“The more you know who you are and what you want, the less you let things upset you.” Bill Murray in Lost in Translation
The best warriors never lose their temperament. A warrior is neither heated nor cold and thus they don’t allow things to upset them. Too much anger, sadness or even joy is a sign that a person too easily influenced. A warrior is supposed to be a person of character who prides themselves on their self-discipline and willpower. A warrior’s temperament can be likened to temperature. We want to cool down when we are too hot and we want to warm up when we are too cold. Each of us has an internal thermostat which enables us to tolerate different temperatures. We also have an internal thermostat which controls our temperament. If we allow our temperature or our temperament to be overly influenced, then we run the risk of doing something impetuous which could negatively affect us. The entire basis of the tale of the 47 Ronin is based upon a person losing their temper at the wrong time. The highest teaching in budo is that of equanimity. One translation of equanimity in Japanese is annonbuji (安穏無事). “Equanimity teaches us to observe mindfully so that we may act appropriately. Martial arts training doesn’t necessarily teach the art of war, but rather the art of peace because it teaches us how to control ourselves so that we can make good decisions. O’Sensei once wrote, “The Way of the Warrior has been misunderstood. It is not a means to kill and destroy others. Those who seek to compete and better one another are making a terrible mistake. To smash, injure, or destroy is the worst thing a human being can do. The real Way of a Warrior is to prevent such slaughter — it is the Art of Peace, the power of love.” Thus, it is imperative that a warrior not allow things to upset them. Don’t allow the temperature of the situation to affect your temperament. Thus, a warrior is neither heated nor cold.
Today’s goal: If you notice that you are becoming too heated, turn down your thermostat, breathe and cool down.