Bushido Code-The Warrior's Way of Life

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 from the basic message of this code which is to always be prepared for threats and conflict. Samurai warriors were expected to anticipate an attack whether at home, while bathing and most importantly when answering the door. It was customary for warriors of all ranks to always wear a sword by their side; even in warrior houses. In reality, our modern day world is for the most part civil; however, people are still motivated by egos and driven by greed.

Violence is still prevalent today and those who are better prepared may increase their chances of survival. Combat is defined as a fight, struggle, or controversy, as between two persons, teams, or ideas. Though the Bushido translation applies to physical combat, people today encounter many types of conflict. Regular physical training, a heightened awareness, and educational resources help to increase a person’s self-confidence. Preparedness in all aspects of life can have a positive impact on the quality of life.

Not Forgetting Combat is a mindset that helps us to be the best we can physically and emotionally. It is a discipline that is an “ideal” and can be used as a guide to cope with conflicts in our life. We are all individuals who can benefit from self-development; however, we need to be aware of our personal limitations and consult with a physician before making any kind of drastic change. In fact, growth is not drastic and is a slow process that occurs over time. It is highly individualized!

Conflict in Today’s Society

Movies can lead to misconceptions about self-defense in an attempt to create drama. Characters are often times seen defending themselves against groups of thugs with weapons, or defending themselves against an attacker in an alley. While these situations do happen, there are many other forms of assault that can happen in places were we spend most of our time (like work and home). Assault can be in the form of a physical attack or in the form of verbal abuse or harassment.

Aggravated Assault is the most common violent crime today according to the US National Crime Prevention Council, and the threat of death or serious injury is substantially higher than other forms of assault. The media bombards us with the details of many violent crimes and just a quick search on the internet reveals that these crimes happen everywhere.

A person is guilty of aggravated assault if he or she attempts to cause serious bodily injury to another or causes such injury purposely, knowingly, or recklessly under circumstances manifesting extreme indifference to the value of human life; or attempts to cause or purposely or knowingly causes bodily injury to another with a deadly weapon.

Though aggravated assault is one of the most severe forms of assault, other types of conflict may be prevented or stopped by being better prepared. When someone attacks us verbally, we are often times caught by surprise and fear gets in the way of rational thought. By knowing more about human rights and seeking out adequate resources, people can prepare themselves to deal with these kinds of threats.

Violence and Harassment in the Workplace

Some employees endure physical and verbal assault in the workplace by other employees, customers, and patients (health care workers). The Federal Bureau of Investigation takes workplace violence seriously. Verbal assault may be unreported due to fears of job loss. Verbal abuse or assault can leave people feeling helpless and hopeless without the proper resources. Employers have a legal and ethical obligation to promote a work environment free from threats and violence…and employees have the right to expect a work environment that promotes safety from violence, threats and harassment.

Domestic Violence

Intimate partner violence (domestic violence) is a serious form of abuse that often times goes unreported because a controlling partner instills fear in another through manipulation. There are many resources for victims of domestic violence and a call for help is the first step—this takes courage.

An increase in self-confidence helps individuals to take back control of their lives. Low self-esteem, internal control, or assertiveness can cause people to fear conflict situations and become easy targets for more aggressive or manipulative people.  Even people with relatively good self-esteem can be manipulated when they run into someone extremely skilled at manipulation.  Developing your self-esteem, internal control, and assertiveness skills can make you much stronger in conflict situations or any situations involving differences of opinion.

Physical Training and Preparedness

“The more you sweat in peace, the less you bleed in war.”

^{An old Asian Proverb}

As an optimist, I like to think that our attitude has a huge impact on our life. I have learned that positive thoughts and actions seem to attract positive energy. On the other hand, as a martial artist I understand that when “your life is on the line, you want all your weapons to be of use”². Those who have experienced a threat first-hand, realize that safety awareness and knowledge of self-defense are forms of weaponry.

Some martial artist study with competition in mind and others train for self-defense. A student that is self-confident and mindful of “Not Forgetting Combat,” is prepared but reacts only when the situation demands a call for action. The main goal for training and preparedness is to increase confidence and stamina.

Other forms of fitness may also help to develop speed, agility and strength and should not be overlooked. Serious athletes prepare for games and events which can be a form of combat in sport.

Although adequate training and preparation can help a martial artist defend themselves in physical combat, a true martial artist understands it’s better to try and steer clear of dangerous situations. They avoid a fight, don’t enter into a potentially dangerous situation, and maintain a high sense of awareness of their surroundings.

Safety Tips:

We recommend seeking the advice of a physician first before changing or starting a new fitness program!

Visit selfdefenseforher.com, a website offering basic self-defense techniques. Though the blog addresses women’s self defense, the tips can apply to men as well. A few of the general safety tips are listed below. Thanks to my former Tae Kwon Do instructor Mr. Carlos Mercado for sending me the following information! You can visit his website @ www.MartialArtsKia.com

General Safety Tips

For more safety tips and resources visit www.selfdefenseforher.com

• If you see or sense problems on your way, just change your route and prepare to run or defend yourself.
• Do not wear conspicuous jewelry when you are walking on the streets alone.
• Do not hitchhike, use buses or taxis instead.
• Do not act or look like an easy target – look confident!
• Most “fights” are won before they start. Aggressors will back down if you maintain eye contact and are not intimidated by them.

1. Kim, Tae Yun. Seven Steps to Inner Power. San Rafael, CA: New World Library, 1991. Print. Pg 30.
2. Scott Wilson, William. Miyamoto Musashi: The Book of Five Rings. td. Japan: Kodansha International Ltd., 2002. Print. Pg. 50

“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. A skilled swordsman could strike downward in both directions when fighting attackers from below and an archer had the advantage of moving swiftly on horseback while shooting from a distance. Native American’s selected a War Pony based on their speed, agility, sure-footedness, endurance and dependability. “Native riders realized that their success and their survival depended on the relationship they built with their horses.”² The presence of a rider atop a fast powerfully built horse was an intimidating force; adding to the confusion and ciaos on a battlefield.

This level of skill could not be acquired without first understanding that the horse and rider must become one—just as the Yin and Yang Chinese symbol represents opposites forces interconnected and in balance.

“A warrior’s ability to communicate with his horse is one of the most valuable skills he could develop.”³ As heard animals, a horse needs a leader. The rider must establish this hierarchical relationship by learning to master the equines body language and subtle cues required for it to develop trust as a follower. “Although body language is the primary means for equine communication, horses also use a range of sounds to talk to each other. The most prominent among these are the neigh, nicker, snort, and squeal.”⁴ Our historical relationship with the horse was a vehicle for riders to master a skill, improve communication and improve other types of conduct becoming of a warrior.

The Horsemanship Code in Today’s Society

The well-known fighting systems of the martial arts like Karate, Tae Kwon Do and Aikido have transformed from a military necessity to an art form with “new purposes: physical fitness, spiritual composure, character development, and sport.” http://yalepress.yale.edu/yupbooks/book.asp?isbn=9780300116748

A warrior interested in living the code of the traditional Samurai should also view Horsemanship as a martial art to be mastered. Just as a student of the fighting arts is encouraged to spar against different types of opponents in a self-defense class, a warrior must learn to ride horses of a different size, speed, agility and temperament. “You should have the look of being able to move with that horse in perfect balance with him; you should flow with his movements, and not resist him.”⁵ This level of horsemanship takes courage, discipline and years of practice.

All Warriors are Livelong Students

Everything eventually comes full circle in our lives especially our need to fulfill the passions and dreams we held in our youth. It was intriguing for me to learn that horsemanship was one of the warrior codes for Samurai.  I have always had a lifelong passion for horses. One of my personal goals this past year was to start learning more about Horsemanship.

My grandfather first introduced me to horses when I was a young child and I always admired his connection with these mysterious animals. Though I was around horses most of my life, I never took a formal lesson. Just last year, I had a vivid dream that my grandfather, who died several years back, was sitting at the kitchen table in my childhood home. In this dream, I was an adult. He looked younger than when he died–vibrant and strong. From my heart, I thanked him for introducing me to horses and explained that I have always had a passion to ride. He looked at me lovingly but with seriousness in his tone and said, “Just ride!”

I took the leap this past fall and did what my grandfather in my dream suggested. I contacted a horse farm in Raleigh that offered Western style riding instruction–my personal preference. As I reflect on my first few lessons, I realize that my instructor started with the basics while introducing me to three different horses during each lesson—each one a different size, speed, agility and with a different temperament. He was reinforcing the code. He also wanted me to remember that horses are horses and are therefore unpredictable, so effective communication is essential in becoming a skilled rider.

Historically a true warrior did not use horses for monetary gain but rather as an aid to survival. They were trading and breed in colonial times and the population of different breeds grew in the Americas based on demand; however, the true warrior’s interest in the horse was “in their necessity for maneuvering while heavily armed. For them, horses were substitutes for their own two feet.”⁶

There are certain rules and expectations found in the warrior code that became a consistent part of Samaria practice and teachings. The lessons found in the Code have been passed down five-hundred years, and are consistent with the teachings found in many modern day martial art forms. The handbook “was composed to provide practical and modern instruction for warriors, correcting way-ward tendencies and outlining the personal, social, and professional standards of conduct characteristics of Bushido, or the Way of the Warrior.”⁷ By understanding Horsemanship we can learn to appreciate and incorporate this conduct in different aspects of our daily life.

• The code of horsemanship reinforces “emptying ones cup” in order to learn and master a skill
• Understanding relationships and the importance of communication are critical including non-verbal cues and a heightened awareness
• Seeing the horse as an extension of ourselves and our universe rather than using the horse for monetary gain—it’s not fair to breed and sell a horse without paying close attention to overpopulation and mistreatment
• Understanding our relationship with animals and the natural world around us—many people shelter themselves from the outdoors and fear animal behavior
• Not being afraid to develop a new skill, try new things and explore uncharted territory—at any age or time in your life

1. Cleary, Thomas. Code of the Samurai. Boston, MA: Tuttle Publishing, 1999. Print.
2. Pony Boy, Gawani. Horse, Follow Closely. Laguna Hills, CA: Bow Tie Press, 1998. Print.
3. Ibid
4. Audrey Pavia and Janice Posnikoff, DVM, Horses for Dummies, 2^nd ed. Hoboken, NJ: Wiley Publishing Co. 2005
5. Richard Shrake, Western Horsemanship. Colorado Springs, CO: Western Horseman Inc., 1987. Print
6. Cleary, Thomas. Code of the Samurai. Boston, MA: Tuttle Publishing, 1999. Print.
7. Ibid

Bibliography

Cleary, Thomas. Code of the Samurai. Boston, MA: Tuttle Publishing, 1999. Print.

Pony Boy, Gawani. Horse, Follow Closely. Laguna Hills, CA: Bow Tie Press, 1998. Print.

Pavia, Audrey, and Janice Posnikoff, DVM. Horses for Dummies. Hoboken, NJ: Wiley Publishing Inc., 2005. Print.

Richard Shrake, Western Horsemanship. Colorado Springs, CO: Western Horseman Inc., 1987. Print

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 when they were our age. Even during these tough economic times, many couples and families have lifestyles barely within their financial means. In our neighborhood alone, there are many newly built 6000 plus square foot homes that house only two to three people. Our children are being taught to constantly upgrade— toys, cell phones, video game consoles, laptops, clothes, cars and the list continues to grow and expand. When do we stop buying and start saving!

 

The Bushido code of frugality is an important topic in today’s world. Of course, this code related to warriors that were in public service in comparison to the higher ranked knights of the times, however, there is an important lesson to be learned in modern society about frugality.

 

What’s written about frugality in the translated version of the Bushido code is that “if those of lesser rank imitate those of greater rank, overspending on useless things, since they do not have any surplus yet their cravings are unjustified, no matter how much they economize they can not compensate. Eventually, they will go broke at a complete loss.” ¹

 

Certainly those that can afford these items do have the luxury of spending; however, there are deeper questions to be contemplated. Does the need to spend create happiness? Is the buyer looking to fulfill something that can not be satisfied by spending on material objects? Does all this excess spending cause added waste and needless spending?

 

Researchers have found that low self-esteem and materialism are not just a correlation, but also a causal relationship where low self esteem increases materialism, and materialism can also create low self-esteem.

 

It’s no coincidence that some of the richest people in the world live in modest homes with economy cars. Rather than spending money to look the part these people use frugality to save money and invest in something that will generate a return. Their money is earning money! Being rich means being as financially independent as possible – almost no life events can impact your situation – and being surrounded by the things you care the most about.

 

Many of us worry needlessly about money because our security lies in the things we collect and buy and the image that we portray to others. We were taught to spend our money, charge what we can’t afford and look the part of success. Those living the Bushido should help and encourage one another to save money, not be concerned with what others think about our level of success and teach children about frugality. After all, money is not happiness—compassion and understanding bring happiness.

 

Exercise 1:

 

The next time you’re tempted to buy something new, ask yourself if this is something you need. If not, put the item back on the store display and walk away. As a reward, take the exact amount of money you would have spent on this item and make a deposit of that amount into your savings account, or even a glass jar at home. Watch the money accumulate!

 

Exercise 2:

 

Take stock in how much “stuff” you have and whether you really own these things. Notice how much of this stuff is part of a repayment plan—your personal debt. Start to eliminate unnecessary spending and pay off the credit cards to reduce your debt. Save your money, plan your purchases. When you’ve saved enough money, then buy the item. You’ll actually own your stuff rather than being indebted to a corporation. You’ll feel better about yourself and the purchase in the end.

 

1. Thomas Cleary, Code of the Samurai: A Modern Translation of the Bushido Shosinshu of Taira Shigesuke. Boston, MA: Tuttle Publishing, 1999.

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 clean, uncluttered living space and having more clarity and focus mentally. There is a profound psychological thread that binds all areas of your existence into one distinctive unit. A messy house trashed with useless clutter is an abstract representation of many lives – also muddled with unnecessary debris that needs to be regrouped, set aside, hidden out of sight or, better yet, disposed of completely. Wasted thoughts, wasted energy and wasted time all add up to wasted money.

Create Harmony in Your Living Space

 Part of the Zen philosophy includes letting go of materialism and not being attached to things, and to focus on self-reliance. The Book of the Five Rings by Miyamoto Musashi talks about “The Way of Walking Alone”, and lists several steps to maintain this perspective including “not carrying antiques handed down from generation to generation”. Though I love history and do enjoy hanging on to memorabilia, additional clutter was taking up to much of my space and time.

When it comes to getting organized, we’re our own worst enemies. We keep things because we persuade ourselves we’ll need them—even if we haven’t used them in five years and don’t quite know where we’ve put them. There seems to be a security factor in just knowing they’re around… somewhere.

What a great metaphor this is for mental hoarding. We hang on to habits we learn from our parents and grandparents, and much of our negative self-talk is learned from internalizing the comments of other people in our life. Certainly, it’s important to honor your parents and feel a sense of pride in your roots but self-reliance means we must become independent and confident with ourselves and what we represent. Security is not found in a dusty wooden chest tucked away in the corner of the attic, harmony is found when the chest is emptied of it’s contents and the air can flow freely through the inside of the box. By cleaning our external world of junk, we are able to cleanse our internal world (meaning our cluttered minds) and let go of the mental junk.  In any event, the day I decided to get rid of my “stuff” was an experience that I’ll never forget.

Japanese Clean

I’ve always been drawn toward Japanese culture because if it’s simplicity. The Japanese home is spacious and simple with objects and furniture that have a purpose rather than cluttering space. There’s a focus on balancing Yin and Yang, which is something we should pay careful attention to in all aspects of our lives. To learn more about Japanese living and interior design, check out Wade Robbins Ezine article. Japanese style home décor seems to incorporate a few artistic accents and is much more spacious than American style homes. Americans seem to havean attachment to memorabilia and collectibles to a point that we save way too much. It’s important to understand systems for maintaining cleanliness like the 5S system. The 5s philosophy focuses on effective workplace organization and standardized work procedures. It is based on five Japanese words that begin with S.There’s no reason why this workspace system can’t be applied to our living space at home. The Japanese words and there English versions include, Seiri (Sort), Seiton (Set in Order), Seiso (Shine), Seiketsu (Standardize), and Shitsuki (Sustain).

The 5S system helped me to maintain an organized clutter free home and consequently develop a freer more focused mind.

 

A spacious and clean home is not only visually aesthetic but also translates to a harmonious mind and spirit.

 

Begin to Simplify Your Life

Exercise: Clean your Home to a Level of  Japanese Clean

Start with one room and in one section at a time, so you don’t become overwhelmed. For instance, the top of a bureau or a closet are a great starting point. Take a large trash bag and fill the bag with anything that you have not used in more than six months. Survey the surface areas for memorabilia that’s taking up too much space. Is the closet filled with boxes that you haven’t opened for over a year? Do you know what’s in the boxes? Have you missed anything or did you forget you owned these items? Do you have a pile of old shoes you’ll never were again sitting in the dark corner of the closet?

Pick-up one item or piece of clothing from your closet and ask yourself if you really need this object to make you feel good. Does it have a purpose? I made a conscious effort to try and keep things that only have a purpose.  When our space is open and free of material objects that have no purpose or true meaning, we have fewer distractions and find a renewed energy.

 

 

“Gi”

Be acutely honest
throughout your dealings
with all people. Believe
in justice, not from other
people, but from yourself.
To the true warrior,
all points of view are deeply considered regarding
honesty, justice
and integrity.

Warriors make a full commitment to their decisions.

The reason why Integrity is the number one virtue is because it’s who you are and what you represent. Everyone you meet judges you on your integrity. Sadly, this is the number one virtue that is the most compromised in today’s society.

 

Has anyone ever made a promise to you, but never fulfilled the promise? I’ve had people say they’ll call me back yet they never follow-up. Others have shown up 30 minutes late for an appointment without even calling–if they show up at all. How many New Year’s resolutions are distant memories by January 31^st? What kind of impression do you hold of those individuals? You probably don’t respect them at all.

 

What is Integrity?

 

Integrity, in it’s simplest and purest form, is about living up to your commitments. The Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy defines commitment as:

 

“‘Commitment’ is used as a broad umbrella term covering many different kinds of intentions, promises, convictions and relationships of trust and expectation.”

 

In other words, your personal integrity is defined by following through with what you tell people you’ll do. I know that this sounds simple enough, but this can actually be difficult in today’s society for many reasons.

 

Four Reasons Why People Don’t Maintain a High Level of Integrity

 

1. People over-commit: Life today is moving at a pace far greater than any other time in our history. In order to keep up, many people are forced to take on more than they can possibly handle. People can’t live up to these expectations because they are over extended.
2. It requires discipline: A lack of discipline will be a subject that will be covered in subsequent blogs. Simply stated having discipline is hard work. You have to plan, remember all of your commitments, and do everything in your power to deliver on the expectations you set based on your commitments’. For many, it is just too much effort.
3. People were never taught: Many people were never educated by their parents or in school about the significance of maintaining their integrity or the importance of being trustworthy. They have a “what’s in it for me” attitude and don’t have a concept of how their actions will impact others.
4. Some people just don’t care: These individuals are out for themselves and you rank a distant second. This type of person will make commitments at the drop of a hat, fully knowing they never intend on living up to them. They are the “excuse” kings and queens. They will always have some reason why they couldn’t follow through. In addition, they usually have someone or something other than themselves to blame. You should avoid these people and refuse to deal with them. Your life will be a lot less frustrating!

 

Integrity Has Its Rewards

 

There is no arena where having a high level of integrity is more appreciated than in the workplace. Employees who meet deadlines, show up on time, follow through on all their commitments, and are trustworthy are the ones who move up the ladder with greater ease. Employers trust them with their most important projects and responsibilities. The result is that the employee is of higher value and, therefore, is paid a higher wage.

 

Personal Action Items

 

1. Take a moment to look at some areas where having a higher level of integrity would benefit you in your life. Resolve to maintain the highest amount of integrity in all aspects of your life.
2. Bring this high level on integrity to where you work. Perform your current tasks and responsibilities in a diligent, timely manner. Volunteer for the biggest, most high profile projects if you can. Be known as the person who gets things done. However, make sure that you DO NOT OVER COMMIT!
3. From this day forward, strive everyday to:
   1. Always be on time. (If you’re not 15 minutes early, you’re already late!)
   2. Live up to all of your commitments. (If you know you cannot keep a commitment, don’t make it.)
   3. Be trustworthy. (Recognize when people are counting on you. Live up to those expectations.)

By spending time in the past or future we are depriving ourselves of the riches of life. Though most people want to benefit from being immersed in the present, this practice requires discipline. It requires training our minds to be more focused.

 

Natural Thought Patterns

 

Have you ever noticed that your mind focuses more on the past or future rather than what’s happening in that moment? Do you have a tendency to rehash something you’ve said or done in the past by questioning your actions when it’s too late? Do you find yourself worrying about things like the outcome of a job interview or whether you’ll have enough money to pay the bills? It’s natural to have these thoughts and to plan accordingly, but a real waste of energy to dwell on what’s out of your control.

 

“True mastery can be gained

By letting things go their own way.

It can’t be gained by interfering.”

Tao Te Ching

 

Goals help us to continually grow and improve but we have to trust in universal energy and that the outcome will not always be what we expect. It’s important to learn from the past and focus on events as personal growth experience rather mistakes. The words mistake” or “error have a negative connotation. Mel Schwartz discusses the fears people have of making mistakes or errors in his article:

 

http://www.melschwartz.com/articles/What%20is%20a%20Mistake.pdf

 

It’s interesting to read that the Wikipedia definition of the word error states that an error occurs when someone is distracted by something else. By living in the moment we are disciplining ourselves to avoid distractions; however, these discretions are a natural part of our human nature and personal growth. Therefore living in the moment is an ongoing practice.

 

A Restless Mind

 

Half listening is not living in the moment. We will miss important information and the essence of a conversation if we give in to a restless mind. Children are great at knowing when parents are half listening, and it’s critical to show them and others that we are excited about sharing. This does not mean that we should allow someone else to control a conversation. Part of our personal development is to be forthright and honest with others.

 

One of the reasons our thoughts drift frequently is because of our preoccupation with worry and fear. “Most people spend their days in internal monologues of worry, future plans, and self-criticism.”¹ Society plays on our fears through news, advertisements and media. “Throughout history, large sections of society have come to share certain fears, creating a level of concern far out of proportion with the actual threat. Sociologists call such fears “moral panics.”

 

It is not until we are able to face our fears with courage and honesty that we will learn to understand what it really means to live right now. It is at this moment that we feel a deep satisfaction and appreciation for the people in our lives and what we see, hear, smell, feel and taste in the moment. We feel a deeper level of compassion for the world and are thankful for life—and we learn to live based on our spiritual beliefs and faith.

 

Tips for Living in the Moment

 

Nature Walks

Ever find yourself on a walk in the woods and your mind is obsessing on a problem that occurred that day. Take a walk in the woods and let yourself experience what’s around you. Listen to the crack of twigs under foot, the rich aroma of the pine sap, or the sounds of a hawk screeching from a nearby tree top. Part of the discipline is to recognize when the mind is restless and then start living in the moment.

 

Conversations

Promise to offer someone your undivided attention in a conversation. When we stay focused in the moment we can observe their body language and the tone and words being conveyed. Our observations will help us to understand the person more deeply and provide us with a sense of rhythm in the language.

 

Look, and it can be seen.

Listen, and it can be heard.

Reach, and it can be grasped.

Tao Te Ching

 

 

If someone is controlling the conversation, then find the right time to excuse yourself based on the rhythm of the dialogue. They will need to take a breath—even if it’s a short gasp.

 

“…To taste life in every breath, every cup of tea…

…That is the way of the warrior. That is Bushido.”

-Katsumodo

From The Last Samurai

What Does it Mean to Be a Warrior?

To be a warrior- broadly defined is someone engaged in struggle or conflict or someone seen as a champion.  In this time in our society, many people are experiencing some sort of difficulty or conflict. When Donald Trump can’t get a loan from a bank, times are tough all around! Unemployment increased significantly in 2009, we heard about the suffering housing market including information like  1 in 4 homes face foreclosure. Depending on who did the polling, 50 to 80% of Americans feel that they have an unhealthy level of stress. Let’s face it, in today’s society many of us are warriors in a survival mode and we need to become the champions of our own lives. We need to support one another through tough times and take action toward a better future.

Not only is life tough for many economically and financially, but as a nation we are unhealthier than we’ve been in decades. A University of Michigan study found that only three percent of Americans maintain a healthy lifestyle. The federal government has released a study saying 34% of Americans are obese. Not just overweight, but obese! That translates to more that one in three people. Other countries face similar problems but there are many cultures that promote healthier lifestyles and have a much lower rate of obesity and health conditions.  They must be doing something right!

Japan is on the list of one of the world’s healthiest countries.  Diets rich in fish, rice, and seaweed have long kept heart disease and cancer in Japan in check. Various fitness crazes and government-sponsored pre-work workouts have helped generations of Japanese maintain trim physiques, and today’s tech junkies have a little help of their own: Japan’s largest mobile telephone carrier just unveiled a “Fitness Phone” that measures daily activity.

Today’s society has become dependent on technology including spending hours passively watching the television or playing video games. Many children spend an unhealthy amount of time mesmerized by these forms of technology, because parents are too busy working long hours to make ends meet while trying to keep-up with household demands. We are a population of consumers, controlled by large corporations and made to feel that the only way we can find satisfaction in our lives is by spending our hard earned money buying more things. We have allowed our economy to become so unbalanced that we have to bail out “Too Big to Fail” corporations that have built empires on a house of cards. We’ve witnessed these companies paying out huge bonuses with no accountability.

What is happening to our integrity, honor and our honesty? What happened to the time when people stood up for values with valor and courage? When the right thing was to take responsibility for our actions.

-This brings me to why we have decided to write about this topic-

What is a “The Warrior’s Way of Life”?

The Warrior’s Way of Life is based on the Japanese code of conduct known as Bushido, which translated means, “Way of the Warrior”. It is the set of principles, practices, and values of the Samurai of feudal Japan.

Seven key virtues outlined the Bushido Code:

1. 1. “Gi” -Integrity
   2. “Yu” -Valor and Courage
   3. “Jin” -Compassion
   4. “Rei” -Respect
   5. “Makoto” -Honesty and Sincerity
   6. “Meiyo” -Honor
   7. “Chungi” -Duty and Loyalty

These virtues guided the warriors through all aspects of their lives. The Samurai believed that living the Bushido was the highest form of existence– path to living properly.

By applying this code to our daily lives, Jillian and I have found clarity of purpose, a newfound love for life, peace of mind, reduced stress and the inner strength to face and overcome many of the challenges that are a natural part of life.

Topics Covered in this Blog

• The Bushido Code
• Zen and Meditation
• Universal Energy
• Health, Weight, Diet and Fitness
• The Martial Arts
• Yoga
• Reiki

Jillian and I would like to welcome you to The Warrior’s Way of Life blog. We would greatly appreciate your opinion and feedback and welcome guest authors, poets or bloggers that feel strongly about contributing to this site, including book recommendations and or healthy recipes to share. A monthly newsletter will be distributed to subscribers, and we look forward to your participation. Please feel free to leave a comment or ask questions.

Thank you–Marcus