"Way of the Warrior"
In the Samurai’s Bushido, or “Way of the Warrior”, nobility
was a way of life. Emphasizing “frugality,
loyalty, martial arts mastery, and honor unto death” were the main characteristics
for this moral code. (“When the cause is
great, victory is that much sweeter”).
This chivalric philosophy, stemming from Zen Buddhism and Confucianism, seems
to balance Self Discipline and a Freedom of the Mind with a hard ease. Honor above all else. In this day and age, I like to believe that
the Samurai’s Bushido can still be applied to modern philosophy. But I feel we must first define what it is that we
are actually fighting for. (For the
Samurai it was the right to protect their people, to give loyalty to their
master and to adhere to their way of life.
For us- (should we even have to pause to think about this
answer?)?)
When a Samurai became disloyal to the Bushido it was punishable
by death. One sword plunge into the
stomach traced up and into the heart was considered an honorable way to die
among warriors who realized they were not true to their ways. In this day and age, we would have a
difficult time accepting a cause ridden to the death (except for in the freedom
of an Idealistic Mind). What has Western
Culture defined as Nobility if nothing like this seems to exist except through
Tom Cruise movies?
Before we can be true to our way of life, we must define
what it is that we are fighting for.
Until then: “To thus enhance another’s soul moment by moment by moment is
true Nobility.” –Allie Jo 
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteHas not a moral code been fought for ever since the beginning of Time? Prior to the prohibition of fruit for Adam and Eve, the Way of Life is the only thing that existed. Yes, there was no need to fight for it because it just was. After the Fall, there was this division of so-called "good" and "bad" which defines these terms of Nobility and Honor and Strength (Yoda quote- you would :p) against what appears to be their opposite- this dark side. Everything that the Samurai fought for was in defendance of this flow. Just as men today, only not even half as negligent.
ReplyDeleteNobility does exist...just more in essence than in practical measure. All of the ways that we know how to tap into this Way of Life, as all of the single mothers and janitors, are perfect examples. They just get muddled when the Way starts to blur, as it does for the majority of people- thus needing to define what 'we' as a people are fighting for.
This switch you speak of is definitely a patient gain. And I do not believe "brain-washing" would come to mind at all for me on this matter. A free man is always free. A free man's way of life is balance- no 'switch' persay needs to occur. It always just IS.
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteWhat an incredible possibility. Indeed, alive and well.
ReplyDeleteWhy is it that this Way does intrigue me so? After reviewing The Last Samurai a few notables came to my pen:
"Life in Every Breath."
"Too many mind. No mind."
Samurai means "Servant"