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

“…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