This could be considered a part of the darker aspects of the Martial Arts. There is no purpose set in honor, discipline, respect, spiritual advancement, personal health, or even general self defense. It's about power when the power is needed. It's about becoming a machine or a ghost. But this gift isn't taught for the reason of power alone. The whole purpose of power in the training of the Shadow Warrior is in the service of something, because when you learn to become another entity and have nothing for which to offer services, the power within stirs chaotically, leaving you to be a death machine without reason.
Some may wonder why this would even appear on this site. It's actually a very simple reason. This method I am giving is merely the tip of the iceberg. We have much more powerful methods in our arsenal. Things that are not taught until way later after a certain level of mastery has been obtained. By that time, any selfish reasons for learning it shall have faded away with the ego that we seek to strip away. As for those who are not within the ranks of those who know these practices, you are fully capable of finding your own way if you truly seek through the realms of mystery and advancement. And when at last you have found the power that has alluded seekers who were not willing to push on through the adversity, there shall you also face yourself. One cannot possess power without a price, as you shall certainly learn over and over. But in the end, when the price is paid and you still remain, then true power shall be placed in your hand, and you will then care nothing of it. The irony of the universe.
STEP ONE
First thing's first. You need an image to assimilate. This image has to symbolize to you absolute strength and invincibility, like a bear or a lion. Whatever works for you. The Ninja usually used the Tengu or Oni demons of legend. If it works for you, great. For mamny today, the image of the Ninja would work. But choose your best image for this. You need an image you can feel yourself actually taking the form of. This isn't limited to Ninja, either. The "Berzerkers" of the Viking culture used the bear image. In fact, their very name is Norse for "Bear Shirts".
STEP TWO
After choosing the image, next get ready to meditate. Finding a quiet place, and maybe even having on some music that gives you that feeling of power, focus on the image chosen. Spend a while seeing the power and unstoppable force of this image. If you chose a Ninja, see him facing impeccable odds, yet conquering without flaw. If a bear, see him tear apart a group of men. The whole idea is to see an unstoppable force of devastation. And if your goal is to be as the Ninja, see in this image the ability to be unseen. Perhaps even a ghost would work. This is one reason demons were chosen as the image.
STEP THREE
Now comes the crucial moment. Visualize yourself merging with this image. You move into the body of this image. Take notice of what it feels like to be him. Notice the clothing you wear. Do you have wings? Feel any weapon you might hold. What does it feel like? What do you smell? What do you see? How strong do you feel? How fast can you move? Just simply sense these things. Use all your senses in this image. If you watched this creature slay an army, look at the army as they lie on the ground, having fallen by YOUR hand.
As you do this, begin a chant. This can be whatever you want. And how your hands in any symbol that works, like in the nine cuts. Use a hand sign that will only have the purpose of granting you this power, and a word, as well. Or even a few words. "Power and strength, I live by the blade" is an example. Or "all and none, I AM the Ninja." "A ghostly form shall I possess as I fade into the darkness." If you use a phrase, be poetic about it. Or even make two sentences that rhyme, like the Witches do for their spells. "Having gained the image, power flows through. Now I have become the fearful Tengu." These are just ideas I'm making up as I go along, though you might notice that I'm used to coming up with such ideas (I write music). And as for the hand sign, take note of anything that seems to send energy, because it greatly helps to trigger the image.
STEP FOUR
When ready to close this, you MUST visualize yourself stepping out of the image. Feel yourself return to your own body and existence. This is crucial, or else the image could have negative effects on your daily life. Feel what it's like to be you again. Now say and repeat to yourself any phrase that'll help you to return, such as "now I return to my daily life." And a good idea is to finish by saying "IT IS DONE", with great affirmation. And then clap your hands to force your mind make into current reality. This will help keep the two separate. I've seen people become unable to determine the difference between the physical reality and the mental world. Don't let this happen to you.
The Purposes for This
One obvious use of this method is to become a force of power for times when that's needed, like in war. You can also use this in a moment when a gang is ready to beat you senseless, just say the words under your breath. DO NOT use this in a friendly spar. You may regret it. Also, you can use other images, as well. One awesome thing about this is that the way it's done actually changes your mental body, which can also effect the astral body. The result is that others will deep down perceive you like this. For reasons they won't understand, they'll fear you. Or, if the image is a cute little puppy, they'll like you and favor you.
The Dangers
Do not use this too often or the image will begin to greatly alter your personality and you will slowly become the image in your waking life. This is not good. It isn't the real you, it is only an illusion. The True Warrior can see through illusions and isn't bound by them. If you let the illusion take you over, you don't exist any longer. You are possessed by a mentally created entity. In other words, you've gone off the deep end.
Remember, meditate on it often, but don't use it often. And ALWAYS step out of the image with your chosen phrase, and even have a gesture used to disperse it.
