Part of any commitment to a higher “Path” of practice (martial arts, meditation, yoga, etc.) is the need to put in the time to develop skills in your given field. But whereas developing skill is indispensable on any Path, gaining Mastery is an entirely different matter. The development of skill is in the realm of the possible. Mastery, on the other hand, is in the realm of the mystical. To gain mastery you must commit to the inner Path of learning from the Tengu.
Who Were The Tengu?
The “Tengu” were mystical demons that came out of ancient Japanese mythology. Half man, and half crow, they had human bodies, but the taloned-feet and sharp beaks of a crow. The Tengu were the keepers and protectors of the esoteric sword arts of the spiritual warriors. They lived far away in the mountains, deep in the forest shadows, out beyond the furthest outposts of human civilization.
When a Samurai reached a high level of skill through years of rigorous training in their dojo, they would then commit to a life of service. As a Samurai, their duty was to serve their teacher, their school, their clan, and their lord.
But occasionally there was the warrior for which attaining a high level of skill was simply not enough. They sensed that there was something more than the usual path of service (as honorable as that may be). For this rare individual, the only place to go was inward on the esoteric Path of the “spiritual warrior.”
This meant transcending the mere acquisition of skill. Attaining mastery meant going on the arduous journey to seek out the Tengu.
Skill vs. Mastery
Let’s look at the difference between skill and mastery. To become skillful at something you need to take on a discipline. This includes immersing yourself in a proven methodology, learning the ins and outs of techniques, applying those skills to various situations, and having an appropriate guide. Then, of course, you need to put in your time (often years) of practice, practice, practice.
Gaining mastery has very different demands. It includes a serious investment in the development of skill as a necessary foundation for mastery. But this alone is not enough because mastery demands that you go beyond yourself. Beyond the fears and desires of the ego. It requires nothing less than going beyond your limited sense of “self.”
The founder of Aikido, Morihei Ueshiba, left for all his students the injunction “Masakatsu Agatsu” – “True victory, is victory over oneself.” This injunction is a beautiful “pointing-out” instruction for the spiritual warrior on any Path of mastery; the fundamental enemy is not “out there”, but rather inside your very own psyche.
Holding this injunction requires you to face yourself, to work with, to overcome, and ultimately, to integrate your own inner limitations, fears, desires, and in some cases, your own inner demons.
The path of “skillfulness” is common. On the other hand, the path of mastery is always rare. There are not many who seek out the Tengu to learn the esoteric arts… and of those who do, fewer still gain mastery.
The Young Samurai Yoshitsune Learns To Fight From The Tengu
The Test Of The Tengu’s Mirror
Simply seeking out the Tengu was no guarantee that they would accept you as a student and teach you. You had to be very serious about your intention, and you had to pass the test of the Tengu’s mirror.
The Tengu would never reveal themselves easily. Only after a long and exhaustive search in the unknown regions of the mountains, when you spent up all your resources and were at your most vulnerable, only then would they choose to appear to you.
When you were completely off guard, the “Karasu Tengu” (crow demons) would descend from the treetops and encircle you. They would have their swords held high above their heads ready to attack should you resist or try to escape.
Then the “Dai Tengu” (king demon) would land in front of you to test you. With no means of escape, the Dai Tengu would pull from his kimono a magical mirror and thrust it into your face. This “Tengu’s Mirror” would reflect back to you your deepest fears and your own inner demons.
If you wavered and showed any fear in the face of your innermost reflection, you would fail the test. Then all of the Tengu would descend upon you, cutting you up with their swords and ripping you to pieces with their talons and beaks.
But if you had the courage to look into the mirror and hold your gaze… if you did not contract in fear from the reflection of your own inner demons… then rather than destroy you, the Tengu would put away their swords and bow down in service to you. They would become your teachers and guide you on the esoteric Path of mastery.
Tengu As Teacher
Choosing to learn from the Tengu means accepting the challenge to face your own inner demons. No choice has a higher danger because it is a double-edged sword. One edge of the sword cutting towards mastery, the other edge-cutting towards the ego.
This choice will always be your greatest personal challenge, your greatest personal threat, and the source of your greatest personal fear. As such, it requires nothing less than your greatest commitment.
It’s better to live in ignorance of your inner demons than to face the Tengu half-heartedly. It is a commitment you must take on fully. Anything less dooms you to being haunted by your own inner demons. In fact, they may even destroy you.
But if you show both courage, and vulnerability in the face of the Tengu’s Mirror, then they will be your teacher and in time, mastery will be yours.
Mastery As “Clear Liquid”
For a man or woman who has completed their esoteric learning from the Tengu, the final part of their journey is to return to the market place and share their mastery with the world.
These “spiritual warriors” bestow their gifts on the world as an honor and service to humankind. Their mastery is a shining light for others to follow. They may teach through preserving the ways of a particular school, or they may be innovative and create something completely new. Whatever the case, their teaching will come from an esoteric core of compassion and wisdom that is beneficial to all those who come into contact with it.
The Zen sword master of ancient Japan, Issai Chozanshi, learned from the Tengu. Perhaps he said it best about mastery; “The mark of a true master is according to this; they can take from the dregs of the ancients and extract clear liquid.”
The recording below is from a Dharma talk I gave at a meditation retreat in Holland on Jan. 25th, 2016. In this talk, I share the story of the “Tengu” of Japan and how the young Samurai would face the test of the “Tengu’s Mirror.” Enjoy!
Question: How do you see learning from the Tengu on the Path of Mastery? Join the conversation by leaving your comments below!
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