渡る世間に鬼はない
Watarusekennioniwanai
All people aren't evil; don't distrust everyone
All the best martial artists know trust. Someone once said, “Trust is the root of all light and human endeavor, man’s survival can only be a result of the shared trust we have in our own humanity and desire to live.” Understanding this, being able to truly trust demonstrates a high level of martial arts ability. “Trust” or shin (信) is a human imperative but for one reason or another it might not be so innate for some of us. To trust someone is to give that person our “faith or confidence” which in turn can be used against us. Martial artists tend to be more fushin (不信) or “mistrusting.” This mistrust is based upon ideas like Sun Tzu’s statement that “All warfare is based upon deception.” Obviously, if someone is going to attack us they are probably not someone who can be trusted. Understanding this, the Japanese created the proverb bushi wo mitaradorobotoomoe (武士を見たら泥棒と思え) or “Warriors always assume the worst in people.” This idea of not trusting others can be seen in every martial arts kata (型) as they are all based upon mistrust with the thinking that “if someone attacks you like this, then you would do this…” At the early stages of training, we tend to be “closed off” and foster a kamae (構え) or “stance” which is “closed” to prevent others from attacking us or defeating us. Later on in our martial arts journey, we learn to trust ourselves and adopt a more “open” stance. We can open our stance because with time and training, we realize as someone once said, “We don't see things as they are, we see them as we are.” Therefore, not trusting others really begins with us and so how much we open ourselves is a reflection of how much we trust ourselves and not in how much we trust other people. This is where the idea that martial arts training builds confidence comes from. We see this idea of openness from the Japanese word yurusu (許す) which is one of the words for “trust.” Trust in the context of yurusu means “letting one’s guard down.” Ki wo yurusu (氣を許す) or kokoro wo yurusu (心を許す) both mean to “allow” one’s “energy” or “heart” to be open. Once we gain the ability to open up and self-trust, we no longer mistrust others because “We don't see things as they are, we see them as we are.” Trusting ourselves creates the realization that all people, including us, are suffering, and are only doing the best that they can and so there is no need to be afraid and no need to take things personally. Trust enables us to move with fluidity because we trust ourselves enough to let others in and that is why all the best martial artists know trust.
Today’s goal: Remember, as Lao Tzu said, “Those who do not trust enough will not be trusted.”
Watch this video to better understand self-trust.