Please forgive the rudeness and incompleteness of this text.

Ninjutsu is about life.

This is self-evident in that most of man-kind is capable of understanding both the instinct of survival and the nature of selflessness. It is true that conflict brings about dramatic change and development, but the aftermath and fruits of conflict can not be enjoyed without life. This is the context for what is called peace of mind.

Every grappling motion has a counter. Do not listen to anyone who says otherwise. The military way is about possibility and probability. In combat, the smooth, circular, and elliptical motions are possible. However, the heat of stress and other emotions compounded by the survival instinct make linear motions ( brawling ) more probable. Even more probable is that combat will proceed from standing to ground combat in six seconds or less. Many instructors that I have spoken to recommend a well-rounded training for the tactically-minded student.

How can the truth be that ninjutsu is about life when there is much focus on combat?

As a man grows, his perspective changes. The young and brash martial artist might think little of combat. A seasoned warrior, however, has experience. Along with that experience is the truth that the warrior's body is a collection of injuries. This person, through experience has gained the insight to realize that one day they will become old and their injuries will complicate their health in the process. These thoughts give rise to the desire for living in peace and harmony, or what might be thought of as the Blaze of Glory Syndrome by barbarians.

Living with peace of mind becomes more and more important through the years. Understanding and internalizing virtue is essential for this process. No powerful warrior has a bright future if they concern themselves only with skill and technique for combat. The reason for this is that, in life, there is more rest than combat, unless one truly lives in tumultuous times. Peace of mind becomes essential, or a warrior becomes consumed with conflict. If this happens the warrior will go looking for conflict, and possibly create it, which will eventually be met by over-whelming force.

Humility is essential for every person. It does not matter if they are a warrior or not. By humility, a person can learn every other virtue except one. By humility a person can learn and become a mind ready to be taught.

Experienced, or inexperienced, every student that seeks to learn a system of martial art should approach with humility. The student should focus on learning the system. It is rude to contradict or try to improve a system before fully understanding it, especially to the instructor(s).

Combat is not, has never been, and will never be limited to systems. Systems are a tool and aid. The system is a temporary guide by which a student may gain knowledge, confidence, familiarity of personal limits ( physical and otherwise ), and many other things.