Way Of The Samurai

Nature in the world is like a river flowing home to the sea. In seeking the essence of the way, one should calm the mind and penetrate to the depths. Silently wander within ourselves and clearly see the origin of all things. We are all born from a quiet sleep and we learn to live with a heart to a calm awakening. Wherever we are, we are one with the earth and one with the sun and the stars we see, for we are one with everything as everything is part of us. We already have everything we need. This is who we really are. We are just one moment away from being fully awake to life.

The Bushido consists of seven virtues. These virtues are the heart and soul of the Samurai. These virtues are: 清廉 (Integrity), 尊敬 (Respect), 勇気 (Courage), 名誉 (Honour), 同情 (Compassion), 正直 (Honesty), 忠義 (Loyalty). The word Samurai, (侍) means "to serve". To truly understand the Way Of The Samurai, you must understand the Bushido. 武士道

清廉 - Integrity is a good beginning for the warrior’s code of ethics, before applying any other moral virtue. Everything starts with your integrity, it is the moral fiber that holds all the other pieces together. Without integrity, there is only disintegration. The degree to which we live with integrity is reflected in anything we say and do. People around us can sense our integrity, even though it is an inner trait. It is for ones own growth as a spiritual being. Integrity gives us the discernment in thought, speech, and in action.

尊敬 - Respect in the world of the samurai can be seen as a little bit parallel to compassion, in the sense that it stems from a sympathetic regard for the feelings of others. In its highest form politeness approaches love. To respect others you need to first respect and value yourself. To be able to respect the feelings and opinions of others and use politeness to harmoniously keep connections meaningful is an important virtue and skill to have.

勇気 - Courage is one of the first associations we make with warriors, both those in battle and those in spirit. To live life completely, one must have courage. It is the courage that we summon in our heart when we step out into the world and take action, even though we still have some fears and uncertainty about it. It is that energy that initiates a lot of changes that takes us far and forward on our path.

名誉 - Honour is one of the highest virtues because it captivates and motivates the heart of the warrior to fight with valour and to summon up the courage from the heart. Honour is a goal as much as it is a way of being, as it is the spirit warrior’s way of life. Warriors have only one judge of honour and character, and this is themselves. The decisions one makes and how these decisions are carried out is a reflection of whom one truly is.

同情 - Compassion is a very noble virtue and holds up high in importance and value. It centers us in the power of the heart space, which is the source of so many other beautiful qualities and feelings such as understanding, benevolence, sympathy, love and empathy. Without nurturing compassion, you can’t sail very far in the great ocean of life, for you are surrounded by so many sentient beings that are both a reflection of you and coming out from the same source as yourself.

正直 - Honesty is the beauty of the warrior. It is both the sword, the shield and the armor. Always stay firm in your truth and speak and express it with courage. Truth is the cornerstone of any human interaction, it is the foundation of how we view the world and how we are viewed by it. The choice to represent oneself or situation truthfully may initially be painful but those momentary feelings will be nothing compared to the pain that could be caused down the line when one is living a lie, to themselves and to others.

忠義 - Loyalty is about placing your feeling, your efforts, commitments and resolutions where it matters most for your own freedom and spiritual development, and those of others. It is rooted in the practice of being loyal to one’s own feelings and intuitions first and then placing your loyalty and trust where it should belong. Warriors are responsible for everything that they have done and everything that they have said, and all of the consequences that follow. Loyalty will then build amongst those who share the same principles and way of life.

The universe is filled with precious gifts. Each moment we are alive is a gift, shining through containing the light for growth. It needs us all to breathe and to see. Observe nature, we hear the birds singing, the trees swaying, the flowers blooming, the sky and all its colours, the clouds and all their shapes, and all where there is life.

We should live with life in every breath and embrace this moment. With courage and with wisdom, we are able to see clearly through the ways of the world. We come to understand that everything in the world is a teacher. For the trees can all reveal the true nature of reality, we can learn from nature enough to be enlightened. Cherish that which is within us, for we are each a unique living expression of the universe itself.

Change will only happen when we fall in love with nature and with our inner nature. Only peace can show us how to live in harmony with nature and one each other, that is the meaning of love, to be at one. When we pay attention to the universe, we find that everything contributes to its harmony. Let our heart and mind be free, let our abode be here, in the way.

侍

© Patrick Graven