Budo is the way of Martial Arts. This does not mean that all Martial Arts can be called Budo. On the contrary, very few disciplines that we now call Martial Arts are Budo.

Budo finds its origin in Bushido, the social and ethical code of the samurai. With the abolishment of the samurai class at the end of the feudal period, Bushido, as a code of honour of a specific social class became obsolete. However, over the centuries the practice of traditional martial arts in Japan had become a way of character building and of acquiring the ethical and spiritual values of the samurai. This Way is called Budo. Budo's ethical and spiritual values are still relevant in this day and age.

As a means of confronting oneself, Budo is unique. It's method of going beyond the duality of thought and action is refreshing in a time where everything is intellectually analyzed and explained to the point of sterility.

To follow a particular Way is not without its pitfalls. Many misunderstandings exist that can lead to an erroneous interpretation of the Way.

To some people a Way is something romantic, full of spirituality. It gives a feeling of belonging. Just the act of choosing a Way makes them feel that they have entered a higher level of spiritual awareness.

The reality, however, is very different. When we decide to follow the Way of Budo, we accept its discipline. The practice of this discipline is called shugyo. Shugyo is very hard. There is no place for any nonsense. Some people think that the hardness of shugyo lies in doing rigorous training. Rigorous training gives us a feeling of achievement. This is actually quite rewarding. It is not so hard.

Also the hardness is not in making sacrifices. Sometimes somebody tells me : "I live very far. It is hard for me to come to your classes, but I am making an extra effort." This always makes me feel bad. It seems as if the person is making an effort for my sake, and thus, that he is expecting something in return. Bargaining can never be part of the Way. If you think that you are making sacrifices, it means that you are expecting a reward. This is not the Way of Budo.

The true hardness of Budo lies in the fact that the Way is unyielding. You can not adapt it according to your wishes or your preferences. The Way is there as it is, and you have to adapt to it, accepting it as it presents itself. This is much harder than it seems. We all like doing thing our own way. We all have our excuses.

In Kyudo, from a certain level you wear a kimono. I always had difficulty keeping my kimono draped neatly around my body. I complained to my sensei arguing that the kimono was a garment designed for the body shape of a Japanese person. It didn't look good on a big European with a wide chest. My sensei replied that the fault was not with the kimono, the fault was with me. I had to adapt to the kimono. Strangely enough, once I had accepted that fact, I found it easier to wear kimono.

The Way is experience. Talking about the Way is not the Way. And so, although the Way is universal, it becomes my Way, my experience, and this experience is unique. My Way is not the Way of my sensei. The sensei shares with his deshi what he has learned through experience. The sensei too is walking his Way, confronting himself. Sharing this experience - a very personal experience - is a precious gift. The deshi is not in a position to make demands. How can you make demands on someone sharing his personal experience?

True Budo is a Way of confronting oneself. This can be very frustrating. Some aspects of ourselves, we don't want to look at, we don't want to know. Some people run away, others blame their sensei, others escape in physical injury. Regardless of frustrations and dark periods in which no progress seems to be made, the Way should be a joy. If your Way doesn't have a heart, it will only bring you negative energy and you will hurt yourself.