“Nothing can hold you back when you’re not holding back a thing”. – Atreyu

This is post #13 in my quest for 30 in 30.

Ninjas have become quite the the popular guys lately. Everybody is making ninja references in their writings and admittedly, I’ve made ninja references myself in a recent post. There’s even a new blockbuster coming out about a Ninja this month. They have seemingly taken on the roll of hero in a lot of minds. But the ninja are really nothing more than samurai with lower standards.

It’s my personal feeling that a part of ones standards should include a code that they live by. For myself, I have adopted the way of the samurai known as Bushido as my code. I do my best to emulate this way of living in my day to day. It, like my standards helps to guide me through my life and helps me when faced with challenges. The principles  of Bushido may have been the code of an ancient warrior class but they are quite relevant in today’s society. If more people lived by this code the world might be a better place.

Here are the seven principals of Bushido.

Honesty & Justice 義
Be acutely honest throughout your dealings with all people. Believe in justice, not from other people, but from yourself. To the true Samurai, there are no shades of gray in the question of honesty & justice. There is only right and wrong.

Polite Courtesy　礼
Samurai have no reason to be cruel. They do not need to prove their strength. A Samurai is courteous even to his enemies. Without this outward show of respect, we are nothing more than animals.

Heroic Courage　勇
Rise up above the masses of people who are afraid to act. Hiding like a turtle in a shell is not living at all. A Samurai must have heroic courage. It is absolutely risky. It is dangerous. It is living life completely, fully, wonderfully. Heroic courage is not blind. It is intelligent & strong.

Honor　名誉
A true Samurai has only one judge of honour, and this is himself. Decisions you make and how these decisions are carried out are a reflection of whom you truly are. You cannot hide from yourself.

Compassion 仁
Through intense training the Samurai becomes quick & strong. He is not as other men. He develops a power that must be used for the good of all. He has compassion. He helps his fellow man at every opportunity. If an opportunity does not arise, he goes out of his way to find one.

Complete Sincerity 誠
When a Samurai has said that he will perform an action, it is as good as done. Nothing will stop him from completing what he has said he will do. He does not have to “give his word”. He does not have to “promise”. Speaking and doing are the same action.

Duty & Loyalty　忠
Having done some “thing” or said some “thing”, he owns that “thing”. He is responsible for it, and all the consequences that follow. A Samurai is immensely loyal to all those in his care. To those he is responsible for, he remains fiercely true.

You may consider taking on this code as your own. I say do it but only because it’s been usefully to me. Even if you’re not considering the way of the warrior I suggest you do your best to live by a code of ethics weather it be completely original or adopted from one already in existence. It’s an invaluable tool.

Thank you for being here. Talk to you tomorrow.
-JB
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Today’s Music: Honor
by: Atreyu
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