This short note is to those students that I have had the honour of teaching these past years.

The purpose of it is to make you aware of exciting recent events in my world should you seek to know of them.

In view of the suddenness of my departure from the BAMA I would also take this opportunity to thank everyone that has been in contact with me since, for their good wishes and numerous messages of support.

As I said in my initial message to the black belts that I reached, for me at least nothing has changed between you and I, and if you valued my council once then please know I am still here if you want or when you have need. In complete confidence, I will try to help you in troubled times or when you seek wisdom or another viewpoint. I owe you that, I am not the enemy, the competition or a second Master, but I am a friend and two humans talking is not being disloyal. I am still holding my end of the rope.

I do not ask any man to be disloyal to the BAMA but I implore everyone to be loyal first and foremost to their inner code and to pay attention when it is voicing unease. It is not “being negative” to take a standpoint that opposes the view of any man, but it is very wrong to be unable to voice it without fear of persecution or being cold-shouldered by those around you for doing so (especially as everyone around you is thinking the same thing but are unable to say it because of the same fears). Its not that you don’t get it and need to work harder either, your instincts are right, but then you spend time trying to convince yourself you are not, fuelled by the fact that no one around you dares to compare their thoughts with yours.

Sometimes true learning is indeed an uncomfortable journey, but there must always be an environment, based on mutual respect, where open discussion, debate, mutual enquiry and reflection of all the myriad views of the group can be expressed and individual standpoints truly arrived at.

I would like to make it clear that I am not “going more physical” or simply “moving on” in fact ,I shall continue my work exactly as you have witnessed these past years. Yes, I believe that full exploration of the physical aspects of the combat scenario is essential in developing the rock solid foundation of the security of self, I also believe that to do otherwise is to misguide the student. But it’s not simply about practising skills, it’s actually about the positive state of mind that comes out of practicing those skills. The resulting state of mind that is born from a secure self, a disciplined mind that is no longer intimidated by others or by life situations brings with it the potential for the greatest of all rewards.  I believe that a firmly rooted wholly secure mind is a mind that will give birth to a new strength and freedom of human spirit and “as your re-awakened human spirit begins to flourish, so you begin to live your life more happily and fully.”

My calling will not allow a moments waver from the path and everything I believe in, everything I have taught you thus far, came from my very being ... so to not do what i do ...... would be to not be what I am..... and that would be an unacceptable betrayal of my core.

On March 1st I shall open a new full time dojo in Gloucester.

This is my statement of intent for the dojo and as such it may be subject to minor amendment as my ideas solidify and practicalities dictate.

It is to be called dojo (place of “the way”) of truth (right; just; correct; righteous; honest; truthful; proper;straightforward;) and will be committed to pursuance of the original face for all who enter the door. The trinity of self (mind, body, spirit) will form the basis of all that will occur between its walls. It will not be a school......  it will be a dojo in the truest sense. A place where a family of seekers of the way follow a martial path to inner peace and contentment. There will be no franchises, empires, branches or attempts to spread any word. The dojo will never be over filled, for I still believe that direct transmission between teacher and student is the only way for a true teacher...... You must be able to see into the students eyes to grasp the direction that their mind has taken from your words and so know when that direction is false, such that your next words offer them the chance of correcting course. It shall also be an open dojo, mystery and secrecy shall find no place between the walls of the concrete and the transparent.

I am also looking forward to opening the doors to any and all kinds of experts that have something worthy to teach from within the boundaries of the trinity of self. Positivity in life will be pursued relentlessly, but never by the censorship of opposing views or the misguided application of the virtue of loyalty.  The environment will always be friendly, safe and supportive, it will often be humorous but always enlightening and will be a place where honour, loyalty, integrity, discipline and respect abound. No man will ever shout at another in anger, belittle another through rank or abuse the character of another, especially under the perversely one sided concept of teaching by stripping away. No man shall ever fear climbing the steps of the dojo, be subjected to deliberate intimidation in order to crush dissent or be spoken to in a threatening tone, whether in private or in public.  And finally, when the time comes for any man to leave, he can rest assured that whatever his name and his reputation, they shall be allowed to stand forever on their own merits, untainted by hearsay and whispers.

This is the intent of the Dojo of Truth Est March 1st 2009.

In the Japanese ways, the concept of one Master is a truism...... But the reality is that it is YOU, you are the true master …… everyone else is a teacher. Master is a word used to describe others. Remember the lessons! a Master lives his philosophy and it is demonstrated naturally and without effort in the in the daily activity of living life, there is no separation between the knowledge and him, as grass grows without effort so does a Master live. An expert may have great knowledge and ability, but it remains separate to the him aspect. He must change from himself into something to demonstrate his expertise.

What has come to pass recently has absolutely nothing to do with differing views on martial arts training or spiritual direction!

I have disowned the man that I followed for 30 years over matters of broken honour, manipulation, greed and egotism… but here’s another lesson I remind you of……. don’t listen to me …. I am probably wrong ;-) You have a duty to find the strength to find your own mind about all things. Listen to your inner voice … I did! and be strong enough to talk openly with your peers, do not live in fear of anything that you are thinking! ....thats what mutual enquiry is for, it's the sacrosanct principle of the true way that helps you sort your thoughts out and arrive at your own conclusions. 

Of course you can disregard my words as is your choice, but you should not dismiss them as unworthy of further consideration just because I have removed a badge,…. not after 30 years of critical study and struggling practice.

Finally, let me say very clearly …….. I seek no man from the BAMA to follow me as I continue my unchanged journey  ……. but also know this, I will turn no one away that climbs the stairs of the Dojo, regardless of the colour of their badge or how long it takes them to find the strength to do so.

Murray Bruton

sensei@seishindojo.co.uk

07973 740295

Murray