Jizaikan

The Jizai Life

How can we as warriors have successful lives? We are all part of the Jizai organization, and Jizai means continual pursuit of perfection. How can we begin to apply these same principles to our lives? Let’s take a look at the Aiki Kihon Happo and the principles that it represents.

Ikkyo is the frst of the Aiki Kihon Happo and the principle that it teaches us is to “Enter In”. Entering in means that we need to go forward with our lives, understanding that the past is exactly that, the past and there is nothing that we can do to change it. So many people allow past experiences to control them, they were hurt at some point and rather than facing the pain and the problem they try to bury it, with forms of avoidance. Most people know or soon learn that
emotions related to the challenge will resurface at a later time and perhaps, be even more diffcult to deal with.

People can also have something great happen in their lives and they pretty much do the same thing, continually re-living the experience never seeing what their life has become.

The present is the only place where we can truly live our lives, so check in and get on with living. Every moment in life is new and glorious, be present and experience all of the creator’s beautiful nature as it unfolds.  Trust your true nature to know what comes next. It is that truth that will make you free.

Nikyo, the second principal of the Aiki Kihon Happo teaches us to “set things up”. A simple way to put this is to have a plan.  Being present is really the only way to live and experience what this world has to offer.  Even with this knowledge the warrior must take time to plan for the future.

Success means different things to different people. The only way for one to be successful is to write out a personal defnition of success. Once we know what success looks like it is easier to write a step by step plan on how to get there. A good process to master is fnding others who have had a similar defnition of success. The key is this individual must already be successful in this area by your standards. Create a study of the steps that they took to get where they are now, this is likely to help you with your planning.

Sankyo is the third in this set; it teaches us the principle of “moving around the problem”. One of the things that we have learned from great military minds is that they plan for the future. They are also shrewd in their application of skills useful in addressing a variety of concealed problems. Take the time to fnd any potential pitfalls and make alternate plans that will enable you to successfully navigate around the problem and still attain your goal.

Yonkyo the fourth lesson in this set of teachings shows us the power of indifference. It might seem a little strange for us to need this quality. I agree, but let me explain. Indifference is active detachment. This is often mistaken as being, uncaring, however it is caring enough to let go and trust. To be a successful person, it takes a lot of hard work and smart planning. The problem with this is that when we put all levels of effort into our plans we end up becoming attached not only to our plan but also the outcome. Even though we have another way to achieve our goal we may unwittingly hesitate, thinking about all we lost at the last crossroads. The power of indifference allows us to keep moving forward.  By waiting too long, we might miss the opportunity that always presents itself. GO! You planned and prepared for what comes your way.

Gokkyo The ffth lesson teaches us to “strike during the technique”. We must understand that nothing is done in isolation. What I mean by that is when one thing happens it causes a chain reaction. A stone thrown into a lake causes a ripple affect that reaches to the far shore, even though the waves might become so small that it is undetectable to the human eye. Why is this important? This tells us that we must be aware of the things that are going on around us and even things that happen far away and seem inconsequential. It also tells us that we affect events as well.  Never forget you
have this ability.

Rokkyo This Sixth lesson teaches us to “lead”. Simply put this means to take responsibility. All true leaders understand that they control their own environment and anything that happens within that environment is what they put there. A person that has friends who are always getting into trouble not only allows those people to be in their life but has attracted them. Have you ever noticed that most people that are abused in relationships might get out of that relationship but soon fnd themselves in another abusive relationship? Once someone comes to grips with the knowledge
that they are the only one that controls their life then that person becomes truly powerful.

Nanakyo The seventh lesson that we can apply to our goal of becoming successful teaches us to be “skin-tight”. This means that we need to be in touch with our plan for becoming successful. Every morning take 5-10 minutes to review you goals, this will help you to be focused on the things that are important. We also want to review your goals right before bed this allows your subconscious mind to get into the action. You will wake with great ideas and fnd that circumstances start to lend themselves to helping you accomplish your goals.

Hachikyo the eighth and fnal principle from this series teaches us to “become the center”. Becoming the center says that we are in control but because of that we need to make sound decisions about not only the things that we do, but also the things that we think, and say. If I allow myself to think about negative things, then those negative thoughts directly affect what I bring into my life.

By thinking on negative things I bring those very things to me. So many people think I hate being fat so I am going to lose weight. The problem is that the subconscious mind does not understand negative.The only thing it knows is that you are using a lot of mental energy thinking about fat so it is going help and bring that into your life. Always think positive and this will help to keep the positive fow in your life. By the way cursing is negative thoughts taking fight through your mouth. Our training halls are supposed to be positive uplifting places, and that is why bad language is not allowed.

Ninpo Ikkan,
Michael Francis
Kage Dojo, Columbus, OH

Originally published Sept2007 Jizaikan newsletter