To reach your full potential as a martial artist, and as a person, there is more to learn and master than techniques alone. Unfortunately, due to the pressures of modern day life, many dojo’s do not adequately address this aspect of parallel development. Our community supports all martial artists who seek to enhance their practice, grow as individuals and contribute to society in a more meaningful way.

I don’t think there is an opportunity to use martial techniques in the real world. In Japan we have the best police force in the world. Therefore, the only part of our training we can use in the real world is the spiritual side. In other words, in society, at home, in school and on our jobs are the places where we realize the value of martial arts training. It is in society where we can engage in real martial arts training.

The Dojo is the backstage and life is the main stage for realizing the true value of the martial arts. One’s training in the martial arts is worthless unless you can realize their true value. That is the reason I have adopted the motto, budo and life are one and the same.
– Katsuyuki Kondo

Pranin, S. A. (2004). Daito-ryu Akijujutsu. Tokyo: Aiki News.

They (martial Artists who are boastful of their skills) are playing around in leaves and branches of a great tree, without the slightest concept of the trunk. Technical skills and agility quickly pale in comparison to the importance of polishing the heart ,mind and character – the very elements that define the quality of ones life.

Gichin Funakoshi in The tewnty guiding principles of Karate. 2012

Even though our path is completely different from the warrior of the past, it is not necessary to abandon totally the old ways. Absorb venerable traditions into this new art by clothing them with fresh garments, and build on classic styles to create better forms

The Art of Peace Morihei Ueshiba (2005)

[L]et us place the foundation [of judo] – training for self defence against attack – at the bottom and call it lower-level judo. Let us call training and cultivation, which are by products of training for defence against attack, middle-level judo. The study of how to put one’s energy to use in society comes last, so let us call it upper-level judo

– Kano, J. (2013). Mind over muscle: Writings from the founder of Judo. (N. Murata, Ed., & N. H. Ross, Trans.) New York, New York: Kodansha International.

I think this (Shining Light Dojo) is needed and has my full support. My wish for my children and grandchildren is not that they learn self-defence, but they learn to protect themselves from all the people who want to pour negativity into their soul and crush their spirit. I want to teach them how to be safe, happy, and healthy.

Paul Retie 9thDan Soke Fuji-rue Goshindo Ju-jitsu

When David approached me to work on this project, and outlined what it was about, I immediately felt a deep and profound connection to it. Some years ago, after a major illness caused by burnout, I set out to rebuild my life and worked through many of the stages presented in this website.
Through developing greater awareness, and gaining a deeper understanding of what really matters, I worked my way back to a much healthier place than I had ever known. A commitment to developing the non-physical aspects of self has positive outcomes far beyond anything I ever imagined.
We all have the potential to overcome those things that hold us back or cause us distress in one form or another. It is through my own knowledge of these benefits that I unreservedly support David in his quest to help those seeking a more fulfilling and rewarding life.

Mark Wotton (Mark Wotton Design)