The best warriors have the best manners - yaiba ni tsukimono wa rei ni suguru (刃に強き者は礼にすぐる). A true warrior is supposed to be a mirror which reflects back on others a better version of themselves. Long ago, a warrior was someone that others respected and aspired to be. Japanese warriors were supposed to be the pinnacle of nobility and grace and we see this in the aforementioned proverb. Japanese warriors of old were not just killing machines; they were people who conducted themselves with dignity and grace despite the fact that they were engaged in the business of warfare. This decorum was necessary to create a sense of balance in their lives. A warrior’s conduct, good and bad, could unknowingly reflect back upon their family or clan and even the smallest transgression in one’s behavior could set in motion dire consequences. Rules, manners and etiquette were put into place not to oppress, but for safety reasons. This still holds true in a dojo where the rules are there to keep the students safe. If we bump into someone, we always say, “excuse me” so as to not create a problem where there isn’t one. An interesting old samurai rule was that one would never touch another person’s weapon without permission. So, ronin or “master-less samurai” used to go around bumping other people’s sword scabbards to initiate duels. A warrior always had to be vigilant and mindful so that they didn’t get drawn into a needless conflict. Conducting themselves with dignity enables the warrior to keep their poise and balance in the face of adversity. A warrior knows that their manners reflect who they are on the inside and thus the best warriors always have the best manners.
Today’s goal: Be mindful of what you not only say and do, but also of what you think because what you think about, you bring about and your actions reflect who you are.
Watch the video below, but don’t forget to add in the subtitles in the closed caption.