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I was wrong

My banner is wrong. Our world does need warriors.

Shortly after changing the banner of this site (as described in the link above) I started training in aiki-juijitsu. It is the art Samurai warriors used to use (though it is (necessarily) a bit modernized). One aspect of the art is training in Ken jutsu (sword fighting). It is a very cool thing to learn, though it has very little practical application. Or doesn’t it?

Virtue of the Sword is a great article written by my instructor’s instructor on why we bother training in warrior arts, and why warriors are still needed in society. It is an article on manhood and the need for virtues such as courage, honor, bravery, courtesy, etc. Some highlights:

The reason we are called to cultivate classical warrior skills and virtues is out of a feeling of duty to the whole of society. We prepare ourselves for those times when we may be called upon to protect and defend. Any other reason is selfish and ultimately self-destructive. Being tough and a good fighter is not in and of itself noble. For me, training in kenjutsu and related military arts prepares me to be a good citizen. It enables me to be of assistance when it is necessary to protect and defend. It teaches me self-discipline that I may moderate my behavior. I learn perseverance and courage in the face of difficulty so that I am not easily deterred. All of this adds up to the courage to live life not just for oneself but also for others.
When faced with a woman or child in a situation in which they are vulnerable, there are two types of men: those who would offer succor and aid, and those who would prey upon them. And in modern society, there is another loathsome breed who would totally ignore their plight!
The warrior protects and defends because he realizes the value of others. He knows that they are essential to society and, in his gift of service, recognizes and values theirs.
Showing courtesy is indicative of inner strength and security as a male. Courtesy is the lubricant of a culture, and should be the hallmark of the warrior. No situation is made worse by the exercise of courtesy and many situations are made the better for it. I enjoy showing courtesy towards women in the many ways that are available. When I hold a door open for a woman or help her carry an object, it is not that I think that she is not capable of doing it for herself. I do it in recognition of her intrinsic value to society and to me.

I could quote more. Read the article… beautiful stuff.

This entry was posted on Thursday, April 22nd, 2004 at 11:39 amand is filed under Matt's External Brain. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Both comments and pings are currently closed.

4 Responses to “I was wrong”

  1. jones said on: April 22nd, 2004 at 2:59 pm

    I may be wrong, but I think that the samuri’s started out as servants. That is, they did nothing for themselves, and served only their masters/warlords/kings(?). I know thinking of myself as a warrior is much more appealing that thinking of myself as a servant, so for me, thinking of myself as a warrior before a servant would be potentially harmful. Maybe warrior-servant.

    Then again, it’s nice to know someone is training in the military arts. Some BIG. Matt’s big…

    …then again, wasn’t Bruce Lee a little guy?

  2. j said on: April 22nd, 2004 at 3:01 pm

    I may be wrong, but I think that the samuri’s started out as servants. That is, they did nothing for themselves, and served only their masters/warlords/kings(?). I know thinking of myself as a warrior is much more appealing that thinking of myself as a servant, so for me, thinking of myself as a warrior before a servant would be potentially harmful. Maybe warrior-servant.

    Then again, it’s nice to know someone is training in the military arts. Someone BIG. Matt’s big…then again, wasn’t Bruce Lee a little guy?

    Keeping fighting the good fight!

  3. matt said on: April 23rd, 2004 at 3:34 am

    Samurai is from the japanese word for servants. Very interesting people/culture. Everything they did they did for their Lord. I really like a lot of the ideas. Of course, everything that isn’t truth falls short…

    Bruce Lee was a little guy, as were most samurai (japanese were a small people…)

  4. Different Dan said on: May 5th, 2004 at 3:45 pm

    Hi Matt,
    I attended a speech today on leadership by Packers Coach Mike Sherman. His topic was “Instilling Leadershiup, Character and Values … a Business Perspective.” It was sort of warriorish and thought you and others might benefit from it.

       Here are some of his thoughts:

    Integrity and success are measured in every aspect of life. You can’t be considered a success if you are only successful in business but a failure at home.

       To be a better man:
   -- Speak the truth. He has a 30-second rule for his subordinates. They have to explain their point in 30 seconds or less. "Cut through the B.S. and tell me what you think."
   -- Take responsibility. If someone under you messes up, it's still your responsibility.
   -- Keep learning. "Once you think you have it figured out, you don't."
   -- Build relationships. 'When the Lord calls you home, and you're on your death bed, how you've touched people with your life is all that will really matter." Teddy Roosevelt said, "The key element to success is the ability to get along with people." He said he occasionally plays a game with himself -- to live today as if it was the last day of his life. He said when he does that, he finds that he tends to use his time that day to build, renew or cement relationships.
   -- Live in the present. Don't hang onto the past. When you're with your wife, leave the office at the office. Live in the present, learn from the past, plan for the future.
   -- Pay attention to detail. Don't let things accumulate. Stay on task. He shared an anecdote of flying over the Statue of Liberty when he was a child. The thought struck him, as they flew over Lady Liberty's crown, that when the statue was made, airplanes hadn't been invented. The sculptor had no idea anyone would ever fly over the statue and see the top of her crown, yet he devoted as much care and planning to it as he did to the rest of the sculpture.
   -- Give more than you take. He said he always talks with young players, most of them having just signed multi-million-dollar deals, that they should strive to always give back. For instance, when they are interviewed by the press, they should always try to talk about their teammates, the organization, their coaches and not about themselves.
   -- Don't run from conflict or adversity. Face it head on and deal with it.
   -- Hold onto your roots. It will help keep you humble.
   -- Be passionate.
   -- Take risks.
   -- Seek spiritual growth. Crystallize in your mind who you are and write it down. Look at it every day. Ask yourself, Who do you want to be?, not, What do you want to be? If you know who you are, the What will work itself out. Adversity is inevitable in striving to be what you want to be. But if you don't know who you are when adversity occurs, it will drag you down.