Wisdom from the Ancients

06 Sept 08

Lessons from our Warrior ancestors:

"For the uncontrolled, there is no wisdom, nor for the uncontrolled is there the power of concentration, and for him without concentration, there can be no peace; and, for the unpeaceful, how can there be happiness?"

- Bhagvad Gita

In Japanese, the word "do" means "the Way." Budo is thus "the Way of the Warrior." It embraces attitudes, beliefs, character, and the heartof what we call an "Operator," and it was acutely necessary in feudal Japan, where life was a strenuous challenge and, for the unprepared, ended abruptly! In the intervening twelve-hundred years, the world has changed a good deal less than the naive among us have deluded themselves into believing!

Risk is inherent to all human activity. Oh, how we try to factor out all the unknowns before making decisions! But, in the end, we are compelled to confront the fact that nothing, not even tomorrow, is guaranteed. The essence of life is not to avoid risk, but rather to maximize opportunity. And, where do the richest opportunities lie? Exactly where risks are greatest! Who vainly peruse the illusion of "safety," squander their lives.

While the mind dithers, the body dawdles. We die in the gaps!

Don't keep asking, "Why?" Instead, say, "Why not?" Go forward boldly, never looking back!

"The fields of history are littered with the silent bones of those who, at the dawn of victory, paused to rest, and resting, died."

- Hwrang Do aphorism

/John