This week is devoted to the warrior, or more accurately the lessons we can learn from the warrior. The inspiration comes from the great Japanese swordsman and Ronin (浪人)Miyamoto Musashi (宮本 武蔵) who lived from approximately 1584 to 1645 CE. Musashi, whose above quote embodies much of what I believe to be true about human beings, and how they live their lives, and the reason he is such an inspiration to me in this regard, is entirely due to his ability to "walk the walk."“There is nothing outside of yourself that can ever enable you to get better, stronger, richer, quicker, or smarter. Everything is within. Everything exists. Seek nothing outside of yourself.”― Miyamoto Musashi
Miyamoto Musashi
(1584-1645)
Musashi, as I mentioned was a "Ronin," a masterless samurai, living in a time when Bushido (武士道) or martial code was the heart and soul of the Samurai caste. The reason this is so significant to me is because at it's core, Bushido had seven main principals or "virtues," which guided the Samurai in their daily living. These seven virtues were:
1. Rectitude, or Moral Justice(義)
2. Heroic Courage(勇気)
3. Benevolence and Compassion(仁)
4. Respect and Courtesy(礼 )
5. Honesty and Integrity(誠 )
6. Honor(名誉)
7. Duty, Loyalty and Devotion(忠義)
While all of these continue to be admirable traits in the modern world, perhaps the most practiced of these seven virtues was honor--meiyo. You see, honor was so integrated into the life of the Samurai, that not even death could get in the way. A Samurai would gladly lay down his life to preserve the honor of his name or that of his master. In fact, the reason that the works of Musashi are so relevant today, is because of the significance of honor.
The code of Bushido dictates that a Samurai should commit ritual suicide upon the loss of his master. This ritual suicide called seppuku (切腹), was intended to preserve the honor of the Samurai who was now "masterless." Musashi lived an undefeated swordsman until his death at age 61. That is a long time to live "without honor," and is a huge testament on how little a (insert four letter expletive) Miyamoto Musashi gave for the establishment of his time.
The following is Musahsi's "Way to be Followed Alone." It was written just prior to the author's death and is said to contain his very soul. It is twenty-one lines, and has a message that I believe each of us, regardless of our faith, race, creed, social standing or ability can learn from and aspire to.
The following is Musahsi's "Way to be Followed Alone." It was written just prior to the author's death and is said to contain his very soul. It is twenty-one lines, and has a message that I believe each of us, regardless of our faith, race, creed, social standing or ability can learn from and aspire to.
1. Accept Everything Just the Way it Is.
Often times, we as human beings worry about things beyond our control or understanding. We become impatient waiting on something to happen, a turn of events in our lives does not work out the way we would have liked it to, or perhaps we linger on the loss of a loved one. The time we spend worrying about our circumstances could be better spent improving ourselves. In the West, we often say "It is what it is." There is a lot to be said in those five words.
The world has long made a profit on the vices of men. Gambling, sex, drugs and alcohol. In my decade of working with the underprivileged and "at-risk" populations of the United States, I have seen the results of these things firsthand. Broken homes, ruined marriages and relationships, financial destitution, addiction and health issues. Pleasure is there for us to enjoy, as long as we keep things in perspective. As long as we keep things in balance.
3. Do Not, Under any Circumstances, Depend on a Partial Feeling.
3. Do Not, Under any Circumstances, Depend on a Partial Feeling.
We have a saying where I come from. "Don't go off half-cocked." Do not attempt something without proper consideration and preparation. Make sure that when you act on something only when you are certain of your actions.
4. Think Lightly of Yourself and Deeply of the World.
Some weeks ago, I discussed "the ripple effect" our actions have on the world. This rule pertains to our actions and out ability to be humble. The old story of the teacup comes to mind:
Some weeks ago, I discussed "the ripple effect" our actions have on the world. This rule pertains to our actions and out ability to be humble. The old story of the teacup comes to mind:
"A young man aspiring to be the disciple of a great master went to the home of the master in hope of being accepted as a student. After being granted admission to the master's home the two chatted away for some time--more accurately the young man went on and on, while the old master listened. After a while the master offered his guest some tea. The master began pouring the hot tea into the cup of his guest. He poured until the cup was full, and then kept on pouring. The young man watched the overflow as it ran over the saucer, onto the table, and then onto the floor. Seeing the mess, the youth could no longer restrain himself. “It is too full! No more will go in!” The master replied "Just like this cup, you are full of opinions, beliefs and speculations. How can I teach you anything unless you first empty your cup?"Be Detached from Desire Your Whole Life Long.
Happiness is overrated I often tell my students. Too much of a let down when you lose something or someone. Strive to be content. Contentment is good. Morris West said "If you spend your life waiting for the storm, you will never enjoy the sunshine." In other words, do not focus so much on obtaining things, feelings, and relationships that you fail to appreciate that which you already have!
6. Do Not Regret What You Have Done.
Live your whole life with an understanding of your actions. We all make good choices as well as bad ones, but even those bad choices make us who we are today. Even if you are not happy with where you are in life, do not regret what you have done, because you are but at one of many transitions in life with many paths ahead of you. Choose to be the person you wish to be.
7. Never be Jealous.
Wishing you have something or someone that belongs to someone else is not productive. Stop wasting your time on that which you do not have, and use it to go out and get something good for yourself!
8. Never let Yourself be Saddened by a Separation.
People and relationships come and go in our lives. This is the nature of relationships. Sometimes it is distance, sometimes it is death, sometimes it is just growing apart. Like I said in my previous post, it is how we remember people that keeps them alive and with us, even when miles or the grave are keeping us apart.
8. Never let Yourself be Saddened by a Separation.
People and relationships come and go in our lives. This is the nature of relationships. Sometimes it is distance, sometimes it is death, sometimes it is just growing apart. Like I said in my previous post, it is how we remember people that keeps them alive and with us, even when miles or the grave are keeping us apart.
9. Resentment and Complaint are Appropriate Neither for Oneself nor Others.
When the coach is giving a pep talk to his team who is losing at halftime, does it do that team any good to listen to him complain? Is that speech going to be effective if all he does is dog on their performance and how much he detests the other team for being ahead? The more effective thing to do, would be to rally his team and focus on improving by identifying the weaknesses in their opponent's strategy. Wasting time is all resentment and complaining are. And as we see, this time is always best used in the bettering of oneself and others!
10. Do not let Yourself be Guided by the Feeling of Lust or Love.
A continuing theme of mine in "Savages" is that of respect. Everything good in our relationships begins with respect for yourself. I tell my young women all the time--"You don't need a man to complete you. Take care of yourself first, respect yourself first, then the right guy will come along who respects you.
11. In All Things Have no Preferences.
Be open minded. Don't let others influence your opinions. Make up your own mind based on your own experiences, and never ever be afraid to try something new!
12. Be Indifferent to Where You Live.
How you live your life is so much more important than where you are living it.
13. Do not Pursue the Taste of Good Food.
Nowhere in the world needs this more than the United States. Eat for your health and nourishment, not for pleasure. Enjoying a good meal is fine--in moderation. Like the saying goes; "Garbage in, garbage out."
14. Do not Hold on to Possessions You no Longer Need.
I have had the honor of being present in the passing of several people important to me or to those who are important to me in the past year. I have on a couple of occasions been asked to assist in their respective estates. One thing I have learned is that in life, we accumulate a lot of stuff. In our house, if we have something we have not used in over a year, we probably don't need it. If we have clothing or toys the kids no longer fit into we give it away. My late friend Terry was known to give people the money out of his wallet without question or need for it to be returned. If he had no use for something and someone else could use it, it was theirs. Even if he still had some use for an item he may just give it to a person anyway. He died a happy man with many, many friends.
15. Do not Act Following Customary Beliefs.
Do not succumb to "peer pressure," or doing something that does not feel right. Think for yourself! If something goes against the respecting of yourself and others, if it does not match your values or sense of morality, don't do it. Lead, don't follow.
16. Do not Collect Weapons or Practice With Weapons Beyond What is Useful.
The expression goes, "Jack of all trades, master of none." Try not to be "Jack." Bruce Lee is famous for saying "I fear not the man who has practiced 10,000 kicks once, but I fear the man who has practiced one kick 10,000 times."
17. Do Not Fear Death.
Face your fears. All of them. Not just your fear of death or dying. Death is the natural and inevitable conclusion for all of our stories. It is not something to be feared--regardless of your belief system or lack thereof. I do not fear death any longer, though I do not foolishly seek it. Everyone must come to their peace with death in their own way. Do not let your fears control you.
18. Do not Seek to Possess Either Goods or Fiefs For Your Old Age.
You know how they say "you can't take it with you?" Well, you can't. If you have collected wealth or properties at the end of your life, give them to those who will use them. Live your life and collect only that which you will use. Accumulating "stuff" only means that you are perfecting attachment, and not perfecting yourself!
19. Respect Buddha and the Gods Without Counting on Their Help.
Another way of saying this is that "God can move mountains, but He has given you the shovel." Have faith that things will work out the way they are supposed to, but by no means is this permission to not perform at your best or work as hard as you can to achieve the honorable outcome. Don't trust in luck. Trust in yourself
20. You May Abandon Your Own Body but You Must Preserve Your Honor.
When you are gone, how will others remember you? Even when you are gone, the actions you took in life should reflect your respect for yourself and for others.
21. Never Stray From The Way.
If you are going to do something, do it with all of your heart, your soul, your physical efforts and skill or don't do it at all. After all, if you don't believe in yourself why should others? Be a man or woman who is willing to stand by his or her convictions. Respect yourself, and respect others.
The Samurai code, is one that all of us can learn from and grow from. How do you see yourself in this process? Do you respect others? Do you respect yourself? If we can't make it past ourselves how can we ever expect to respect others? What we can take from Musashi's "Way to be Followed Alone" is that only we can dictate the person we are going to be. Only we have the power to control the outcome of our lives--even when we cannot control the circumstances. I believe in being the person that Musashi was, and encouraged others to be. Until we can all strive to attain that state of self-worth...
We are still savages.
When the coach is giving a pep talk to his team who is losing at halftime, does it do that team any good to listen to him complain? Is that speech going to be effective if all he does is dog on their performance and how much he detests the other team for being ahead? The more effective thing to do, would be to rally his team and focus on improving by identifying the weaknesses in their opponent's strategy. Wasting time is all resentment and complaining are. And as we see, this time is always best used in the bettering of oneself and others!
10. Do not let Yourself be Guided by the Feeling of Lust or Love.
A continuing theme of mine in "Savages" is that of respect. Everything good in our relationships begins with respect for yourself. I tell my young women all the time--"You don't need a man to complete you. Take care of yourself first, respect yourself first, then the right guy will come along who respects you.
11. In All Things Have no Preferences.
Be open minded. Don't let others influence your opinions. Make up your own mind based on your own experiences, and never ever be afraid to try something new!
12. Be Indifferent to Where You Live.
How you live your life is so much more important than where you are living it.
13. Do not Pursue the Taste of Good Food.
Nowhere in the world needs this more than the United States. Eat for your health and nourishment, not for pleasure. Enjoying a good meal is fine--in moderation. Like the saying goes; "Garbage in, garbage out."
14. Do not Hold on to Possessions You no Longer Need.
I have had the honor of being present in the passing of several people important to me or to those who are important to me in the past year. I have on a couple of occasions been asked to assist in their respective estates. One thing I have learned is that in life, we accumulate a lot of stuff. In our house, if we have something we have not used in over a year, we probably don't need it. If we have clothing or toys the kids no longer fit into we give it away. My late friend Terry was known to give people the money out of his wallet without question or need for it to be returned. If he had no use for something and someone else could use it, it was theirs. Even if he still had some use for an item he may just give it to a person anyway. He died a happy man with many, many friends.
15. Do not Act Following Customary Beliefs.
Do not succumb to "peer pressure," or doing something that does not feel right. Think for yourself! If something goes against the respecting of yourself and others, if it does not match your values or sense of morality, don't do it. Lead, don't follow.
16. Do not Collect Weapons or Practice With Weapons Beyond What is Useful.
The expression goes, "Jack of all trades, master of none." Try not to be "Jack." Bruce Lee is famous for saying "I fear not the man who has practiced 10,000 kicks once, but I fear the man who has practiced one kick 10,000 times."
17. Do Not Fear Death.
Face your fears. All of them. Not just your fear of death or dying. Death is the natural and inevitable conclusion for all of our stories. It is not something to be feared--regardless of your belief system or lack thereof. I do not fear death any longer, though I do not foolishly seek it. Everyone must come to their peace with death in their own way. Do not let your fears control you.
18. Do not Seek to Possess Either Goods or Fiefs For Your Old Age.
You know how they say "you can't take it with you?" Well, you can't. If you have collected wealth or properties at the end of your life, give them to those who will use them. Live your life and collect only that which you will use. Accumulating "stuff" only means that you are perfecting attachment, and not perfecting yourself!
19. Respect Buddha and the Gods Without Counting on Their Help.
Another way of saying this is that "God can move mountains, but He has given you the shovel." Have faith that things will work out the way they are supposed to, but by no means is this permission to not perform at your best or work as hard as you can to achieve the honorable outcome. Don't trust in luck. Trust in yourself
20. You May Abandon Your Own Body but You Must Preserve Your Honor.
When you are gone, how will others remember you? Even when you are gone, the actions you took in life should reflect your respect for yourself and for others.
21. Never Stray From The Way.
If you are going to do something, do it with all of your heart, your soul, your physical efforts and skill or don't do it at all. After all, if you don't believe in yourself why should others? Be a man or woman who is willing to stand by his or her convictions. Respect yourself, and respect others.
The Samurai code, is one that all of us can learn from and grow from. How do you see yourself in this process? Do you respect others? Do you respect yourself? If we can't make it past ourselves how can we ever expect to respect others? What we can take from Musashi's "Way to be Followed Alone" is that only we can dictate the person we are going to be. Only we have the power to control the outcome of our lives--even when we cannot control the circumstances. I believe in being the person that Musashi was, and encouraged others to be. Until we can all strive to attain that state of self-worth...
We are still savages.
