding the mind and its workings is crucial to development of competence in martial arts. The brain is a valuable self-defense tool that is often overlooked in many other training systems. Physical conditioning and technique repetition can take the practitioner only so far, and the advanced Ninja must go on to develop the qualities of awareness and detachment.

Detachment is an ability to draw back emotionally from an activity and observe the total picture. Instead of concentrating on what you are going to do, you simply observe from a defensive pose and react appropriately. Instead of concentrating on beating your adversary, you allow him to make self-defeating mistakes.

An important aspect of effective martial arts training is total involvement in the activity at all times. The moment your attention wavers from the task at hand, you are no longer in the now. Successful activity and meaningful living depends on complete involvement in what you are doing. When the mind wanders, conjuring up worries and regrets, the effectiveness of the body's activities (or non-activities) decreases. Your discipline and personal power are lost.

Beyond fundamental physical training is control of the mind's activity, which is more difficult than one might think. The Zen meditation is much misunderstood in the West. Many believe meditation to be a means of withdrawing from reality, or entering a dream world. The meditative state is actually a state of increased awareness, not sluggish drowsiness. Meditation can be used as a means to total effectiveness in physical endeavors, as well as a means to inner-peace.

It is yet another tool for increasing your awareness of yourself, your surroundings and your interaction with your surroundings.

Beyond the Physical
As you become more proficient at meditation and personal power, you can actually gain control over certain aspects of your metabolism. Once you reach total ki with your physical being, you can learn, for example, to control your heart rate or body temperature, which can be immensely beneficial in maintaining overall health.

These are, of course, advanced techniques and require training under the guidance of a master.

The Ultimate Wisdom - Mind Over Matter

As we've seen, martial arts entails complete control over the mind and body. Throughout this page I have
touched on the mental and spiritual aspects of Ninjutsu. As mentioned, another important part of the discipline is meditation.

Meditation is rest for the mind. While it encompasses many things, basically it is the practice of breathing in a calm and controlled manner. The purpose is to calm the mind by controlling, or removing oneself, from emotion and ego. The ultimate goal is to focus on Tae Kwon Do, which is to unify the mind and body on a higher plane.

One way to think of the higher plane is as enlightenment, or basing one's life on universal understanding. Finding the higher plane brings patience, tolerance toward other's faults, and a lack of judging others Think of the mind as a lake on a still day. It's glassy and serene. On a windy day the lake is a churn and rough. Think of the pursuit of material things, ego or emotional turmoil as the wind that disturbs the peacefulness of the lake. The slightest wind shatters the glassy serenity. In life, the slightest mental agitation can destroy the calm. Meditation is learning to keep the lake calm during windy times.

If your mind is trained in Tae Kwon Do, it is sturdy and will not betray you. The untrained mind works solely to achieve the goals of ego and the need of the body. Meditation is looking inward. If you do not look inward, you cannot see outward. If you do not learn to control your own mind and spirit you will not do well in martial arts because you will have little or no control over your own actions.

Meditation is one more stone in the path to a better mind and body, personal power, self-perseverance and self-preservation.

The Philosophy of Ninjutsu

That which shrinks
Must first expand.
That which fails
Must first be strong.
That which is cast down
Must first be raised.
Before receiving
There must be giving.

Not exalting the gifted prevents quarreling.
Not Collecting treasures prevents stealing.
Not seeing desirable things prevents confusion of the heart.

"It's better to live one day as a lion than 100 days as a sheep"
-Old Italian Saying-
"A thousand mile journey starts with one step"
-Old Chinese Saying-
"One man could never step into a same river twice"
-Old Thai Saying-
 

Bruce Lee's interview Here

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