Bushido Code-The Warrior's Way of Life

 Identifying with the Hero

Imagine yourself sitting in front of a big screen TV with surround sound booming on a couch so comfortable that it feels as if your body is sinking into a cloud. Buttered popcorn coats your fingertips with each swallow, and you grab another handful from the big bowl while absorbed in the action of your favorite movie. Who is your favorite character and what personality traits do you admire the most? If everything is harmonious with this character, can you relate? 

Have you watched the movie The Last Samurai? Tom Cruise plays the character Captain Nathan Algren. This character was someone that I could relate to because he was not perfect but his soul held the code of the warrior. I felt his pain while watching this heroic army captain face his inner fears and overcome alcoholism to find his true warrior spirit among the Samurai of Japan. He never gave up, never caved-in.

For most people their favorite character has a strong and weak side to their personality-they are human! We discover that this character accepts his weakness and faces challenge with the highest level of courage. We relate to his inner turmoil and feel his pain. From the comfort and security of your home, you see he is not perfect-his face covered with dirt and blood, he has torn clothes, and he looks deep inside himself to find the courage and faith to persevere.

There are technological advancements today that challenge us to increase the speed of communication and getting a job done. We have become so dependent on technology that we demand results and have a reduced tolerance for slow people. Our daily lives are filled with stimulation and we seek fulfillment from computers, cell phones, and video games and spend less time reading books. Children are becoming lazy and impatient and lack respect for adults. We watch the successes of other professional athletes and performers rather than focus on achieving our own success. It seems safer to stay behind the four walls of our living room where there are no real threats. It seems safer to watch our heros rather than become a hero. Commercials bombard our minds with daily messages that show images of cool cars and exotic vacations. We hear and see repeatedly that we need to buy new things constantly in order to be fulfilled--the latest and greatest technology. Our employers expect so much of our time that we are confused about who we really are and what we represent. Our ethics are being challenged because we feel the pressure to compete against people rather than work toward camaraderie-a true brotherhood. 

The movie you were watching on your high defenition TV is now over and the credits scroll down the screen. You look at the bottom of the bowl that sits on your lap to see a few lone kernels stuck in a layer of hardened butter. You are full and your butt hurts from having spent so much time in front of the television. You feel empowered to fight the world but are not sure how or why. Why are you so draw to this character and not the person who snaps his fingers and everything falls into place?

Look deep inside yourself because you want to be this character. I desire to be this character. Instinctively we know we are this character. This character represents the Warrior and his way of life.

We can all be this character if we understand his passion and his path-the Warrior’s Way of Life. The samurai were true warriors and followed the Bushido Code. We desire to offer this blog to those who want to achieve goodwill and integrity and learn to live by the code. People who want to live a more ethical and fulfilling life. Life is a journey that will test our courage and perseverance. By developing compassion and a desire to do what is right--we can all enjoy the journey together.