KUDEN! Martial Arts, Self-Defense & Survival

What is it that you want to get out of your study (or continued study) of Ninjutsu? Why this system instead of the countless others out there? Are you channeling your energy, focus, and consciousness where you need to, in order to get where you want to be… or are you satisfied with where you […]

During this episode, we’re going to be looking at a problem with the ‘traditional’ vs. ‘modern’ Ninjutsu (or any other martial art for that matter) argument that seems to dominate the realm of personal combat and self-defense training in today’s world – which one is right, does it matter, and… …can this kind of dualistic […]

Commemorating the 200th episode of KUDEN! with Dai-Shihan Miller and multiple special guests! Commemorating the 200th episode of KUDEN! with Dai-Shihan Miller and multiple special guests!

It can be very easy to look at our techniques, skills, and training – both martial and those for life mastery – from the perspective of total control. We can assume that once we have mastered these timeless lessons, that we won’t be caught off guard, hijacked, or surprised…when nothing could be further from the […]

The secrets passed down from our ancient Ninja and Samurai masters go far beyond the technical fighting skills that the majority of people tend to focus on. But there is much more beneath the surface for those willing to look beyond the surface appearance of these powerful self-protection and life-mastery systems. During this episode, we’ll […]

During this episode, we’ll be exploring ways to combat the negative programming and subconscious / unconscious factors which can (and DO) get in the way… and how I went from literally one extreme of “wanting this, but the Universe is against me…” to where I am now, and what I’m constantly moving towards. And, to […]

Having come to training from a wide variety of other martial arts and self-defense systems, one of the concepts my teachers introduced me to within Ninjutsu and the schools of the Bujinkan is the idea that there were lessons and things to learn, which were: Not “self-defense” techniques in and of themselves but had EVERYTHING […]

This week’s episode is based on something ABSOLUTELY ATROCIOUS that I saw while on vacation with Mrs. Sensei recently! The worst part of it all, was that the mistake was being made by a LEO – a law enforcement officer who, like us, may need to use that weapon to protect themselves or others in […]

Based on a question and topic request by a listener and student, during this episode we’ll be exploring the two largest Ninja regions that most know about in ancient Japan. We’ll take a look at similarities and difference between each region… … but also, what I’ve experienced when visiting one of these historical areas in […]

One of the biggest things that stops serious individuals from even beginning towards the accomplishment of their goals is the fear that they’ll fail. This fear is not only founded on another, more deeply ingrained fear; but also ramped up by threats of punishment or ridicule in our early lives for not hitting our mark […]

During this episode, we’ll be welcoming in the New Year together with a look at few things that separate the way the holiday is celebrated in Japan vs here in the West. This will also include a look at the symbol for this year as depicted in the Chinese Zodiac, and ways to get past […]

During this special holiday episode, I’m going to share a lesson I received from my teachers that is more than appropriate during this time of year. Regardless of how you celebrate or where you live, being a true warrior requires a certain perspective, as well-as a unique combination of character traits that create something that […]

During this episode, I’m going to share a lesson I gave at the dojo during a recent Black Belt testing. The lesson is based on the answer to a progress-related question posed to one of the Shodan candidates and, while it was well-intentioned, his answer pointed to a HUGE misconception for many in the realms […]

During this episode of KUDEN! Radio, we’ll be diving into the misunderstood idea of “motivation”, and why it is not only highly over-rated… …but one of the downfalls of so many looking for success. I’ll also be sharing some insights from the Ninja’s ancient, secret mikkyo ‘mind-science’ with regards to how an Enlightened one goes […]

During this episode of KUDEN! Radio, we’ll e diving into the Ninja’s Mikkyo “secret knowledge” and ‘mind-science’ to uncover the three aspects of success, and what we in the martial arts tend to call Mastery… …and how each one, from the perspective of Ego, can create the illusion of success. We’ll also look at how […]

During this episode, we’re going to be taking a look at the difference between two mindsets. Each one should be a part of the overall journey of our progress towards Mastery, but one of them can become a trap that not only keeps us chained to lower levels of development, but which also sets us […]

During this episode, we’re going to explore the differences between instructors, teachers, and mentors, with a specific focus on the latter. More importantly, we’ll be taking a look at the elements of a good mentor…for you… …and an important piece of the puzzle that even the most serious students miss when it comes to learning […]

In this episode, we’ll be exploring the timeless lessons that have been passed down by warriors and enlightened masters proven to produce (at a minimum) above-average results. But, while most prefer to focus on only the positive, “feel-good” parts of the plan… …we’ll also be looking at the habits or “inhibitors” that have been discovered […]

In the business world, there’s a concept called ROI or “return on investment”. This includes the benefits of what we get for putting in the time, effort, and resources along with the accomplishment of the goal. In the martial arts and self-defense realm, this is the black belt or skills necessary to make ourselves and […]

If you’ve been around in the martial arts and self-defense realms for any significant length of time, then you’re sure to have run into several different personality-types, both in the form of well meaning students, “outsider” naysayers (you know, the “that doesn’t work” crowd) – those who are willing to even get verbally or physically […]

In the Ninja’s Mikkyo esoteric ‘mind science’ study, there are are more than a few symbols used to convey everything from energies, to actualized human potentials, to processes and interactions between these things. Some of these can seem fairly obvious, or at least easily grasped when you learn about them, others have meanings far beyond […]

If you’ve been studying, or at least interested in the full system of self-protection and life-mastery known an Ninjutsu (and not like those merely focused on the unarmed combat with some weapons thrown in and calling it ‘Ninjutsu’, then you’ve most likely heard of the Ninja’s power and success principle known as SANMITSU – ‘the […]

If we’re serious about training to be as prepared as possible for the worst and most unthinkable situations, we need to be very clear about both what that situation could be like – what will be going on inside what I call “the bubble” – and – what we’ll need to do within the context […]

One of the concepts that anyone who’s been around the art of Ninjutsu for any significant length of time has heard of is that of fudo-shin (‘Immoveable heart’), which itself is also embodied by the character, Fudo-Myo ‘Immoveable Light King/Queen’, in the Ninja’s Mikkyo esoteric mind-science study of enlightened potential. Any one of the hardest […]

One of the most common success and personal development tools taught by self-help “gurus” and used by many of those trying to create positive change, is that of positive affirmations – Using the power of speech to manifest change. But many find that these statements, supposedly having the power to change your ability to produce […]

One of the most recognizable images when it comes to the Ninja warriors of ancient Japan is their shinobi shozoku – the so-called ‘ninja uniform’. And one of the biggest misconceptions and misunderstandings surrounds, not just the parts of it, but it’s color…the color black! Most believe that this is because of stealth. And like many […]

In the ancient scrolls and texts that have been passed down to us by our warrior and spiritual ancestors, there are secrets to accomplishing things that seem impossible to most. Unfortunately, many also seem to be so “simple” that one can easily roll his or her eyes at them and keep on doing what they’re […]

In this episode, we’ll be taking a look at something that not only turns off those who could be potential and beneficial connections for us, as-well-as lowering us on the “food-chain” in the world of real-warriors; but serves to further diminish our influence over our lives and our ability to actually attain the goals, power, […]

In this episode of KUDEN! Radio, I’ll be uncovering something at the root of failure, or just plain inactivity, for many. This is highlighted in the core teachings of the Ninja’s Mikkyo ‘mind-science’ training and study in several different ways – each being a key to unlocking our potential to break-free from the limitations and […]

During this episode, we’re going to be diving into a topic that everyone thinks they know and, by their actions at least…think they have an opinion on which dictates or allows them to justify their actions in different ways situations. I’m talking about Sonkei & Reikishi – Respect and Etiquette. We’ll be exploring this character trait and success […]

One of the problems we encounter when we’re trying to grow and progress in in thinking that we can do it with the same mindset, habits, and choices which created our current reality. We can try to say new things, use slick titles, or set ourselves up in a way we think will produce the […]

We often discuss the trap of compartmentalizing our lives – of putting things into separate “boxes” – and missing the interconnectedness that is happening all the time. This is just as true of our Ninjutsu self-protection & personal life mastery training as well. During this episode, we’ll be looking at using the 8-Fold Path from […]

If you read the comments left on self-defense videos, whether they’re on mind or anyone else’s material, where self-protection is the focus…you notice a HUGE, gaping, glaring discrepancy… …it’s that the vast majority of people leaving those comments…don’t know the difference between a “fight” – especially of the competitive variety – and a “self-defense” scenario […]

In this episode, we’ll be breaking down the differences in the quality of our choices, with both our day-to-day goals and responsibilities as-well-as with those pertaining to our Ninjutsu self-protection and personal development training. The question is… Are we choosing wisely or conveniently? Are we doing the best we can with what we have, while […]

One of the first things that I was taught by my teacher is that for a Ninja, anything which could be used to create the results that he or she is looking for – anything that can speed up the process – should be considered and, if applicable, applied to serve the Shinobi warrior in […]

A consistent and, yes, proper lesson heard by students again and again is about the importance of basics. This goes beyond the initial lesson heard by beginning students, but also as a reminder to intermediate and advanced practitioners. But, as odd as this may seem considering the lists of so-called “official techniques”, what are the […]

One of the most talked about aspects of Bujinkan Ninjutsu training is the taking and passing of the sakki – blade avoidance test – for Godan, 5th degree black belt, and where one becomes a Shidoshi (‘Teacher of the Warrior Ways of Enlightenment’). But, within the Warrior Concepts’ Black Belt & Life Mastery curriculum, the […]

One of the most common phrases, next to the word: “play!”, that any student of the Bujinkan Ninjutsu and Budo-Taijutsu (yes, there is a difference!) has heard from Soke Hatsumi over the years is the admonition to: “Keep Going!” During this episode, we’ll be looking at the meaning behind this phrase as it relates to […]

Have you ever had self-confidence called into question? Have you ever made a comfortable decision about something, demonstrate something that someone needed to learn, or expressed yourself from a place of knowing and had someone call you…arrogant? During today’s episode, based on a topic submission from one of our listeners, we’ll be looking at the […]

Students, practioners, and those interested in Ninjutsu, the Ninja’s martial and personal development arts, are encouraged to develop success far beyond the dojo and their fighting and self-defense skills. And that all starts with clearly defining one’s goals. But what if THAT becomes the problem; the reason why some students, no matter how much they […]

One of the earliest lessons I received, and one of the most important things that attracted me to the art of Ninjutsu, was the skill of ‘invisibility’. Of course, getting past the scoffing and disbelief this inevitably invokes was the first of many lesons needed to be able to develop this skill. During this episode, […]

Is there a process that underpins the seeming chaos of the world and everyday life? And, if there is, can it be understood, harnessed, and used to achieve the results and ultimate success we’re looking for? Within the ‘spiritual’ lessons that I was exposed to coming up through my training in the martial arts and […]

One of the most contested areas of Ninjutsu training I was exposed to from the earliest days of Ninjutsu in the West, is a framework known as the Godai, or “5 Elements”. Some argue that this ancient system has little to do with the art of Ninjutsu and the training of the Bujinkan, while others […]

If you’re in the martial arts and/or self-defense training realm, I’m sure you’ve heard the argument being thrown around that says: “Kata don’t work on the street for fighting or self-defense”. But if that’s true, then why did the past masters-combat veterans many times over – create them and pass them down to us? During […]

Your brain is wired to protect you from death or perceived death/danger. This includes both instinctive, hard-wired things like not letting the saber-toothed tiger eat you, all the way to guarding against what you tell it you’re afraid of. During this episode, we’ll be taking a look at the lessons I received regrading just “how […]

I began in the Ninja’s arts in 1980 (I know, I’ve got a few years behind me!). Over the years I’ve seen, not only the “face” of the art change but also, the way students approach the art change. Hollywood and teen slang aside, one of the biggest changes I’ve seen has to do with […]

Are the kata in our (or any) martial art, really usable for real-world self-defense? And, if so, how? Because the stiff, preset, choreographed models – whether done solo or with more than one student – don’t seem to fit what we’ve all seen when it comes to a real fight or self-defense attack. During this […]