| Do you lack self discipline? Many of us do. Gaining self | | | | Know yourself. (Jiko o shiru koto) |
| discipline is a matter ofworking at it it. Their are several | | | | Always follow through on commitments. (Jibun no |
| paths to reach it, I think. One method ispracticing | | | | kimeta koto wa saigo made kikkosuru koto) |
| constant self improvement. Check out my story; I have | | | | Respect everyone. (Ikanaru hito demo sonke suru |
| always beenfascinated by the martial arts. Martial arts | | | | koto) |
| are the physical self defense disciplinesthat were | | | | Hold strong convictions that cannot be altered by your |
| developed in the Far East. The arts include but are not | | | | circumstances. (Kankyo nisayu sarenai tsuyoi shinnen |
| limited to Kung Fu, | | | | o motsu koto) |
| Karate, Judo, Aikido, Kempo, Ninjitsu, Tae Kwon Do, | | | | Don't make an enemy of yourself. (Mizu kara teki o |
| Jujitsu and many others. Thesewere made popular | | | | tsukuranai koto) |
| here most famously by Bruce Lee. I believe that my | | | | Live without regrets. (Koto ni oite kokaisezu) |
| addiction tothese arts and their movies was fed by the | | | | Be certain to make a good first impression. (Hito to no |
| Saturday afternoon matinees that thetelevision stations | | | | deai o taisetsu ni suru koto) |
| used to show. As a young prepubescent boy | | | | Don't cling to the past. (Miren o motanai koto) |
| watching Shao Linmonks leaping through the air as if | | | | Never break a promise. (Yakusoku o yaburanai koto) |
| they were flying, shattering stones with theirbare hands | | | | Don't depend on other people. (Hito ni tayoranai koto) |
| and the speed finesse and skill level that they | | | | Don't speak ill of others. (Hito o onshitsu shinai koto) |
| displayed was mindblowing to me. That was first | | | | Don't be afraid of anything. (Ikanaku koto ni oite mo |
| hooked me to their culture as I took up the artsmyself I | | | | osorenai koto) |
| immersed myself in books and magazines about asian | | | | Respect the opinions of others. (Hito no iken o soncho |
| culture. While I amnot the first in sharing the riches and | | | | suru koto) |
| wisdom the Buddha, Sun Tzu and Confucius. Ibelieve | | | | Have compassion and understanding for everyone. |
| that I am the first to share the wisdom of the Samurai | | | | (Hito ni taishite omoiyari omotsu koto) |
| on Ezines. | | | | Don't be impetuous. (karuhazumi ni koto o okosanai |
| In case youdidn't know the Samurai were warrior | | | | koto) |
| caste in feudal Japan. | | | | Even little things must be attended to. (Chiisa na koto |
| The ideal samurai were expected to lead austere, | | | | demo taisetsu ni suru koto) |
| disciplined lives, dedicated to theirlords and the | | | | Never forget to be appreciative. (Kansha no kimochi o |
| perfection of the martial arts and their character. They | | | | wasurenai koto) |
| were expectedto be capable of bringing the same | | | | Make a desperate effort. (Issho kenmei monogoto o |
| finesse to the tea ceremony, calligraphy, andpoetry as | | | | suru koto) |
| they would to the removal of an enemy's head in | | | | Have a plan for your life. (Jinsei no mokuhyo o |
| battle. They gavecomplete loyalty to their daimyo | | | | sadameru koto) |
| (feudal landlord) in his private army, and receivedland, | | | | Never lose your "Beginner's Spirit". (Shoshin o |
| position, status, and money in return. | | | | wasurubekarazaru koto) |
| Please read the following and try to absorb the | | | | Saigo made eizoku suru - persist to the end. This one |
| principles of constant selfimprovement that the | | | | has special meaning to me Ilook at this in this way "to |
| samurai practiced. While it won't help you in your | | | | persist is to conquer" |
| sword playthe wisdom listed below can help into | | | | Personally, I try to make an effort to live up to these |
| shaping you into a better person. Mind youthat this list | | | | ideals. They teach theimportance of self reliance and |
| has been adapted from ancient Samurai precepts and | | | | responsibility for ones actions. If you can't |
| thus they havebeen adapted to make sense in todays | | | | blameanyone else for your misfortunes you are that |
| world. | | | | more focused on your goals. This is aconstant effort, |
| Precepts of the Samurai (samurai no kokoroe), a | | | | we are human, there is always room for improvement. |
| modern variation ona historicalphilosophy: | | | | |