Reflections on what "True Warrior" Really is.

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Reflections on what “True Warrior” Really is.
Taking references from BUDO and the thoughts of master Ueshiba Morehei, and my own.

What the principles say is that in order to be a true warrior you must be in harmony with the heaven and earth,water and fire,light and heat,yin/yang etc. The principles also state that you must be just, compassionate,and peacfull. We learn these combative arts so that we can better understand ourselves as human beings and also to better understand what our relationships with others are as well. Can we really blend the art of peace with the art of hurting mameing and killing another? Since the philosphies of Budo and zen stem from the apparant hardship and atrocities of conflict,war and death by violent means, can we as new people who do not experience this violence and war first hand,TRUELY UNDERSTAND and master the essence behind the arts that we practice?
I meditate alot on this concept,for i do not consider myself an inherently violent man,but definately one capable of such violence. in related posts i have put down and spoke out against sporting events involving fighting(ufc,etc.) For to me and what i have been taught over the years,that THIS in it of itself is wrong and a waste of time and energy. I get heated responses from those who participate or endorse such activity.
I feel it to be vital to our survival as intellectual and rational thinking beings that we heed the teachings and warnings of such masters that have gone through the realities of war and destruction and seek to steer us away from that path and lead a more peacefull life. To only use your abilities for the life/death situation,and for healing.
I write all this and i REALIZE the contradictions that i make for i have issued challenges in the past,wanted to fight, and hurt seriously, members of this board who would insult me,and in the past with whom would insult my teachers and system. i have met a challenge and lost. am i walking the path of a true warrior? are you? are any of us?
i would like to think that these arts of combat and philosophy serve to a better end other than to hurt and kill another.
there was a time when i wanted to enlist in the military,and experience for myself what these masters experienced so that i could truly understand where they were coming from. i then looked back on my own life and the violence that surrounded it and i thought to myself, " i have gone through my own war, a personal one involving family." “i wonder if this be as great a tragedy as fighting in a war.?”
without this becoming a “lets bash willow sword thread”
i would like to read others views on the concepts i have discussed. i hope that in THIS thread we can actually exchange thought and opinion in a peaceful way.
Many Respects,The Willow Sword

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Willow Sword, I do want to give my thoughts here. I’m about to train and spar so give me a couple hours or so to get back to the thread.

Ryu

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Often times what a warrior should be is expounded upon poetically and at times can be left to interpretation.
I think any good “warrior” should be respectful, honorable, and trustworthy. All of these things are important to be a good warrior as well as a good person, but a warrior has the ability to take life and so holds a power over others that your average person may to understand. Respect is necessary to be compassionate. honor is necessary to be allowed to wield the power to dole out life or death. Trustworthy for the same reasons.
A good warrior must be peaceful and compassionate for obvious reasons. A good warrior should seek peace, even if he must go to war to secure it. War must be the last and final step.
As a human being a good warrior must be both comfortable with the highest levels of peace and the highest levels of violence. I say to my self everyday, I do not want to hurt or kill anyone, but if I have to to defend myself and my loved ones, I will.
I joined the military, and these things occurred to me as I began my training. By the end of my first 6 months I had learned to use many deadly weapons to good effect, and with that responsibility there should be some ethics instiled and taught. Its why I think it is something important to instill in martial arts schools.

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For now, it’s just for fun, self-cultivation, and to answer the question “how good at MA can I make myself.” One day, my life or a loved one’s may depend upon my martial skill - but I hope that never happens. If it does, I think the combatative mindset that we cultivate in the MA will help me in the situation, whether or not it is empty-hand- it probably won’t be.

I don’t think much about being a “warrior.” I look at life as a challenge and in order to be successful you must meet and surpass many challenges. I also look at life as a precious gift, think about it, what did you pay for your life? The creator gave it to you for free. It’s like a freebie! Don’t want to squander this great gift. Or look a gift horse in the mouth, start b!tching. when in fact, it is very possible to make the most out of it, for whatever that’s worth (alot to me). And remember the golden rule. One aspect of the golden rule is don’t make war unless you have to.
Sorry if I’m off-topic…

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I’m not a true warrior and don’t really have ambitions in that area. So, am I just a complete yutz since I like to practice martial arts and would even dig competing a bit when I get good? I don’t think so. I’m working on renaissance man, not true warrior.

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i have gone through my own war, a personal one involving family." “i wonder if this be as great a tragedy as fighting in a war.?”

I would definitely have to say no. I don’t know your family’s history or the violence that may have taken place, but I can be fairly confident in saying the you probably have not been walking down the street talking with your buddy and all of a sudden half of his body is blown off. Then the next day someone you look up to and respect takes a round from an AK 47 thru the head.

What I am saying is that while some violence may have occured, I am certain it isn’t on the level as many vietnam vets and other soldiers have seen when they were in “the ****”.

I think to be a true warrior, you must be able to accept your own death and mortality. A personal belief of mine is that in this day and time you really have to have an occupation that requires you to be a warrior. Spending a few hours a day in the training hall/kwoon/dojo doesn’t count. After all, war is the first part of warrior.

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The most important skill a warrior must have is a sense of humor.

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i agree with chang. the word ‘warrior’ has connotations, to my mind, that don’t apply. ‘rennaissance man’ works well enough.

in my opinion, being a warrior would require something that most of us don’t face. the willingness (and perhaps the actual experience) to take a life. we can very easily say that we’d be willing. but unless we’re actively putting ourselves into situations where such a thing is necessary, i think ‘warrior’ is the wrong moniker.

is the man that kills in defense of his wife or child a warrior? or a father and husband? my feeling is that he’s the second, which is no less profound or important than the first.

stuart b.

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Actually, what you stated, IMO presents all the more reason to compete in MMA or any other contact combat sport. Having been in the ring and knocked someone unconcsious, having broken someone’s ribs and various other damage I’ve done has shown me some of what I am capable of doing. I KNOW how much damage I can cause, and choose not to abuse that power. I also have had my butt kicked, been injured, etc. which makes you realize your mortality and that you are not invincible. That being said though, I don’t consider myself a warrior. I am merely a person who loves to train.

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A true warrior is in the arena of life actually DOING something, putting it all on the line.

Spectators merely admire - or flame - from afar.

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Kinda confused on your post Huang. Could you possibly expand on that or be a little more specific?

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ewallace

i would agree with you that what I have gone through in my life does not equal that of war and conflict in that respect. what i wonder about is having had my own violent experiences as at young age and realizing the tragedies but not being a part of the tragedies of the world(ie: vietnam,ww2,gulf,) is just realizing it enough to truely understand the martial path and walk it?

                              MRTWS
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I think there is a huge difference between “walking the martial path” and being a warrior. You definitely don’t have to go to war to walk the martial path and you don’t have to walk the martial path in order to be a warrior. I think if you draw the line between those you will become clearer in the path that you are trying to walk.

I’m sure experiencing violence of any sort will make those that have the ability to impose injury on another person more aware of what they are capable of, and to have a more profound respect and appreciation for life.

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http://www.xpres.net/~gmattson/ubbs/Forum2/HTML/001773.html

Very interesting article. I copied this post from user David in Cyberkwoon. The following are quotes from the above link.

  1. Belief In Mission / Task At hand:

· If you do not believe in the mission or task at hand, or if the risks outweigh the ultimate benefit to you/society, you WILL hesitate in combat
· One who hesitates in combat, will usually levitate ( 12 feet under or be seriously injured

  1. Faith System:

· You do not want to go into combat without having things resolved
· Both the ancient samurai and the kamikaze’s during WWII understood this important rule
· Even in our modern times, there are certain spec war teams around the world that are allowed to make peace with their deity prior to mission
· A strong faith system, whatever that faith system may be, MINIMIZES the fear of dying. As a graphic example of this, look at the events of September 11th and how the terrorists were not afraid to die and thus were able to carry out their mission. Also look at what is happening in Israel right now !!!
· Remember, combat is not the place for you to be making major adjustments to your belief system. You need to be concentrating on the task at hand and nothing else. Not to do so places yourself in jeopardy. "

From “The Anatomy Of Fear”,
http://www.xpres.net/~gmattson/ubbs/Forum2/HTML/001773.html

(BookMark for reading when you have the time, it’s long but a must for MArtists!)

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i don’t think of myself as a ‘warrior’, i think of myself as a ‘person’ :slight_smile:

Hey, pulled this from another discussion forum ( www.mindfulwisdom.com )…i’m the 2nd one…

TaiYong
Posts: 125
(9/8/02 4:00:38 pm)
Reply
Re: “extreme training” Warrior DVD

The warrior’s mindset is not an easy thing to explain yet once the conept is grasped it is actually quite simple, a warrior is stubborn, proud, honorable, never quits, Never, in the face of a hopeless challenge a warrior gives a little smile, and wins, a warrior knows no limits to their ability, they constantly train with this in mind, after today I can be better or worse, but it is up to me, in the midst of great turbulence the warrior alone is still, in the midst of great fear and despair the warrior alone is calm and confident. A warrior is strong yet knows how to use true strength to yield, a warrior will not show his ability for others amusement, when others mock him that they are better or greater he is unconcerned for a true warrior knows a worthy opponent mere by the presence of the individual, the poise the look of the eyes, even by voice and fluidity of speech. Thus a warrior will not be disturbed by little children laughing at him. Warrior is fearless in every way, seeing life and death as natural he does not cling to the lost. A warrior does not fear his own demise, though this does not mean the warrior is careless with his life.

“The self confidence of a warrior is not the self confidence of the average man, the average man is hooked to his fellow men. The Warrior is hooked only to himself and even that, he relinquises with time. The average man seeks certainty in the eyes of others and calls this self confidence. The Warrior seeks impeccability in his own eyes and calls this humbleness.”

“The difference between the two is remarkable, self confidence entails knowing something for sure. Humbleness entails being impeccable in one’s actions and feeling’s”

“I’ve been trying to live in accordance with your suggestions. I may not be the best, but I am the best of myself, is that Impeccability?”

“No you must do better than that, you must push yourself beyond your limits, all the time.”

There is still a great deal to a Warriors mind that I haven’t written of but to write of it all would not be within my ability for these are things I have picked up a piece at a time over years and years of searching and piece by piece they come together forming a picture however as of yet that picture is still incomplete, and perhaps it will always be that way regardless of how many pieces I collect, so you see few are interested in the mind of a warrior, because it is a lonely way, even though you have friends and meet ladies and what not, your still not like them you do not seek the material as they do, you only seek truth.

dezhen2001
Posts: 85
(9/9/02 2:01:52 am)
Reply warriors mind?

Hi Tai Yong… agree on some points but not others

As for the first paragraph:

stubborn — for some things (truth), for other things u just have to let go
proud — “pride is a good thing but too much pride is foolish”
honorable — what does that mean? what is your definition?
never quits — sure, can always take a step back and reassess the situation

a warrior knows no limits to their ability, they constantly train with this in mind — a warrior knows what he can and can’t do. Then no need to worry about anything.

in the midst of great turbulence the warrior alone is still — Why be alone? That’s what friends, family (blood and gong fu) and companions are for. I’m not going in to self emposed exile for no reason…

in the midst of great fear and despair the warrior alone is calm and confident — it’s ok to be afraid and crap yourself. The real ‘warrior’ still moves forward when he is afraid.

A warrior is strong yet knows how to use true strength to yield — agreed, strength comes from yielding

a warrior will not show his ability for others amusement — why not? If someone is interested and wants to see your skill then you can explain it to them or show them…

when others mock him that they are better or greater he is unconcerned for a true warrior knows a worthy opponent mere by the presence of the individual, the poise the look of the eyes, even by voice and fluidity of speech — very ‘romantic’! You know your own level - what u can and can’t do. No need to worry for something u can’t do. As for opponents, never underestimate OPPONENT or overestimate YOURSELF.

Thus a warrior will not be disturbed by little children laughing at him — who is? Unless it’s a big gang of teenagers with ill intent…

Warrior is fearless in every way, seeing life and death as natural he does not cling to the lost — accepting death does not mean u can’t still be afraid. I know i can die and don’t mind but i would rather survive to look after my family…

A warrior does not fear his own demise, though this does not mean the warrior is careless with his life — Why say:- “i’d die for you”? I’d rather say “No matter what happens i’ll SURVIVE for YOU”… but that’s just me Dying is too easy…

more later but i have to go,
laterz,

dezhen

sprry if it’s a bit long and hashed out :stuck_out_tongue:
david

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“True Warrior”

First a warrior needs a war to fight in.
Although he cannot, he must be ready to die.
He must be willing and capable of killing.
Must he walk whatever this so-called vague thing TWS likes to talk about so much ‘the [martial] path’ ? No. All he needs is a rifle, a pair of shoes, and some rice and bread.

Living and dying by the sword is not being a true warrior, its BEING a japanese swordsman hundreds of years ago.

Training regularly and working a job in the modern western world is no where near BEING a ‘true warrior’ and I dout that “path” or any "path’ that is anywhere near related, has anything to do whatsoever with the “martial path.”

Warriors live, die, eat, sleep and **** war, it has nothing to do with any path that doesnt lead to the enemy, and only in very specific, individual, immediate situations does any sort of made up code of “ethics” or other random notion of ‘justice’ or ‘fairness’ or ‘mercy’ even come close to cossing wires with the TRUE WARRIOR.

The True Warrior cares only for the destruction of his enemy.

I dont think you gentlemen need to aspire to be anything other then nice guys who 'simply love to train."

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I dont think you gentlemen need to aspire to be anything other then nice guys who 'simply love to train."

well said :slight_smile:

david

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Seems to be an awful lot of argument over what a ‘warrior’ or ‘martial path’ is.

My simple take:

Unless you’ve fought in a war… you’re not a warrior. Period.

It has nothing to do with your morals, your character, or your personal habits (although it can affect these.) If you’ve fought in a war, you’re a warrior. If you haven’t, you’re not.

(I’ll define ‘war’ here as any large scale military armed conflict, not just situations where war has been officially declared.)

Am I a warrior? Hell no.

Am I a martial artist? Yes. Why? Because I study a martial art. Period. It has nothing to do with my morals, character, or personal habits (although it’s affected all of them to an extent.)

Anyone who disagrees with these definitions is free to. I’d be interested to hear why you consider a ‘warrior’ to be anything more or less than what I’ve said, though.

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No argument here. Just emphasis on the keyword “FOUGHT” in a war.

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Yenhoi

posted by yenhoi

 " First a warrior needs a war to fight in.

Although he cannot, he must be ready to die.
He must be willing and capable of killing.
Must he walk whatever this so-called vague thing TWS likes to talk about so much ‘the [martial] path’ ? No. All he needs is a rifle, a pair of shoes, and some rice and bread."

 we are all capable of killing,,does that mean we should?

Vague path? theres nothing Vague about it.
well i have all three of those things that you mentioned that a warrior needs,as i am sure alot of others here have as well and who are not “warriors” or martial artists.

" Living and dying by the sword is not being a true warrior, its BEING a japanese swordsman hundreds of years ago"

 living and dying by the sword" is a term that states that if you live by the violence you will die by it.  which is what alot of these masters realized and got out of before they ended up on a battlefield dead.   Master ueshiba morehei is a prime example.
 
" Training regularly and working a job in the modern western world is no where near BEING a 'true warrior' and I dout that "path" or any "path' that is anywhere near related, has anything to do whatsoever with the "martial path."

   i have always thought that a warrior encompasses all endeavors in life,,and is not just a warrior persay,,,,we have jobs and are productive to our society.  when there is no war,,then what does the warrior do?  they work.   whether their trade is related to thier "martial path" is of no concern.  so i can agree with you on this a little.

           "Warriors live, die, eat, sleep and **** war, it has nothing to do with any path that doesnt lead to the enemy, and only in very specific, individual, immediate situations does any sort of made up code of "ethics" or other random notion of 'justice' or 'fairness' or 'mercy' even come close to cossing wires with the TRUE WARRIOR"
  
 is this the type of "true warrior" that you are?  then tell me,,do you sit at home and anxiously wait for the draft board to send you the notice?  or to be called back into service?

made up code of ethics? even our military follows these “made up code of ethics” its what our country and freedoms are based on.

       "The True Warrior cares only for the destruction of his enemy"

      i would say that this statement is rather,,,,,Young,,,to make,,,,as it makes you look very naive.   


  " I dont think you gentlemen need to aspire to be anything other then nice guys who 'simply love to train"

are "true warriors",in what your view is, NOT nice guys who love to train?


           MRTWS