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Wisdom of the Elders / Keep to the path

« Last post by Inu on January 03, 2013, 08:37:31 pm »

Never separate yourself from the Way of the Warrior. Miyamoto Musashi

When one reads this statement written by Musashi so many years ago, the first thought is Musashi is just trying to say how great it is to be a warrior, but this statem

ent takes on a deeper meaning once you really understand the way of the warrior. The way of the warrior should be the life that everyone lives. It is the way

that human beings were meant to live. It means much more than just training physically in a martial art.

Departing from the way of the warrior is departing from the way of character, honor, and integrity. It is abandoning the spiritual connection which the warrior has with his Maker. Leaving this path means discarding your code of ethics and your sense of right and wrong. For those who separate from the way of the warrior, filial duty is no longer a priority in their lives. Self-discipline and self-reliance goes by the wayside.

Why would anyone want to separate from the way of the warrior, but then again, why doesn’t everyone live the warrior lifestyle? The answer is that they do not have a true understanding of the benefits of this lifestyle. All they can see is the discipline that it takes to walk this path. They are shortsighted, not being able to see past their instant gratification.

Warriors know that the training, discipline, and work it takes to live this lifestyle are worth it. They know that this lifestyle is not just something that they do, but is something that they are. You cannot separate yourself from something you are and live a fulfilled life. Stay on the path.

Bohdi Sanders ~ (From the book, WARRIOR: The Way of Warriorhood, page 73)

You can find WARRIOR: The Way of Warriorhood and all my other books and teachings at http://thewisdomwarrior.com/books-by-bohdi-sanders/ or on Amazon.com. Be sure to check out MODERN BUSHIDO and the WARRIOR WISDOM SERIES - they are great books for guidance on the warrior lifestyle!

Wisdom of the Elders / A clear picture

« Last post by Inu on January 03, 2013, 08:36:57 pm »

Hear all sides and you will be enlightened. Hear one side, and you will be in the dark.

People have a tendency to spin the fact in a way that is beneficial for themselves. Even if someone is trying to be completely honest, many their recollection of a specific incident can be skewed by many things such as fear, anger, adrenalin, point of view, beliefs, etc. Therefore, it is best to hear all sides of a story before you decide what is true.

Think of it this way, a silver dollar is one single coin, but if you have two different people describe that silver dollar to you, you may get two different descriptions, depending on which side of the coin the person is looking at when they describe it. Although the silver dollar is one thing, it has two completely different sides and you have to understand both sides to completely understand what a silver dollar looks like. Don't act rashly without sufficient information! Bohdi Sanders

To see more teachings, articles, books by Bohdi Sanders, or to order Warrior Wisdom or Modern Bushido: Living a Life of Excellence, please visit http://thewisdomwarrior.com/books-by-bohdi-sanders/ or http://www.amazon.com/dp/1937884066

Wisdom of the Elders / Treasure each moment

« Last post by Inu on January 03, 2013, 08:36:25 pm »

Every moment of life is the last. Basho

This is a profound quote by Basho, the 17th century Japanese poet. All you have is the present moment and when that moment is gone, there is no getting it back, it is gone forever. Things are constantly changing, you will never relive this moment in time.

Keep in mind that life is very short and fleeting. In a flash you will find yourself in an older body, not able to do what you used to be able to do. Don’t waste the present moment. Train as if you were going to fight for your life tomorrow. Enjoy life now. Live your life; don’t just go through the motions.

The samurai warriors spent time contemplating their own death. This process allowed them to continuously remember that life is precious and unpredictable. They never knew when they would be required to lay down their life.

By contemplating death, the samurai warrior realized the importance of living every moment to the fullest. The samurai’s daimyo, his feudal lord, could command the samurai to commit suicide at anytime. He knew that every moment of life had to be lived as if it were his last.

Realize that if you waste this moment in time, it is gone. You can’t decide that you don’t feel like using this moment right now and put it on the shelf for later.

You either use it or you lose it. Use the time which you have been blessed with, and make the most out of every day. This is the way of the warrior. This is Bushido. Bohdi Sanders (from Warrior Wisdom: Ageless Wisdom for the Modern Warrior, page 124).

Wisdom of the Elders / Regret

« Last post by Inu on January 03, 2013, 08:35:26 pm »

Regret will not change the past. Worry will not change the future.

We have all done things which we wish we wouldn't have done. When this happens, deal with it, make amends if needed, and move on. Wallowing in regret does you no good. After you have taken the actions that you need to take to correct your action, learn from your mistake and continue to focus on living life as it should be lived. Regret will change nothing.

Along the same lines, just as regret will not change the past, worry will not change the future. Plan things out the best you can, but don't spend time worrying about the outcome. Simply be as prepared as possible, do the best you can, and deal with what may come when it comes.

Regret and worry are two time wasters that weigh on your mind and drag your energy down. Resist the temptation to let these two thieves get a foothold in your mind. Bohdi Sanders ~

The Way of the Warrior / Re: Here's a question to get us all started.

« Last post by Inu on January 03, 2013, 08:34:10 pm »

I think that can be a tricky situation. I do not think getting involved in a shouting or a shoving match is really necessary. However, those situations can escalate quickly. The part of this scenario that gets my haunches up is that there is a young child nearby. If the parents are engaged in a heated situation together there is nobody watching out for the welfare of the child.

I think my course in this situation, just because of the child, would be to observe unobtrusively from a safe distance, keeping on eye on the safety of the child. I wouldnt actually intervene unless the situation escalated and someone was in actual danger of being hurt. However, due to the presence of the child, I would probably bring to situation to the awareness of the store manager or store security. If at any time the child was in risk of immediate danger I would intervene instantly.

Just my two cents,

Inu
--

All the world is my Dojo,

Maggi Inu Stephens

The Way of the Warrior / Re: The good, the bad and the nonexistent.

« Last post by Inu on January 03, 2013, 08:33:31 pm »

I think the great Author Bohdi Sanders said it best when he told me that if I want more peace in my life I should," Realize that things do not have to be about positive or negative, It can be about simply observing life and relating it to ourselves."

I am working on following his advice, as he was the second to give said advice to me this month. Just after one day I already realize that how I define things in terms of good and bad do impact my stress level a great deal. I am realizing that things are neither good or bad. It is a human quality to try to quantify things into compartments and label them with concepts that we can both understand and control. However, I am now leaning toward the belief that good and bad are relative and things really have to be neither. There are two things about " things"; Things just are,,,,and things will change.

Inu

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All the world is my Dojo,

Maggi Inu Stephens

General Discussion / Re: New Years Resolutions

« Last post by Inu on January 03, 2013, 08:32:13 pm »

Since I asked the double edged question I will be the first to " swallow the sword" so to speak:

New Years reolution, is to continue being resolved to make the changes neededed in my life everyday; always aspiring to be the me that I know I can be. I will continue to walk in the gifts my creator has blessed me with, grow in strength, learn from experiences, and roll with the punches. I will make mistakes and learn from them. I will observe the world around me and take lessons as they come. I will change. I will grow. I will evolve.....Evolution is what keeps us alive.My resolution, is to continue growing, changing, learning, and living each day to its fullest....and finding ways to increase the capacity of " full".

--

All the world is my Dojo,

Maggi Inu Stephens

General Discussion / New Years Resolutions

« Last post by Inu on January 03, 2013, 08:31:39 pm »

Call me a pessimist if you like. I find it truley ridiculous that people feel the need to wait for a new year in order to make changes they know they need to make. If our life needs a change, it is up to us to make it. I can see waiting for a new week, or maybe a new month if it is close....but a year. I think the reasons that New Years resolutions nearly always fail is this : If that resolution was honestly important enough to us to do the required work to change something, then we wouldnt wait a year to start. In my opinion, waiting for the New Year to begin is just a premedidated excuse to not start and to ultimately fail. With such a minimal amount of desire and drive to make changes, that you are willing to wait for a specific day...They are bound to fail.

So now that I have told you how ridiculous I think New Years resolutions are, I ask you this:

What is your New Years Resolution for 2013?

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All the world is my Dojo,

Maggi Inu Stephens

General Discussion / Re: Please introduce yourself

« Last post by Inu on January 03, 2013, 08:30:03 pm »

I am Maggi, or Inu! I am 4th Kyu in Kata Sei Do. I have been training since early Summer 2010, and Karate has changed and saved my life. I look forward to getting to know everyone on our forum, and the enriching conversations that will ensue.

Osu!

--

All the world is my Dojo,

Maggi Inu Stephens

General Discussion / Please introduce yourself

« Last post by Inu on January 03, 2013, 08:21:35 pm »

Please be sure to introduce yourself, before posting in the forums. This is a great place to discuss all things Martial Arts. Remember we all have different outlooks, opinions, and experience. We welcome everyone to share thier insight and thoughts. Please remember we can express different opinions, yet remain respectful to other members. Courtesy is the cornerstone of a peaceful community! No flaming, inappropriate language, crude jokes, name calling, or disrespect will be tolerated. It is fine to debate an issue, not one another!!!

Osu!

Inu
--

All the world is my Dojo,

Maggi Inu Stephens