In the past, various names were used to describe my holistic life-skill. The terms used have had martial (militaristic) connotations, or have described a specific system devised by a particular historical individual and therefore presented within the confines of certain perceived teachings. This, despite the fact that the progenitors of those systems almost certainly did not intend their systems to be understood in such a restrictive and narrow way. Today, such terms are used only in a historical context within Shinseido my holistic art.

The trouble with names is that they fix a point.  They make something specific and constrained.  Things are rarely like that.  In many ways Shinseido is so far reaching and extensive that to try to describe it is to confine it and deny its wholistic nature.

The term Shinseido describes just one person's way of being.

Restrictively and practically it describes my way of working and teaching an individualistic system that is rooted in part, in the old Okinawan art known as Matsumura Shurite and in part in my own professional experience as a teacher of the

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 management of challenging behaviour and aggression. 

Restrictively and philosophically it describes my understanding of humankind's place in the universe, it's purpose and manner of existence.  I can only pass on what I know and what I feel to be the truth within myself.  What others make of that is ultimately up to them, but there is a core of sound knowledge that makes Shinseido what it is.

As a renowned martial artist once said, "If others complain or criticise it is of no matter and of no importance. if others say my way of doing things is different from 'this' or from 'that', so be it.  If they say that my art is flawed, inconsistent, or inaccurate, let my art be nameless - for names are of no matter and certainly not to be fussed over."

The perceptive and progressive seeker will see that ultimately there is no difference in anything.  The underlying principles of all martial arts are the same; only the emphasis changes. As regards other ways of seeking the way to self-realisation and enlightenment, it does not matter who is right or wrong, or who is better or worse. Truth is as infinitely flexible as the universe is great - there are as many realities as there are people in the world. One need not be for or against.  Every individual seeker's truth is unique.  A precept that was passed down to me is that we should not criticise the ways and methods of others until we, ourselves are perfect and above criticism.  Seek your own way of being, seek your own truths within the framework of your chosen art.

"All paths lead to the top of the mountain and in the landscape of spring, there is neither better nor worse.  The teacher's job is done when he sees the flowering buds grow, some long, some short."