May 24
The Warrior’s Way of Life
“…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?
Bushido
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:
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- “Gi” -Integrity
- “Yu” -Valor and Courage
- “Jin” -Compassion
- “Rei” -Respect
- “Makoto” -Honesty and Sincerity
- “Meiyo” -Honor
- “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
June 4th, 2009 at 1:01 AM
lol i think you have chosen a hard path to walk “katsujinken” is a hard path to fallow friend but i wish you luck all the same
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Marcus Thompson
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June 5th, 2009 at 11:48 AM
I agree that the “Way of the Warrior” is not an easy path to follow Fang. However, it is a path of honor and integrity. I have found that I enjoy life much more than I did prior to following the Bushido. The Samurai always kept their death in the forefront of their minds and that helped them to appreciate the time they had on this earth to the fullest.
It is a life of discipline and perseverance, but it is a very rewarding life as well.
Marcus
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June 4th, 2009 at 7:02 AM
Fantastic choice of topics!
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Marcus Thompson
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June 5th, 2009 at 10:42 AM
Thank you! It’s very nice to be appreciated. Please feel free to come back anytime!
Marcus
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June 22nd, 2009 at 8:50 AM
[...] lives this type of lifestyle pays the toll through poor heath. As I mentioned in my previous post, The Warrior’s Way of Life, one in three Americans are obese. Another study by the National Institute of Health shows that 65% [...]
September 14th, 2009 at 10:59 PM
I saw that you posted on my main blog, The Barbarian Scholar, about Tatsutora’s new book on Bushido. It really is a great work, very simple and straightforward. What’s more, Tatsu decided to publish it under a creative commons license, which means that as long as you are not using it for profit, you can quote him and use his material so long as you attribute it to him. I hope you’ll also look at my blog about Bushido, Fu Rin Ka Zan, which is at http://furinkazanblog.blogspot.com. Tatsutora collaborated with me on a few of the posts while he was working on his book, so it’s part him and part me in some places.
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November 28th, 2009 at 3:31 AM
I think some who are like that usually the cause is low self esteem. They think that the community won’t accept them for who they are that is why the tend to stay at their homes and eat their way out and I guess the media has influenced this young generation today although some parents try to educate their children but the problem is the peers that they belong to who are neglected or their parents doesn’t put too much attention to them.
Visions
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December 2nd, 2009 at 6:42 AM
I just stumbled across your site. I too have an interest in “Warriorship”. My definition differs somewhat from the more “self-help”/”new age” definition.
While I think that it’s possible and advantageous to follow the “warriors way” that there is a difference between “Being a Warrior” and Training/Living LIKE a warrior.
In my definition a “Warrior” has to go out an FIGHT or at least risk something in service to his/her community, nation or tribe. Soldiers, Firemen, Police, even peace corps members and medics who go into harms way to assist others qualify in my definition.
Martial Artists, meditators, athletes, etc. can all follow the “Warriors Way” but don’t quite meet the threshold of being “Warriors” IMO. Training/playing isnt combat.
Of course there are no “Warrior Definition Police” out there so this is simply my take on the subject.
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December 24th, 2009 at 1:39 AM
Very great and clearly text
Thanks for sharing
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January 9th, 2010 at 2:00 AM
Very interesting. I came across your blog by accident. I want to read more on the subject.
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Marcus Thompson
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January 10th, 2010 at 11:00 PM
Thanks Joann! Some of my best finds have happened by accident. We hope you come back often to learn more about a modern Bushido lifestyle. May I also suggest signing up for our newsletter. It provides news, upcomming events and information not provided in our regular posts.
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January 11th, 2010 at 11:44 AM
I too accidentally stumbled upon your post. I really liked the topic that you have discussed here. Very interesting. I too will be certainly reading more about this subject
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Marcus Thompson
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January 11th, 2010 at 11:55 AM
Thanks and welcome to The Warrior’s Way of Life!
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January 19th, 2010 at 2:34 PM
This is very interesting and touches many of us in different ways. Which leads to my point.
There is no one rule that encompasses all. Humans are the same in many ways: two arms, two
legs, etc. However, our minds and perceptions can be as different as each grain of sand on a
beach. How should the average person perceive/view this ideal so that each one of us can
make it work for him/her? Sorry for not making it easy…. Thanks
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March 10th, 2010 at 2:36 PM
I don’t know how I landed here but after reading the post do feel that I was sent out here. A great post to know about a warriors way of life.
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April 12th, 2010 at 1:30 PM
I think being strong on both the inside and the oustide is a good gauge of a warrior and what they stand for.
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