One of the challenges of being a student of Bujinkan Martial Arts is that one day, they will have to grow into a Master Student and learn to live, train, act and think differently from when they first started training.

Becoming a Master Student is not as easy as one might think, it takes hard work, self discipline and something many students never seem to grasp, a sincere heart void of superficial thoughts of grander.

One of the primary distinctions of being a Master Student is having a correct heart. The heart is the most important aspect of training in the Bujinkan, its the foundation of all good Taijutsu.

There are many students training in the Bujinkan who do not have correct hearts, they never had it because their teachers never had it in them. This is a never-ending cycle that only ends when the student becomes a Master Student and takes responsibilty for their own training.

In the Bujinkan, there is no hand holding and every student must think for themselves and be responsible for their own training.

There are many high ranking practitioners in the Bujinkan, but not all of them can be considered Master Students. Some do not deserve such a high rank, but that's part of being in the Bujinkan, everybody gets a high rank if they really want it.

At times, I may even make fun of Bujinkan 10th Dans, especially the ones who have no more skill than a 9th kyu in training. All is fair game when it comes to Ranking. This is why I don't put much value in a Rank, the real rank is ones Heart.

Every student is capable of becoming a Master Student once they learn how to appreciate training and find themselves alone the way. Only then can the Master Student awaken armed with Spiritual wisdom that will protect and guide them in the training.