Sensei's Blogs, Thoughts and Philosophical
ramblings (Archived Blogs)
The Way of the Samurai
Unfettered and alone the samurai journey’s - seeking his destiny
to serve, the samurai comes upon an isolated stream deep in an unknown
forest. For here he finds the alluring sound of water cascading in a relentless
flow. After bathing in its cool refreshing waters the enemy that stalks
his soul manifests in the questions of the heart. It is the enemy that
constantly tugs at his conscience, the enemy that lives deep within.
In mokuso he hears the forest talks through its denizens of nature.
He gains strength as countless sounds of nature echo through the trees
carried on the breeze of the earth’s breath. They reassure and feed
the hunger that drives him on his eternal journey of life. It is a time
to reflect and relive the glorious battles of life.
His battles have intertwined with many. Some have been good and others
have left their scars. These are the battles that fire the heart and forge
friendships and lasting memories. With every battle, even those that have
been victorious they have taken another little piece of him. This is the
burden that he will constantly bear on his never-ending journey on the
twisting road of life.
But today he will rest, relax and finish the way of misogi. For, within
the spray of the waterfall he will draw his sword to complete the trial
of spiritual cleansing. He becomes one with himself and makes a cut –
a cut with absolute precision that separates the air. With each cut a
demon from within falls. Each demon is a manifestation of his inner self
that can only be banished through regular cuts of the sword made with
perfection, commitment and from the heart. The cut demons disperse in
a shower of swirling light as the sword cuts the air.
Tonight he will sleep under the stars knowing he has performed the ritual
of cleansing to grant him peace for another day. Tomorrow the lone samurai
will continue of his journey, leaving behind the legacy of peace and harmony
for others to experience. He has an even stronger understanding of his
destiny to serve with honour and compassion.
Awaken the “samurai” that dwells within us as we too each
have a destiny to follow. It is a destiny to serve, to protect and to
achieve enlightenment. Do not be afraid of the path that has been created
by those who have travelled before us. Walk with a humbleness and face
the encounters with our inner enemies with a profound courage to provide
an even safer path for those that follow. This is the way of the samurai…
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The Heart of the Samurai
Movies and perhaps some history has created a perception
of the samurai as cold, calculating mercenaries with no regard for human
life who blindly follow the code of Bushido. Yes, perhaps there is an
element of truth but the truth is misguided and has to be understood.
The samurai did believe in a code of ethics and virtues embodied in
their soul and strived to attain the highest honours of their chosen
path. It is hard to imagine that when we perceive as brutal. The chivalrous
knights of old and even native Indian ideology has captured the imagination
with their ritualistic beliefs and in many ways shared similar warrior
interpretations.
The true samurai was usually born into a family who believed
in maintaining the lineage and some rose through the ranks to become
an elite society in their own right. The history of the samurai is a
long and sometimes complicated and I don’t wish to give a history
lesson but merely an understanding into the mind and destiny of the
samurai as a person.
The aim of the samurai was to serve his chosen lord, protect
the domain and life of those less fortunate. Many samurai attained great
respect for their commitment and adherence to a code of conduct that
required immense compassion, understanding and sacrifice. The samurai
wasn’t just skilled with the sword but also with the pen, brush and
word and a reverence for living things and that beyond.
Does the samurai exist today? Well yes! He may not carry
his katana or display the costume of his era. The samurai spirit is
still alive in those who have clung to the very ethics and legacy that
history has left in the various branches of budo. The beliefs have evolved
without loosing neither the essence of the warrior heart or virtues
of humanity.
Today’s samurai still maintain those traditions
through their commitment and honest dedication to preserving life, peace
and harmony in a world that in some ways has not changed much as far
as human behavior is concerned. They will share their wisdom, experiences
and teachings to allow others to enhance their lives. The feudal domains
of past are no longer separated by boundaries but has become the Universe
itself. For each samurai who has chosen the bushido path has made a
lifelong commitment to seek enlightenment. The samurai may appear detached
from apparent normality but they still have needs, wants, desires and
dreams just as any human being. Yet his willingness to make profound
sacrifices cannot be discarded as eccentric or false. He has chosen
to become a servant of humanity so that humility, grace, sincerity,
honour, righteousness, etiquette, courage, respect, to name but a few
can be realized on the path of life’s journey. They are the virtues
that mould the heart of the samurai..
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The Closet Samurai
No one martial art is better than another but certain arts may suit individuals.
Personalities and character plays an important part in the choice of art.
More importantly is what are our perceptions, aims and goals. Nearly all
arts fall into two categories – unarmed or armed but they all relate
to one another. Some arts are more appropriate in enhancing another art
and may even share some basic principles. Technically, aikido, judo and
jujitsu are very similar yet are perceived to be very different. Judo
has evolved into a sport and hence has to abide by certain rules and regulations.
Aikido and jujitsu have maintained their martial application. However,
aikido provides a more spiritual path and comes close to following the
bushido essence - yet many techniques are very similar.
Both aikido and jujitsu can be the fundamental structure for pursuing
the Way of the Samurai. The use of the sword, jo and bokken in aikido
is perhaps the key to this connection. Jujitsu practitioners are more
likely to use a variety of weapons as part of one’s training depending
on the style, each providing a unique sense off awareness to enhance their
philosophies.
Other subtle differences may be found even in ukemi (break-falling).
Aikido rolls tend to be more graceful with the need to rise up to maintain
continuity. Jujitsu tends to remove the opportunity to rise up as techniques
tend to be applied with an impression of finality. The same could also
be said for judo – as most judo techniques are usually applied to
follow up with ground work.
However, understanding and accepting the infinite number of ways that
apply to martial principles will help individuals to better appreciate
the connection between the arts.
Iaido and Kendo can also provide an advantage to the previous arts even
though they have their own followers. Kendo is basically a sport but has
retained the traditional values of budo. Iaido, the art of drawing the
sword can also give a better understanding to basic aikido principles.
Where as kenjutsu, tends to promote the martial implications of the sword.
Karate, meaning literally “empty” hands provides one to develop
the body as a tool but some schools also allow for a deeper and profound
experience. Many karate schools also allow for weapons training, particularly
Okinawa.
Claiming that one art is better than another is sure sign that one has
not grasped the fundamentals of bushido. The true student of bushido will
be accepting and not uncompromising to the various facets of budo. Study
the path of your choice but don’t deny the wholesomeness of the
martial ways. Each art is a jigsaw puzzle in itself but budo is the perception
of an infinite number of jigsaws that make up the One.
Choose the arts that mould our spirit and soul’s to best develop
us as individuals. Choose arts that hone the body and mind to merge into
“One with the Universe”. Choose the method that releases the
heart to harmonize with life and existence. Train and condition the self
to explore all that is around so we can perceive no boundaries for the
quest for knowledge and enlightenment.
For no one art can provide the complete understanding of Budo or encompass's
the true virtues of Bushido. Don’t allow vague brashness and overindulgent
egos to contaminate the code of bushido by irrational claims.
Most of all – be true to your-self…
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What has life become?
Political correctness and Health & Safety regulations are taking
away the joy of living. It is a natural process of learning and experience
to acquire a few grazes and scratches on life’s path. It is the
gift of humankind to experience a multitude of emotions that will eventual
hone the human spirit. Yet, these days we have to obey ridiculous and
quite often unrealistic legislations that compromises the joy of living.
Parents and teachers have seen their rights and educational tools restricted
giving young people the impression to treat all forms of authority with
contempt. Respect is what bonds society to provide healthy growth and
prosperity. Today, respect is virtually non existent! Unbecoming morality
and thuggish antisocial behavior is tearing the heart out of every type
of community.
We see the signs and sigh with complacency, yet the decline spirals even
faster. The vulnerable and weak have a right to be protected but over-protectiveness
can cause serious long term issues. Health and welfare are important concerns
but overbearing rigid-ness in its interpretations and applications can
sometimes be counter-productive. Of course it is dangerous for a “fireman”
to climb a ladder or for a cop to save a drowning child - because it is
not in their job description can they decline? We are dictated by our
human nature to preserve life and to act accordingly. We need and have
to take risks and not be penalized for being human.
Social, welfare, health and safety responsibilities must be shared by
all, depending on prevailing circumstances. We cannot let bureaucracy
and shallow legislation control every aspect of our lives to the point
that we evolve to a race of humanoid robots in a fantasy world. This outwardly
realistic perception only serves to hide or suppress individuals’
fears, frustrations and creativity thereby stifling the human spirit.
Democracy is the fundamental cliché of a modern society but it
also leaves it open to abuse and justification by individuals and/or agencies
who impose the rules. It is a balance that’s needs to be recognized
and instigated to provide freedom of expression and development of a society,
yet preserving the rights of the individual
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