Bushido Code-The Warrior's Way of Life

During times of peace in Japan, the role of the Samurai changed from a warrior status to more of a bureaucratic role. More of their focus was being devoted to personal accomplishments and cultural matters rather than training exclusively for combat. The Samurai used their skills in self-discipline and the martial arts to help them study and teach the arts and literature. Poetry became a favored form of expression. It is during this period (starting around the 16^th century) when much of the philosophy of Bushido was written.

We feel the poem shared below, by Robert H. Cathcart, is reflective of the tenants similar to those held by Samurai warriors. We hope our readers find the same appreciation for its relevance.

I am what I am

I am what I am forever

Unless there is reason to change

In dreams to dedicate living

To expand my human range.

I seek the personal courage

To strive and work for the good,

Do best for all of my neighbors

For me, and all brotherhood.

I want my life to be fulfilled

Work to achieve my goals

Open my mind to the truth.

Act out my self chosen role.

I prize ancestral family,

For decency, virtue, and hope.

Wish to reflect integrity

Create my Kaleidoscope.

I know me flawed and imperfect

But am willing to give it my best.

My pledge is to make the effort

To rise above the unbridled rest.

By Robert H. Cathcart (Guest Blogger)

When you go out your door, it is like seeing an enemy. Since you are a professional warrior and wear swords at your side, you should never forget the spirit of combat at any time. 1

Not Forgetting Combat was mandatory for Samurai in feudal Japan for death was always on their minds; people today can benefit [...] Continue Reading…

by Vangi Cathcart
(guest blogger)

There is a legend claiming that the Samurai warriors practiced calligraphy daily in order to develop their skills in swordsmanship. This art form requires discipline, strength, focus and awareness—skills necessary for a warrior. Calligraphy was taught and practiced by Asian youths in their early years. Calligraphy can be compared with our alphabet. However, the characters represent pictures, whereas our letters form words that are combined into [...] Continue Reading…

“In olden times, they say, warriors of all ranks considered archery and horsemanship the highest martial arts.”1

In early civilization, horses became a technological resource for people to get from one place to another faster than on foot. Horses carried much more than a man could carry on his back and a warrior on a well-trained horse had a strong advantage in battle over adversaries fighting from the ground. [...] Continue Reading…

We are coexisting in a highly competitive world and are pressured to try and keep up—to look the part of the successful professional, perfect spouse, and dutiful parent. There is always even bigger and better technology than what we bought months before, and so we want to have the newest and latest of everything. We are rarely satisfied with our “stuff” even if it’s more than our parents had [...] Continue Reading…

My son’s friend was over this weekend for the first time, and he made a comment curiously saying, “I’m surprised to see you don’t have a microwave.” Well, my response was polite but somewhat defensive as I answered, “We did have one once, but it broke.

I like to cook on the stove, so we never got around to replacing it.” I thought long and hard about the reasons why [...] Continue Reading…

This soup is incredibly easy, delicious and nutritious. Not to mention that it is also extremely versatile. Once the base ingredients are ready, everyone in the whole family can flavor their individual soups the way they like them­­­.

Ingredients: 

1-2 containers silken tofu

Organic vegetable broth (2 cups per bowl of soup served)

Other Optional Ingredients (Flavor to Taste!):

Many of these ingredients can be found in a local Asian market, which should be [...] Continue Reading…

Get Organized and Create More Quality Time

 Do you find yourself feeling tense and anxious for no apparent reason? I made a commitment to myself several years ago to try and determine what was causing me stress, and I finally realized that I was feeling chaos from my external environment. Imagine-my external world was causing my internal world to be confusing and chaotic. There’s an interesting connection between having a [...] Continue Reading…

Life is a toll road and everyone pays the toll in one way or another.  What this means is, in life, everything you do has its price.  Every action or choice you make throughout your existence has consequences or results that have a direct impact on who you are and the outcome of your life. The choices [...] Continue Reading…

Zen and the Bushido
 
What separates us from the Japanese Samurai Warriors of the past? The Samurai approached each day as if it were their last. They thought about death often and consequently lived each day with a heightened sense of awareness. They treated people with the utmost respect. If you knew that today was your last, would you initiate arguments with your brother or wife? If you only had [...] Continue Reading…