C.S. Sloan's Integral Strength

  Hard Training for the Modern Budoka Mas Oyama seen practicing misogi  as a form of shugyo , or ascetic training. Real training is difficult.  It takes constant effort.  It requires self-reflection and a selfless approach to training.  One must train with no thought whatsoever of pain and suffering.  Students have to push themselves to rise above such distractors.  This is shugyo. ~Walther G. Von Krenner 1 In budo, one of the most important terms is “shugyo.”  It’s often translated as “ascetic training” or even just “discipline.”  But these words don’t bely its depth. In “religious” Zen it’s not a word that is often used (if ever).  However, in Budo Zen —the term I prefer for Zen as it was practiced by samurai, bugeisha, and budoka down through the centuries—it is used, as budoka who are also zennists understand its power and significance for budo. Before we get into shugyo proper, I would like to briefly discuss this difference betwe...