On some of the early Ninja texts they mention detachment. Most people when reading this would assume that the detachment they are talking about is the ability to be heartless and do whatever is needed to make a mission succeed. This theory can be supported by the fact that Ninja authorities list sympathy as one of the five weaknesses a Ninja needs to overcome. However my recent experiences have lead me to believe that there is far more to the quality of detachment than meets the eye. Recently I have discovered that true detachment is not about the ability to detach oneself from the world but the ability to let go of negative things or things that are not productive. The Buddhists focus on overcoming their desire for things, people or experiences. I believe the first learn to discern the positive from the negative. Then the real challenge is to learn to let go of the negative. Don't regret its loss, don't celebrate it. Just jet go completely. It a skill that needs practice.
Wouldn't some say that in Hermeticism, it is also a trait to achieve to let go of the positive also? And just ride the wave of the middle path? Nothingness?
ReplyDeleteThanks for the Blog Martin, love it, comes with great timing : )
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely right, Martin: a key principle of aikido is "concentration without attachment", allowing you to remain aware of peripheral events and thus able to cope with multiple assailants. On the subject of The Five Weaknesses... as I've suggested in my blog post today (http://www.9to5ninjas.com/exploit-the-five-weaknesses/) sympathy, of course, wasn't entirely lacking from the ninja's character: it was just moderated, so that it didn't become a liability. :)
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