Adapted and Edited by Shinsei (Roger Sheldon) 1990

All members of the Shindo group are aware of my philosophy that Shinseido is a way of peace.  From time to time, the beginner in Shinseido who has not been introduced to this philosophy will question, "If this won't teach me fighting skills, what merit is there in studying it?"  Well, Shinseido will undoubtedly provide one with good fighting skills, but is the other person's definition and understanding of the word 'fight' the same as my own?

It is important to recognise that while Shinseido may well be defined by some as a martial art, this does not automatically make it a fighting art.  Our system is one of civil self-defence not an art of fighting as in militaristics - and there are important differences.  This is one reason why I so often refer to my art as a 'life-skill' rather than a 'martial art'.  The aim of Shinseido practise is to try to bring about peace where there is conflict - this is the true Way.  This is always best achieved through not striking and injuring an antagonist.  Our techniques are best utilised in a state of relaxation rather than one of tension or conflict.  We work on harmonious and responsive relationships rather than reactive ones.  We embrace calmness and a quiet word in the face of inter-personal conflict.  We turn conflict into a way of achieving compromise and peace.

Only the most extreme of our behaviours supports the concept of fighting.  Fighting means "to strive or struggle against; to contend in war or in single combat; to engage in conflict with; to contend against; to maintain or contend for, or oppose, by combat; to achieve by struggle; to cause to contend or enter into conflict.”

In this context 'conflict' requires that there are two or more people involved, hence the old precept 'it takes two to have a fight'.  However, it is my contention that for the most part, I will already be ahead in that I will be in a resolving mind-set.  The fight just isn't going to happen - and if by some chance I am physically attacked, the antagonist's radically different perceptions will almost certainly lead him into being ineffective.  My approach is to try and recognise that the other person is actually a part of myself and so I strive to bring that person into harmony with me and the environment. 

Once we embrace the concept that we are all part of one another (the collective human organism) and that to engage in destructive conflict is hurtful not only to the other person but to oneself, we can begin to move forward on internalising the very spirit and essence of the Way.

It would be perhaps too idealistic to think that every conflict that ever occurred could have been dealt with in a harmonious manner - in part that is because there are some forms of violence that can only be described as 'mindless' or 'wanton' - beyond reason and understanding.  However, what I have come to believe is that a true practitioner of the Way will rarely if ever find him or herself in a conflict situation.

To embrace this new attitude or mindset is what takes so long for most of us who study Shinseido.  Coming from what can only be called a dysfunctional background, be assured I did not find the road easy.  The techniques can be learned in a relatively short period of time but it can be years before they become effective because without the understanding and internalising of the right mind-set, they will always be no more than techniques that help us fight more effectively.

It is important that all seekers in the Way strive to understand and embrace the concept of a 'peaceful mind'.  It took me many years to begin to understand this myself and to leave my fighting, angry mind behind.  Now I feel that I am, for the most part, able to tap into the true essence of Shinseido.  I urge all members to do the same by striving to understand the principles of Shinseido practise.  Remember our dojo precept "Do not fight".

Shinseido is merely another personalised term for The Way.  The Way is far bigger than all of us put together.  Our art is not just about self-defence, indeed, nearly all the practical activities that we engage in, within the dojo, are physical metaphors for something far deeper and profound.  The Way, in very large part is about compassion and understanding others.

Only by seeing beyond the goal of becoming a better 'fighter' and adopting the goal of developing a 'non-fighting' mind will you find the true path to Shinseido and its message for the world - this despite the obvious and natural enjoyment derived from the 'sport' of engaging in combat with our dojo partners.

My mind and being constantly seeks the path of softness and fluidity within my life-skill art, to find harmony and balance.  There are many ways of learning how to be non judgemental, many paths to having empathy and unconditional love for others.  These are the real issues, for if I 'defeat' an 'opponent' I have surely defeated myself.