一将功成りて万骨枯る
Issho ko nari bankotsu karu
1000 die to raise one hero to fame
Warriors know that greatness is not achieved in a vacuum. There’s a saying in Japanese, “1000 die to raise one hero to fame.” One meaning of this proverb is that no one can achieve mastery by themselves. In the dojo, there are two unwritten principles: you must train hard and everyone must work together. The first rule is obvious as budo is supposed to be egalitarian and so those that put in the work will get good. Secondly, a dojo is a community where we are taught to set ourselves aside and put others or the greater good first. We see this regard for others in the daily cleaning of the dojo. We also see this other mindedness when we assume the role as uke (受け) or “the one who receives the technique.” In training, the uke voluntarily gives their body to their partner so that they can attain mastery. The act of giving enables us to practice selflessness. The act of receiving also enables the nage (取り) or “doer” to practice compassion, kindness and self-restraint. People training hard while putting others first creates a powerful symbiotic community of change. If a person wants to change their circumstances, the fastest way to do that is to change their community. In Japanese they say, “When the character of a person isn’t clear, look at their friends.” Who we choose to surround ourselves with says a lot about who we are. The adage, “one bad apple spoils the bunch” works both ways as the people with whom we surround ourselves with can either help us or hurt us. In my experience, those who became the best were those who put others first. Budo understands that we are all in this together and so in order to “be the change that we want to see in the world,” we have to first surround ourselves with those who are modeling that change. The paradox of budo is that the only way to true mastery is through helping others and that’s why it takes 1000 people to help us achieve our greatness and that’s why greatness isn’t achieved in a vacuum.
Today’s goal: Who are you choosing to associating with? Are they helping you or hurting you?