One should always use the miniature trees and landscapes as teachers of patience.  The plant must be given much time to grow and must be nurtured slowly and carefully.  Even trimming a bonsai must be done with care because a hasty wrong cut may take a year or more to grow out.  This can be an instruction in patience because, like the lifelong trek upon the martial arts path, the bonsai can take many years to grow into the beautiful “picture” you visualized.  Patience developed this way can be applied directly in to the arts since one is supposed to be willing to spend a life time perfecting their art, unlike the “quick fix”, “fast food” view of Budo, and life, that too many people have.

photo by Jim Pavlik Photography

 Gentleness can also be learned when practicing bonsai.  Since the little plant is alive, it must be handled carefully as not to break branches or disturb it’s natural growth.  The potted tree is actually very sensitive to changes in temperature, amounts of sunlight, humidity and changes of watering or fertilization.  The Budoka can learn to be more gentle by learning to deal with such a delicate masterpiece.

Even the martial artist of many years or the teacher of a martial artist can become more respectful of individual differences in people if a gentle nature is cultivated.  This gentleness can also make one better at dealing with children, since they require a more delicate approach to learning.

  Finally, inner peace and concentration can be byproducts of the bonsai practice.  One can almost be in a meditative state when working on potting, trimming or shaping a tree.  Many bonsai enthusiasts report finding inner calmness because of feeling that hours can go by unnoticed during bonsai work.  Concentration is needed to properly snip each and every branch independently and this mental sharpness can flow over into the practice of martial arts.  

photo by Jim Pavlik Photography

Kata practice, sparing work and even reality combat can all be enhanced by developing a more focused and peaceful mental outlook.  It is quite a chore to attain both a peaceful mental state and a focused, concentrated mind.  Most practitioners can be concentrated only when tense mentally and physically.  A quite meditative exercise such as bonsai can teach one that it is possible to have maximum inner concentration and calmness at the same time.  This is the same state as an old master exhibits.

 

         

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