New Year's Message
January 1, 2015
Dear Friends:
Happy New Year!
2015 is the year
of the Ram (also the year of the Sheep or Goat) according to
the Oriental calendar. It is also my birth year; and I turn
(gulp) 60 next October, so I'm looking forward to a very auspicious
year. Hope you are, too!
How was your 2014? Good I hope – mine was particularly awesome!
I really got the opportunity to apply some of the practical
lessons of Ninpo in the real world this past year.
It also struck me this past year that people are drawn to the
martial arts in general – and the Bujinkan in particular – for
many reasons. As you may know, I was a Marine looking to improve
my stealth and close combat skills. I have received so much
more than I even knew to look for and am very grateful.
One thing we should all realize is that the Bujinkan may manifest
itself in the lives of all of us in profoundly different ways.
And it sure does, doesn't it? And it is marvelous! I often remind
myself not to judge the value of what people do with the training
by my own expectations and standards.
As usual, I did a "bit" of traveling in 2014.
Our group enjoyed a
BuyῡKai in San Francisco in honor of Mark
Hodel.
BuyῡKai West
Jim, Dale, Ken, Miki, Jack,
Jeff, Dave and Mark Hodel (in spirit!)
By the way, Andrew Hodel, Mark's son, was married in 2014 to
the lovely Donna Kwok. Some of us were at the wedding in Chinatown,
New York City. What a party!
Congratulations Andrew and
Donna!
We enjoyed another Buyῡ Camp East in New Jersey.
BYCE 2014
Lot's more Buyῡ Camp East pictures
HERE!!
We also had training seminars in NJ, California,
Florida, Chicago and Grand Rapids. International trips included
Germany (twice!), Switzerland and Colombia.
Jack and David in Bogotá, Colombia
Murray, Jack and Phil in Switzerland
after training
Steffen, Jack and Pino in Germany
I also was able to visit Japan to train with my teacher, Soke
Masaaki Hatsumi, and many Buyῡ martial arts friends from
around the world. As is the tradition, I led the group in "Happy
Birthday," and a toast to his health and longevity.
Happy Birthday, Sensei!
You Are My Sunshine! (Photo
by Sheila Haddad)
Love the hair! (Photo by Sheila
Haddad)
The weather was very clear several days and we got a number
of goods views of Mount Fuji.
The view from the top of Mount
Takao
Craig, Jack, John, Alex and
Miki - Top of Mount Takao, Fuji-san in the background
The boys at Asasuka
An early Holiday toast - Christmas
always starts in Japan for me!
And there are many more pictures on our Buyῡ Facebook
page here.
Check
here for upcoming seminars in 2015.
I did some more writing in 2014. Here is an article Bruce Gourlie
and I wrote for
PoliceOne.com
regarding the "sanshin" of ethics, tactics
and technique focusing on the choke hold submission:
Combining ethics, tactics and technique in the vascular neck
restraint (VNR)
And, as you may recall, one of our Buyῡ themes in 2014
was the use of skillful verbal communication to resolve conflict
and, perhaps, avoid having to get involved in physical violence.
We had a lot of fun at several of the seminars in New Jersey,
Grand Rapids, Atlanta and California working through some realistic
conflict scenarios using our
Verbal Defense and Influence training.
Bruce and I also wrote an article specifically on tactical communication
for PoliceOne. It covers the four things that we learned from
our late friend, Dr. George Thompson, founder of Verbal Judo,
about how to resolve conflict verbally under stress. You can
read it here:
4 things the Ethical Warrior can learn from Doc Thompson about
verbal conflict resolution
My friend
Tori Eldridge also did an interview with me on the Ethical
Warrior. You can hear it here:
Craig Gray even did a video on verbal skills. I helped out (a
little). Check it, and all of our videos, out
here.
My book "The Ethical Warrior," is doing very well.
Click it if you want to read it.
[Kindle
Version]
Bruce Gourlie and I wrote a follow-up book for protector professionals
called "The Ethical Protector." Check it out!
[Kindle
Version]
I did more work with the J. Mack Robinson College of Business
at the University of Georgia and the
Center
for Ethics and Corporate Responsibility. The Director, Dr.
Steve Olson, has been working with my company, Resolution Group
International, on applying the Marine Corps Ethical Warrior
principles and
Robert L.
Humphrey's Dual Life Value theory of human nature to business
leadership and ethics. This is very exciting work (and a little
controversial) as it runs quite contrary to what is being taught
presently in business schools.
Right now we have a joint venture called the
Ethics Innovation Group (EIG).
The Center and RGI are co-sponsoring a series of EIG "Leading
With Integrity" certification courses. Here's some info
on the next two classes if you are interested:
-
EIG Phase I Leading with
Integrity Certification Course in partnership with Georgia
State University's J. Mack Robinson College of Business
January 7-8, 2015 in Atlanta, GA
-
EIG Phase II Leading with
Integrity Certification Course in partnership with Georgia
State University's J. Mack Robinson College of Business
January 27-28, 2015 in Atlanta, GA
We have big plans for 2014. Still working on that business book
based on the Ethical Warrior concepts!
I mentioned our conflict resolution training company:
Resolution Group
International. As you may know, RGI is made up of military
and law enforcement professionals who teach how to resolve conflict
under stress. The RGI curriculum extrapolates on the work I
have done with Robert L. Humphrey and the Marines in the areas
of ethics, conflict communication and physical protection skills.
We had two more RGI Conflict Resolution Courses in 2014 with
participants from the NYPD, NJ State Police, the Park Service,
Marines, Fortune 500 companies and many more.
RGI Ethical Protector Classwork
(Photo courtesy of the Trentonian)
The infamous RGI beach workout!
(Photo courtesy of the Trentonian)
Joe Shusko giving more of his
patented "tie ins" (Photo courtesy of the Trentonian)
NYPD Guest Speaker James Shanahan
tells the Pat Brown story (Photo courtesy of the Trentonian)
We even made the front page!
Another fine group of Ethical
Protectors!
If you are interested in learning how to apply the Ethical Protector
training as a law enforcement or military professional – or
just want to explore the concept with the top-notch RGI instructors
in a hands-on setting as a civilian warrior – check out RGI
Events. To see more training photos, you can "like
us" on Facebook here.
As a representative of RGI, I had the honor of sharing the Ethical
Warrior message with many law enforcement professionals during
the inaugural New Jersey Conference on Character, Ethics and
Leadership at Stockton College.
Lieut. General Robert L. Caslen, Jr., superintendent, United
States Military Academy at West Point was the keynote speaker,
and national speaker and author on issues critical to Americas,
Vincent Bove, spoke as well. I was privileged to close the
conference.
Over 250 law enforcement personnel attended the event, including
local, county, state and federal officials. Various agencies,
as well as senior-level executives from the Drug Enforcement
Administration (DEA) and FBI, filled the auditorium to capacity.
The well-received message was that America can be re-invigorated
by enhancing the character, ethics and leadership that lie within
the heart of each of us.
Resolution Group International is in its fifth year and continues
to flourish and make an impact. Lot's planned for 2015. And,
as I said, you can see many more cool RGI pictures
here.
This past year I was again privileged to work with the Marine
Corps Martial Arts Program (MCMAP) in Quantico, Virginia. This
important program is led ably by my good friend Joe Shusko
(LtCol USMC ret.). It covers armed and unarmed martial arts
techniques, combat conditioning, mental training and character
development.
I say this every year, but I am so impressed by these young
Marines. They are physically and mentally tough, yet respectful
and ethical. Many are veterans of both Iraq and Afghanistan.
The methodology we use is simple but vitally important: train
a lot, talk a bit, train a lot, talk a bit. The Marines relish
the physical training, and then are open to hear how to use
their training and core values to maintain their ethics and
a "protector mindset" under the adversity of war.
In martial arts training, it is often easy to focus on the physical
part while giving mere lip service to the mental and character
elements. But all three parts must go together.
"Training" - USMC
photo courtesy of Homer Brett 2014
"Talking
Ethical Warriorship" - USMC photo courtesy of Homer Brett
2014
My MCMAP inspiration and boss,
LtCol Joe Shusko (Ret) - we're a lot colder and wetter than
we look!
"Marine Ethical Warriors"
- USMC photo courtesy of Homer Brett 2014
And for those of you who bet I couldn't still finish the Marine
Obstacle Course in boots and flak jacket...
Getting a little old for this...
I was also privileged to be invited back to my old "Stomping
Grounds," Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego, to teach
MCMAP and talk about the Ethical Warrior concept.
That was then...
...and this was 2014 - in the
base theater for a talk after some good training
Many thanks to Ethical Warrior
LtCol Joel Hoffman for inviting me
Played a good bit of music in 2014. Our band "Rogues
on the Run" had another fun year. We did more gigs
with legendary drummer Bernard "Pretty" Purdie (Aretha
Franklin, James Brown, Steely Dan, Hall & Oates, Alan Jackson,
etc. etc. etc.).
Jack & Bernard
Mario, Vel, Jack, Bernard,
Phil and Rob - Rogues on the Run
And we published Bernard's biography, "Let the Drums Speak!"
Check it out.
[Kindle
Version]
If you like contemporary blues with a touch of jazz, please
visit our webpage.
Pretty event-filled year, eh? But enough about 2014. What's
in store for 2015?
As I said above, the warrior path looks different for all of
us – maybe even
very different for some of us. In terms of the need for
real warrior skills, it is certainly there. Many people are
still trying to do harm to innocent others. Why? The reasons
vary – cultural, economic,
political, religious, criminal, etc. But no matter what the
reasons, they are all relative. That is, they are all less important
than life itself. Some people may disagree, saying that some
relative value or another is more important than the life value.
They may even believe it. Yeah, and for centuries people thought
the world was flat, too –
or that the sun revolved around the earth. They were
wrong. And the relativists are wrong, too.
As warriors, we know that relative values, no matter how "great,"
cannot supersede the life value. And we train in mind, heart
and body to protect that value – above all others. Can you think
of a value that is more important than your life? How about
the lives of your loved ones? I can't either.
Calligraphy by Masaaki Hatsumi
from author's personal collection
The heroes among us risk their own lives to protect the lives
of others. I am talking about you in the armed forces,
and you police officers, and you first responders
of all kinds. And you, citizen warrior and ethical
protector. You. You're awesome.
But you need skills. We need skills – moral, verbal
and physical. And we need to practice them. That's what this
is really all about. Not patches or medals or ranks or awards.
Notice I said verbal skills. It was a lot of fun practicing
the verbal skills this year – and we'll do more in 2015.
But I think we also need philosophical clarification. We must
be able to clearly differentiate the relative value
of believes, customs, attitudes, behaviors, etc. – some of which
may be good or bad, moral or immoral, ethical or unethical –
from the absolute value of life. We always respect
life, even if we have to deal decisively with wrong-doing. As
warriors, we must be able to view others – all others
– with mu-shin, the clear and disciplined eye of the
ethical protector.
Mu-shin - Masaaki
Hatsumi
Mu-shin is often translated as “empty mind,” but I
think of it more as a “clear mind.” It is important to realize
that the Protector Mindset is not “empty,” and that we don’t
suddenly have no emotions. The emotions are there, even the
unhelpful ones. But, our ethical and physical training allows
us to “see through the spaces” between the emotions.
As you probably know, the Japanese word kukan might
be translated as “tactical space.” Kukan usually
refers to the feeling of the space between the warrior and the
opponent. I would propose that there is also a "kukan"
within the mind of the warrior that exists “between” the emotions.
Can you see through the spaces
and never lose sight of the Dual Live Value of self and others?
So, if you are able to find the spaces between and
beyond the emotions, what do you see? You may just see a creative
solution that saves lives –
and that is the Ethical Warrior’s number-one job.
Simply stated, one might say that it all just a matter of priorities.
Mu-shin might also mean the ability to focus on life's
most important commitments. In the world today there is a lot
of thought, and we hear a lot of words, but when it comes to
deeds, well, not so much. Protecting life requires action –
deeds. We need to see past all of the distractions and focus
on what is most important in our lives.
As we have said in past years, commitment is actually easier
than a lack of focus. With commitment, you don't have to constantly
wonder what you should be doing out of the millions of things
you could be doing. Pick something worthy and just do it. Then
it is no longer a matter of what to do, just how to do it. It's
not a matter of if you are going to train this week, but how
you are going to get there. Easier.
So,
let's call this year of the sheep the year of mu-shin,
where we will focus on what is most important, make and keep
our commitments – and act!
If you need a little inspiration, here's one of my favorite
values stories from Joe Shusko's book "Tie-Ins
For Life." It is written for young Marine leaders, but you'll
get the message. Read it and embrace 2015 – the year of
mu-shin!
The Jar of Life |
A MARINE STOOD before his Marines with items in front
of him. When he started his class, he picked up a large
jar and proceeded to fill it with golf balls. He asked
his Marines if the jar was full, and they agreed. The
Marine then picked up a box of marbles and poured them
in the jar and again asked his Marines if the jar was
full and they agreed. He then picked up a box of sand
and poured it in the jar and asked his Marines if the
jar was full and once again they agreed. The Marine
then poured two cups of coffee in the jar filling all
the empty space to show the Marines the jar still wasn’t
full until the liquid was added. Then he told his Marines
the jar represents life. The golf balls are the most
important things in your life ~ God, Country, Corps,
family, and your Marines. The marbles represent the
things that matter to you like your house and your car.
The sand is everything else or the small stuff in
life. If you put the sand in the jar first, there will
be no room for the marbles and the golf balls. The same
goes for life. If you spend all your time and energy
on the small stuff, you will never have room for the
things most important in your life. Pay attention to
the things critical to your happiness. Learn to prioritize
all your responsibilities. Play with your children.
Take time to get medical checkups. Take your partner
out to dinner. Play another 18 holes of golf. Take care
of the golf balls first. “What is the coffee for,” asked
a young devil dog. The Marine said, “It just goes to
show you that no matter how full your life may seem,
there is always room to enjoy a cup of coffee with one
of your Marines.” |
Happy 2015! Gambatte!!
Jack Hoban
|