The Path of Tatsujin (達人)

Tatsujin (達人) is a Japanese concept representing a fully self actualized human being, or a complete person. It is a higher state of consciousness, that is uninhibited by the weaknesses in our personality that make us inherently human. It is a mind that is free from the desires of the ego, and able to see life through the "Eyes and Mind of God" as Takamatsu Sensei once mentioned.

According to Japanese philosophy, Tatsujin is impossible for a human being to attain so long as he/she is alive on this Earth. So if this higher state of consciousness is unattainable, why should we bother to work towards it?

Throughout our lives, our perception of what we consider to be "Truth" and "Falsehood" is drastically misconstrued by Emotional, Social and Psychological filters. As our mind receives new information, it is processed through a series of "filters" before we can interpret it. This is why two people can have the same exact experience, and have entirely different perspectives on what happened.

We build these filters based on our interactions with the world around us. Many times, we tend to prejudge a certain situation or person, based on our prior experiences. Furthermore, because our current perception tends to make us feel safe, we ignore or deny our personal weaknesses or admit that our perception needs a little work.

Training in Budo is designed to bring you face to face with your weaknesses. You are forced to confront your filters, and question your version of reality.

To break past our preconceived notions and finally experience "truth". To be on the path of Tatsujin, means we must first honestly examine ourselves. We must expose our Psychological, Emotional, Physical and Spiritual weaknesses and work towards eliminating them one by one, until there is nothing left but strength.

It is impossible to attain Tatsujin in this life, but working towards it makes us better human beings. Knowing that you will never reach your goal, means you will have spent your life working to constantly improve yourself. When we spend so much time improving ourselves, there is little time to criticize others.

Originally written in 2012.