a newfound quote i like

Blatantly lifted from Ann T. Hathaway’s blog:

Theognis of Megara (6th Century B.C.)
lines 869-872

May wide and towering heaven collapse upon me in all its bronze and terror,
catastrophe to the peoples of earth,
on that day when I no longer stand by my companions,
on that day when I cease to harry my enemies.

Amen.

 

duty…honor…country

An excerpt from Gen. MacArthur’s Thayer Award Acceptance Address at West Point. The entire speech can be heard here.

 

where the way is found

Image via Wikipedia

“A warrior has success in his head, armor on his chest, and his fate is in heaven. Go to fight with confidence and you’ll come back without a single wound. Rush into the battle ready to die. Should you leave home, remember that you shall never see it again, only then shall you come back. If you dream for a moment of returning home, it will most likely never happen. Life brings about constant changes, but a samurai doesn’t think that way as his fate is predestined”. -Uesugi Kenshin (1530-1578 )

The Way of the Samurai is found in death. When it comes to either/or, there is only the quick choice of death. It is not particularly difficult. Be determined and advance. To say that dying without reaching one’s aim is to die a dog’s death is the frivolous way of sophisticates. When pressed with the choice of life or death, it is not necessary to gain one’s aim.We all want to live. And in large part we make our logic according to what we like. But not having attained our aim and continuing to live is cowardice. This is a thin dangerous line. To die without gaming one’s aim is a dog’s death and fanaticism. But there is no shame in this. This is the substance of the Way of the Samurai. If by setting one’s heart right every morning and evening, one is able to live as though his body were already dead, he gains freedom in the Way. His whole life will be without blame, and he will succeed in his calling. -The Hagakure

“We’re all scared.  You hid in that ditch because you think there is still hope.  But Blithe, the only hope you have is to accept the fact that you are already dead.  And the sooner you accept that, the sooner you will be able to function as a soldier is supposed to function.  Without mercy.  Without compassion.  Without remorse.  All war depends on it.” -From “Band of Brothers”

The passages above pretty much say what I want to convey.

After many years of reading various military and martial arts sources I have seen this idea time and again… Warriors saying that to be able to operate freely and to your full potential in combat that you can’t be concerned with “surviving”.

I suppose that I can see the logic in the idea. If your primary goal is avoiding death, all you will do is try to find the “safe” answer to a problem that has no “safe place” in it. At the best you will live; either as a coward or as something far less than a Soldier or a Warrior. At the worst you will probably be killed; as it’s easier to kill a person who is cowering, unmoving and “unfighting” in one spot, than it is to kill a moving and attacking Warrior.

While it’s easy to think that all this means is mindless “banzai” charges, I think that the point is more subtle than that. This idea applies to your personal mindset as a warrior, not to military planning and “risk mitigation”. Plan operations to reduce as much risk as possible, make your tactical decisions to increase your odds of survival, live your life so that you are not needlessly placing your life in jeopardy, but when the time comes to act you have to ACT without clouding your thoughts with worry over your survival

Sometimes the only way out is through.

 

are you a warrior?

A fellow LEO over at Trigger Pull Tactical posted this piece titled, Are You A True Warrior?

Webster’s dictionary describes a warrior as: “A person who shows or has shown great vigor, courage, or aggressiveness, as in politics or athletics.” I laugh as I type this because I just know some pussy who’s never held a gun, much less shot one, wrote that definition. I laugh at how society of today terms a warrior as a politician or athlete. I’m not taking anything away from our modern day athletes, but just because they fly around a football field hitting each other ruthlessly, that doesn’t make them warriors. The NFL and other sports sure as hell are not war. I cringe when I hear some overbearing, self indulgent athlete talking about the WAR on Sundays! They have no idea what it’s like to wear a uniform and bullet proof vest then go out to patrol Kabul, Baghdad, New York City, Chicago, or L.A., not knowing if they’ll come home that night.

Now go read the whole thing.

 

How To Live: Principles and Precepts

An excellent post from a friend of this blog over at; William The Coroner’s Forensic Files. It’s about living a life “worth believing in”.

Read it, learn it, live it.

 

the book of five rings audio

Follow the link to YouTube for the remainder of the episodes.

 

yeah Im a Tolkien nerd….

Hello. My names Tom and Im a Tolkien geek.

I have been a fan of Tolkien since I picked up a copy of the Hobbit at the local library when I was a grade schooler and have read the Trilogy every few years ever since. I even packed a copy to take with me on deployment. The scene above is one of my favorite parts. Theoden, an aging king is answering a call for aid from an ancestral ally. It is a battle he knows is hopeless. Drastically outnumbered, he goes anyway. This passage in the book has always spoken to me. It speaks of duty, honor, courage,  good vs evil and standing up for what is right against all odds.

The film of course took liberties with the original text and it wasn’t quite portrayed “the way I saw it in my imagination”, but I still get that hair prickling on the back of my neck feeling when I watch it.

Then suddenly Merry felt it at last, beyond doubt: a change. Wind was in his face! Light was glimmering. Far, far away, in the South the clouds could be dimly seen as remote grey shapes, rolling up, drifting: morning lay beyond them.

But at that same moment there was a flash, as if lightning had sprung from the earth beneath the City. For a searing second it stood dazzling far off in black and white, its topmost tower like a glittering needle; and then as the darkness closed again there came rolling over the fields a great boom.

At that sound the bent shape of the king sprang suddenly erect. Tall and proud he seemed again; and rising in his his stirrups he cried in a loud voice, more clear than any there had ever heard a mortal man achieve before:

Arise, arise, Riders of Théoden!
Fell deeds awake: fire and slaughter!
Spear shall be shaken, shield be splintered,
A sword-day, a red day, ere the sun rises!

Ride now, ride now! Ride to Gondor!

With that he seized a great horn from Guthláf his banner-bearer, and he blew such a blast upon it that it burst asunder. And straightaway all the horns in the host were lifted up in music, and the blowing of the horns of Rohan in that hour was like a storm upon the plain and a thunder in the mountains.

Ride now, ride now! Ride to Gondor!

Suddenly the king cried to Snowmane and the horse sprang away. Behind him his banner blew in the wind, white horse upon a field of green, but he outpaced it. After him thundered the knights of his house, but he was ever before them. Éomer rode there, the white horsetail on his helm floating in this speed, and the front of the first éored roared like a breaker foaming to the shore, but Théoden could not be overtaken. Fey he seemed, or the battle-fury of his fathers ran like new fire in his veins, and he was borne up on Snowmane like a god of old, even as Oromë the Great in the battle of the Valar when the world was young. His golden shield was uncovered, and lo! it shone like an image of the Sun, and the grass flamed into green about the white feet of his steed. For morning came, morning and a wind from the sea; and darkness was removed, and the host of Mordor wailed, and terror took them, and they fled, and died, and the hoofs of wrath rode over them. And then all the host of Rohan burst into song, and they sang as they slew, for the joy of battle was on them, and the sound of their singing that was fair and terrible came even to the City.

 

victimhood, revenge, forgiveness and mindset

Image by syvwlch via Flickr

Published in the 1920’s, The Tales of the Samurai was a collection of stories transcribed by Asataro Miyamori and was subtitled “Stories Illustrating Bushido, the Moral Principles of Japanese Knighthood”.It has recently been released for “fair-use” non-comercial purposes so I will be utilizing it as a source from time to time.

The following story is titled Ungo-Zenji . It takes an interesting perspective on what it means to be a victim, how the desire for revenge can take over ones life and how even such base desires can be used as a tool to transcend and improve oneself if you look at life from a different perspective.

IT was snowing fast.

Already as far as eye could see the world was covered with a vast silvery sheet. Hill and dale, tree and field, all alike clothed in virgin white. Caring nothing for the bitter cold, but loving the beautiful, Date Masamune determined to go out to enjoy the scene. Accordingly, accompanied by a few attendants, he wended his way to a pavilion set on a low hill in the castle grounds whence an extensive view, embracing the whole of his little fief of Osaki, could be obtained.

In later life Masamune distinguished himself by signal service rendered to the state, eventually becoming one of the greatest daimios in Japan, under lyeyasu, the first Shogun, but at this time Osaki was his sole estate, and his income did not exceed 1 00,000 koku of rice a year. “What an enchanting picture! What can compare with a snow landscape? ” he exclaimed, as he stood enraptured, gazing with delight from the balcony of the pavilion at the pure loveliness of the scene before him. “It is said that snow foretells a fruitful year. When the harvest is abundant great is the rejoicing of the people, and peace and prosperity reign over the land! “

While his lordship thus soliloquized, Heishiro, the sandal-bearer Makabe Heishiro as he was called from his birthplace, Makabe in Hitachi, a surname being a luxury unknown to the third estate waited without. Having adjusted his master’s footgear there was nothing more to do till he should come out again. But presently Heishiro observed that the snovvflakes fell and lay somewhat thick on his valuable charge. He hastened to brush them off with his sleeve, but more flakes fell, and again the geta (clogs) were covered with icy particles. “

This will never do,” he said to himself. ” His lordship disdains to wear tabi (socks) even in the coldest weather, deeming it a mark of effeminacy ; should he place his bare feet on these damp geta he will assuredly catch cold. I must keep them warm and dry for him.” So the good fellow in the kindness of his simple heart took up the heavy wooden clogs, and putting them in the bosom of his garment next his skin, continued his patient waiting.

“His lordship comes!”

Heishiro had just time to put the geta straight on the large stone step at the entrance before the double doors slid open right and left and Masamune appeared, young, imperious.

He slipped his feet on to the geta. How was this? They felt warm to his touch! How could that be in such freezing weather? There could be but one explanation. That lazy lout of a sandal-bearer had been using them as a seat sitting on the honourable footgear of his august master! The insufferable insolence of the fellow!

In a passion at the supposed insult he caught the offender by the nape of his neck, and shook him violently, exclaiming between his set teeth, ” You scoundrel ! How dared you defile my geta by sitting on them! You have grossly insulted me behind my back! Villian, take that!”

Catching up one of the clogs which he had kicked off, he struck the poor servitor a heavy blow between the eyes, which caused him to reel stunned and bleeding to the ground. Then hurling the companion geta at his prostrate victim, he strode proudly back to the castle, barefooted, for he was in too great a rage to wait until another pair of geta could be brought. No one stayed to look after Heishiro. None cared what became of him. For some time he lay as he had fallen, but presently the cold brought him back to consciousness, and he rose slowly and with difficulty to his feet.

He picked up the geta with which he had been struck, and with tears mingling with the blood on his face gazed at it mournfully for a few moments. Then, as the thought of his master’s injustice came over him, he gnashed his teeth in impotent rage.

“Haughty brute, that you are, Masamune,” he muttered,” you shall pay for this! The bond between us as lord and vassal has snapped for ever. I have been one of the most devoted of your humble servants, but now I will never rest till I have had my revenge on you for this cruel treatment! “

Then Heishiro again put the geta into his bosom, though with how different an intention from before, and descending the hill on the side furthest from the castle, limped painfully away.

From that time forth the man had but one idea to wreak condign vengeance on the arrogant noble who had so abused his kindness.

 

know what you have to work with

While reading the Hagakure I noticed this passage:

Lord Katsushige always used to say that there are four kinds of retainers. They are the “quick, then lagging,” the “lagging, then quick,” the “continually quick,” and the ”continually lagging.” The “continually quick” are men who when given orders will undertake their execution quickly and settle the matter well. Fukuchi Kichizaemon and the like resemble this type. The “lagging, then quick” are men who, though lacking in understanding when given orders, prepare quickly and bring the matter to a conclusion. I suppose that Nakano Kazuma and men similar are like this. The “quick, then lagging” are men who when given orders seem to be going to settle things but in their preparation take time and procrastinate. There are many people like this. Other than these, one could say that the rest are ”continually lagging.”

After a few years of being a supervisor I can see the truth in this.

 

jack of all trades?

Image via Wikipedia

I just read this passage from the Hagakure:

There are many people who, by being attached to a martial art and taking apprentices, believe that they have arrived at the full stature of a warrior. But it is a regrettable thing to put forth much effort and in the end become an “artist.” In artistic technique it is good to learn to the extent that you will not be lacking. In general, a person who is versatile in many things is considered to be vulgar and to have only a broad knowledge of matters of importance.

The way I read it, Yamamoto Tsunetomo was saying that some people look at teaching, practicing or dedicating themselves in a martial art as the pinnacle of “warriorship” but that becoming an “artist” and being a “warrior” are two different things.

He furthermore says that when learning “artistic technique” it is good to learn only enough to be proficient, but he says that only having a broad knowledge of matters of importance is “vulgar”.

I am a bit confused by this passage. The first part, where he says that it would be “regrettable” to become an artist, I think I understand. It seems to me that he is saying “look..a warrior USES martial arts to accomplish his goals…martial arts do not define the warrior. Don’t get so involved in practicing the martial arts that you forget what your job is.”

I tend to agree with that sentiment. I have stated repeatedly in my writings here that I think that simply teaching or training in a martial art doesnt place you in the “warrior class“. If you want to BE a warrior, you have to get out there and put your ass on the line FOR something. Enlist, become a Fireman, an EMT, a cop, join the Peace Corps…get out there and DO something. Even if you have no martial arts experience I believe that you are closer to being a “warrior” than someone who goes to the corner dojo twice a week.

The people who hone their martial skills, the citizens who attend every firearms school from Blackwater to Gunsite…they are training in the “warrior arts” or perhaps trying to live “AS a warrior”, which is perfectly fine and honorable. Many of them are simply enjoying a hobby, some are preparing themselves to be self-sufficient in defensive skills, and myrid other legitimate reasons. Then there are some who think that practicing the skills of the warrior somehow “makes” them a warrior, but paying to learn all the skills and techniques of a Navy SEAL isnt the “same as” BEING a Navy SEAL.

So I agree…being an “artist” and being a “warrior” are different things. Then again, perhaps I am simply interpreting this writing to match my opinion because Tsunetomo goes on to say:

In artistic technique it is good to learn to the extent that you will not be lacking. In general, a person who is versatile in many things is considered to be vulgar and to have only a broad knowledge of matters of importance.

I can read the first part  in two ways. Either he is saying; “when you are an Artist you can “get away with” learning enough so as to not be lacking”. Or he is saying; “when you are a warrior who is learning an artistic technique it is best to not waste your time honing it too much to the detriment of other skills”.

I think that the last sentence tends to support the first interpretation. As if the writer is saying “well..if you are an Artist then learning enough to get by in many skills is all well and good, but being a generalist is vulgar.”

That tends to run contrary to my understanding of what “artist” means though. I would think that the “artist” would be concerned with refining and honing every minutiae of technique, while the warrior has many skills he/she needs to do their job.

Then again perhaps the authors “artist” was different than our modern interpretation of the term. Maybe he was saying; “Martial Artists are interested in learning anything and everything to do with their art so they tend to learn just enough to be skillful in those many things. The Warrior should not worry about gaining many mediocre skills, he should focus on becoming expert at his necessary skills (i.e. swordsmanship, archery, horesmanship etc.).”

To make a modern military analogy, this is like saying a “military artist” would be someone who tries to learn about everything; artillery, airborne operations, naval operations, intelligence, infantry tactics, armor etc. As such the “military artist” gains a broad but shallow knowledge of all these skills. Its as if Tsunetomo is saying “dont be a Military Artist…focus on your infantry skills. You may not know squat about Tank Warfare but you will be an Infantry expert.”

I wish that Tsunetomo was around so I could ask him to clarify. Does anybody else have an interpretation of this passage that differs from mine?

Any way you interpret it, this passage raises some interesting thoughts about the relationship between your “mission” and your training goals.