Michael Bruce
Distance Learning Student
Mountain View, CA

Pat Bailey
North Platte, NE
Inner power Martial arts

Hello,

I believe that the Sakki test used in the Bujinkan Dojo under Soke Masaaki
Hatsumi is the first step to being able to recognize the feeling of danger.
Being able to live with the ability of this "sixth" sense is the true
lesson.

Luis Acosta
Yondan
Bujinkan Budo Taijutsu
Margate, Florida

On 4/24/08, Michael Bruce <michaeldbr...@gmail.com> wrote:

Luis Acosta
Yondan
Dojo Cho
Bujinkan Martial Arts
(954) 971-0248
www.bujinkanmartialarts.wordpress.com
www.myspace.com/bujinkanmartialarts

Good luck in your training!

Jeremiah Munoz
Shodan
Lemoore Bujinkan Dojo
Visalia, CA

Hi Michael
The previous replies have excellent information.
Some of the "sixth sense" may evolve from many many hours of realistic tai-jutsu training. Especially, and this may be difficult for you as a long distance student, with a variety of training partners. Take advantage of every opportunity you can to train with groups and at seminars.
It may also pay to remember a story which I think is attributed to the golfer Gary Player. Someone commented to him that he was a "lucky" golfer. Player replied that the funny thing was, the more he practiced the luckier he got.

Keep going, the magic is out there and in you.

Mike Bruce
LDS/ Tenchijin Dojo
Edinburgh
Scotland

Michael Bruce
Distance Learning Student
Mountain View, CA

I got back last Friday from a fantastic trip to South Africa to train with
Denis Dorward and Rick Bothma and their students.

Denis and Rick are running a Quest Affiliate Group in the area northeast of
Jo'Burg and have a wonderful group of students training with them.

The country is beautiful and the hospitality was absolutely incredible.

I was very impressed with the quality of the students and how hard they
worked to soak up everything that was being shown during the seminar, group
classes, and private lessons.

I know that both Denis and Rick are hoping to make an annual event out of
this first visit and will work with anyone in the To Shin Do family to make
all visiting students welcome.

If you are interested, please feel free to contact either of them or contact
me directly.

I am so pleased to send out a big public thank you to all the wonderful
people in South Africa who helped to make my first visit truly unforgetable!

All the Best,

Brett Varnum, Hombu Shihan
Owner, Presque Isle Quest Center
207-764-0864

You're time would be very well spent going over the meditation exercises
in Anshu Hayes' first book in the Ohara series.   These are the BEST
books available in the English language for learning the martial arts
and sciences that Stephen Hayes has received from his teachers.  As
others have reminded me in the past, there is enough there for you and
all of us to work on for many years to come.  The exercises are not just
for 'beginners', and the few I know who have really taken those
exercises to heart have a great deal to show for it.

Also, are you aware of the new forum?  Go to http://www.skhquest.com for
details.  There you can ask questions and get very detailed replies, as
well as enjoy some training materials and videos that are only available
to forum members.  Hope to see you there!

Happy Training,

Kent Wood
BMAC
Boston, MA

I know there have been a lot of good recommendations here. I'm a
L.D.S. as well.

Anshu Hayes covers the first basics of it in "Ninja Vol. 1: Spirit of
the Shadow Warrior" starting on page 105 (chapter 6).  I recommend
starting with page 93 (chapter 5) which covers active meditaiton that
will help prepare your mind first.

As for the sa ki (a.k.a. godan, 5th degree test), I would recommend
going to the Tampa Quest Center's website (http://
www.tampaquestma.com ) and select "articles" from the left column.
Then select "5th Degree Test".

Remember To-Shin Do covers physical, intellectual, and spiritual
training, learning, and experiences.  I would also recommend the
workbook "Enlightened Self-Protection" as well.

Daniel Grant Baker
Long Distance Student
Mansfield, OH

It was an absolute honour to have you as a friend and teacher over here in
South Africa. We will definitely host the annual event of the Umoya Wendoda
Seminar (Spirit of the Warrior), and invite all our family friends in To
Shin Do to come and join us for the great event. See you all at festival
2008

Rick Bothma
Co owner of Budo-Quest South Africa