By Dr. Michael J. Dunphy (Mjdunphy) (24.93.185.74) on Tuesday, September 26, 2000 - 09:51 pm:

I am grateful to Viol Sensei for the opportunity to present this forum for the exchange of ideas among martial artist. I am a 30-year veteran of the martial arts with extensive experience in Karate, Jujutsu and Kobudo. I have had the opportunity to study in the Kwanmukan system with George Anderson Sensei, classical sogobujutsu of the Seishinkan with John Viol Sensei and at the same time, provided support and technical expertise to the formation and operations of the USA Karate Federation and the US Ju-Jitsu Federation. I own and operate a dojo in Canton, Ohio and I was Professor of Biochemistry and Chairman of the Division of Mathematics and Natural Sciences at Walsh University from 1981 to 2000. I recently resigned my full-time faculty position at the university to devote my full energies to my martial arts teaching, training and research and to expand my speaking and seminar business, Cutting Edge Resources Group. I will be posting ideas, questions and comments to this area regularly, and I would others to do the same. I hope we can create an interesting and mutually beneficial forum for discussion and debate. I can also be reached at my email: dunphy@raex.com, or my websites: www.mjdkarate.com and/or www.cuttingedge-rg.com
See you on the battlefield.

By Dr. Michael J. Dunphy (Mjdunphy) (24.93.185.74) on Tuesday, September 26, 2000 - 09:53 pm:

One of the essential elements of any successful warrior in real battle is to possess the ability to objectify the opponent so that doubt and conscience do not create hesitation at the moment of truth. However, a true warrior is not simply a primordial killing machine, devoid of compassion and detached from the world, though this may be a philosphical model of a warrior. We are all human beings first, and we may adopt the intent and skills of a warrior. Many psuedo-warriors can adopt the skills through rigorous training, but without the intent, you simply have a person with specialized skills, not unlike a highly skilled engineer who won't take the risk to bring his creations to life. However, warrior intent, especially in modern day American culture we call home, balanced with reasoned compassion seems to be the key to the successful application of warrior training to everyday life. Most of us will not be engaged in the life and death engagements experienced by feudal Samurai, but we will be struggling on a different battlefield in which our identity, our security and our values are tested in more subtle ways, though occassionally violent physical confrontation is encountered. To me, the in-yo relationship of warrior intent with compassion should be a constant source of study for all of us as we hone our fighting skills, deal with our fears and seek ways to find peace in our own path. Your thoughts? See you on the Battlefield. MJD

By An Old Ranger 1st BN. (64.12.105.153) on Thursday, September 06, 2001 - 12:52 am:

A Warrior is born, A Warrior can be made. Follow the path of the traditional. This is where it has value. Not in any of the New Age touchy feely inward looking stuff. You are either a Warrior or Non-Warrior. There is no shame in either. I have been a Warrior for close to forty years, I have killed and was almost killed many times. ALWAYS REMEMBER THIS "Life is struggle, conflict, nothing more. All other forms of Higher thought come from the Minds of Men, nothing more nothing less." So be a Warrior if you have the stomach for it, if you really want it. I have and have never regretted a moment of it. Just be sure you can Walk the Path, it is not for the weak of heart!

By Tracy Crocker on Monday, October 28, 2002 - 07:41 pm:

Hello everyone! My name is Tracy Crocker. I have been studying traditional Bujutsu most of my life. I recently resigned from the Bujinkan Organization (Jujutsu/Ninjutsu)with the rank of Godan (5th Degree) after 18 years. I am now going to Japan on a regular basis training in other Koryu. It will be very interesting to see more people on these type of sites who possess good hearts and truly strive to preserve the essense of Budo.

By Glenn Marquay on Thursday, January 02, 2003 - 12:50 pm:

For Tracy Crocker,

Hey man. contact me. You have my number.