Iaido, an art of mind (by Jacques MARTIANO)

Today, many sports are taught to a group, as if it were possible to transmit essential issues to the multiple components that make up a group, considered in a way as if it were a unique individual. In this way we favour moderate and purely technical attainment for all, to these sports from which the very aspects that made it interesting have been removed. This type of practice is also justified by its sought-after financial return. The student who receives this education merely receives a watered down part of it. The consequence of this type of practice is a high turn-over of students experienced by teachers who adopt this type of teaching. This is generally of no consequence since the student himself is after appearances, and spends much of his time shopping in multi-sport supermarkets available to the general public as long as you have the adequate funds.

Genuine transmission cannot be done like this. Only corrections given individually and adapted to each person can produce the expected results. Each individual is different, and the route to reach the summit must be chosen carefully at each stage of his progression. In this way, when the decision has been made to travel the road together, nobody is abandoned on the side.

The only thing expected of him in return and laid down in the «moral membership contract» is the commitment to progressing technically, morally and culturally, so that when the time is right, he may one day and under the same conditions transmit the education that he has received.

As is said in Japan, "When a Sensei has found his Deshi, he should thank the gods each day of his life".

Whilst the movements can be identical over and over again, situations are not, since the technique is only a support. Budo is not what we see but what we are when we have practiced daily and rigorously for many long years.

The objective is to apply the same the same discipline exercised in this form of practice, to his everyday life and in his relationship with everyone with whom he comes into contact.
In our present society, in which values have not only changed but have very often disappeared,  it is not easy to adopt such a way of being.
There again it is difficult to change oneself, but if achieved is extremely self-satisfying. The example we can give is contagious and after several years, we all notice a change in the behaviour of those around us.

What joy to live in harmony with these principles and values…