Shooting From The Hip - 23 - THE WAY!

7 Eye Opening Japanese Concepts That Will Transform Your Life

1. Ikigai - Discover your purpose in life -find create something that aligns your strengths, aptitudes, passions - gives life meaning

2. Shikita ga nai - Let go of what you cannot change

3. Wabi-sabi - Find peace in imperfection - nothing in life is perfect, including yourself & others- find joy in the imperfections that make life unique

4. Gaman - Preserve your dignity during tough times - emotional maturity & self-control-to be patient, resilient & understanding

5. Oubaittori - Don't compare yourself to others- focus on your own progress- instead of measuring yourself against others

6. Kaizen - Always seek to improve in all areas of your life -even small changes can lead to a big impact

7. Shu-Ha-Ri - "When the student is ready the teacher will appear. When the student is truly ready the teacher will appear"

There are 3 stages to acquiring knowledge:
SHU - Learn the basics by following the teaching of one master. Imitating the work of great masters also falls in this stage.
HA - Start experimenting, learn from masters, & integrate the learning into practice.
Ri - This stage focuses on innovation & the ability to apply your learning to a variety of situations.

Miyamoto Musashi 1584 – 13 June 1645 - was a Japanese swordsman, philosopher, strategist, writer & ronin, who became renowned through stories of his unique double-bladed swordsmanship & undefeated record in his 61 duels (next is 33 by Ito Ittosai). Musashi, as he was often simply known, is considered a Kensei, literally translates as 'sword-saint' of Japan. Never stray from the Way

Bushido, meaning "way of the warrior," is a code of conduct & a way of life
Zen Japanese for "meditation," -key to enlightenment -characterized by mental discipline, calmness, austerities & effort

Bodhidharma- a legendary Buddhist monk who lived during the 5th & 6th century C.E. & played a seminal role in the transmission of Zen Buddhism(Chan Buddhism) - credited with founding the famous Shaolin school of Chinese martial arts & is known as a Tripitaka Dharma Master

Taoism (Daoism) - is the natural order of the universe - also term for various philosophies & religious systems that emphasize harmony with the Tao (Chinese; literally: "the Way") - Taoism "the Way" emphasize virtues: wu wei (effortless action), ziran (naturalness), pu (simplicity) & spontaneity

Karate Do word karate is combination of 2 Japanese characters: kara, meaning empty, & te, meaning hand; thus, karate means "empty hand." Adding the suffix "do" (pronounced "doe"), meaning "way" the suffix has numerous meanings including road, path, route & way. i.e., karate-do, implies karate as a total way of life that goes well beyond the self-defense applications

Sanchin: - can be divided into 2 Chinese words: 'san', which means 3 & 'chin', which means battle - this kata translates as "3 conflicts" - also known as "meditation in movement", THE STRUGGLE TO UNIFY, MIND, BODY & SPIRIT

The 5 spirits of Budo: 1) Shoshin – Beginner’s Mind - an attitude of openness, eagerness & no preconceptions of how to perform techniques
2) Zanshin – Lingering Mind - a state of mind where you are totally in the Now - in the present moment- relaxed, but aware & alert- It is total awareness
3) Mushin – No Mind - literally means mind-no-mind or empty mind. -the Flow State You could think of Mushin as being a state of mind where there is no distortion or thoughts, yet you are still acting
4) Fudoshin – Immovable Mind - represents a mind that is totally at peace, in every situation - a mind filled with courage & determination - that you can achieve anything
5) Senshin – Enlightened Mind - is the highest level of the 5 Spirits of Budo- all life as sacred

Kaizen - has come to mean "continuous improvement"

Harmonizing Opposites By Going Back To Their Source Is The Distinctive Quality Of The Zen Attitude, The Middle Way: Embracing Contradictions, Making A Synthesis Of Them, Achieving Balance.
---- Taisen Deshimaru

5 Ways To Zen: 1. Focus On The Task At Hand 2. Be All In 3. Find Rest 4. Simplify Life 5. Let Go - 8 virtues of Bushido, the code of the samurai:
-justice, courage, benevolence, politeness, sincerity, honor, loyalty & self-control
Bushido Code - is the emphasis on compassion, benevolence, & the other non-martial qualities of true manliness 1. Rectitude/Justice a course of conduct in accordance with reason, without wavering 2. Courage ‘Courage is doing what is right’ 3. Benevolence or Mercy - benevolence & mercy: Love, magnanimity, affection for others, sympathy & pity 4. Politeness - a true man, courtesy in benevolence- good manners 5. Honesty & Sincerity - disdain money, believing that “men must grudge money, for riches hinder wisdom” encouraged thrift -abstinence 6. Honor -a vivid consciousness of personal dignity & worth 7. Loyalty 8. Character & Self-Control -an absolute moral standard What’s right is right & what’s wrong is wrong