Rokkon Shoujou (禄 魂 笑净)

Dear Buyu,

The new year has already arrived and we are now facing again a very interesting training year.

As you may have heard, Soke has indicated as this years theme Rokkon Shoujou (禄 魂 笑净) and Tachi.

Personally, I've made my own thoughts on this subject and what we have to expect in our training this year, so, I would like to share my thoughts with you.

Since we don't know yet what exactly the "Taijutsu or technical theme" of this year will be, (although I believe that we don't need a "Ryu theme" at all, as we have a lot to do with the Bujinkan Basics, don't we?!), we are addressed to take more practice with sword (Tachi) and to summarize on that what we have practiced in the recent years.

As for the philosophical aspect:
With my understanding on the philosophical issue of this year is that we have to explore the understanding of our intrinsic values to cultivate all our senses.

When we refer to Rokkon (禄 魂) we should understand that happiness is a treasure with many layers. Happiness will help us to stay balanced in life, to act naturally, to be unprejudiced thus to be calm and relaxed. When or mind is happy, our soul and our whole being will follow without hesitation. Thus will allow us to be open and narural !

Naturalness is an another point in human existence which is necessary to be free! No thoughts, no problems, no any violence comes in mind when we are happy...

This will crossfade us to Shoujou (笑净). Happiness will bring pleasure and thus laugh and cheerfulness. In this absolute state, we should understand that this is the only easy state of the mind and soul, which will allow us to reconsider our whole being... By reconsidering anything in our life we can change it i.e. in this case we can change or purify ourselves and our senses.

With other words a CLEAR and CALM MIND transforms to a PURE and PEACEFUL HEART.

Within the harmony of Rokkon (禄 魂) & Shoujou (笑净) lies the essenz to the higher understanding of human nature i.e. to understand our natural being.

More thoughts and insights on this will follow...

Be happy & balanced! Gambatte!!


Kostas Kanakis
Bujinkan Shihan - Judan Kuugyo