Grrrr

So, I am taking another little break (I know, I haven't posted in forever and then I only do one on the book and another on a soap-box) from the usual fare and I am going to rant... only a little.

You see, I have a gym in a town in the Midwest and like all towns in the Midwest they have a newspaper that is run by idiots. You see, I don't submit anything to them any more because I send 12 people to a world championship and they don't print a word of it, not a single word. However, the front page can have some dopey person with face paint or better yet, they print an article (with a picture, mind you) of this group of, well, I am not sure what to call them. I myself and a D & D geek from way back, but these douche-bags are like a totally different level of social retard.

You see these guys dress up in costumes and fight each other with foam weapons. Yeah, you got it. For a visual reference check out the movie Darkon. Only, these guys weren't as cool.

I grow so weary of the morons that run newspapers these days. Maybe it's because the newspaper is an obsolete media and no one worth a damn wants to tether themselves to a sinking ship...

7

Sagara Kyuma was completely at one with his master and served him as though his own body were already dead. He was one man in a thousand.
Once there was an important meeting at Master Sakyo's Mizugae Villa, and it was commanded that Kyuma was to commit seppuku. At that time, in Osaki there was a tea-house on the third floor of the suburban residence of Master Taku Nui. Kyuma rented this, and gathering together all the good-for-nothings in Saga, he put on a puppet show, operating one of the puppets himself, carousing and drinking all day and night. Thus, overlooking Master Sakyo's villa, he carried on and caused a great disturbance.. In instigating this disaster he gallantly thought only of his master and was resolved to committing suicide.

(There is a note on this saying he may have been trying to cover up some crime or something of a similar nature for his master.)

This falls into the context of how a master looks viewed from the public or from their superiors and/or colleagues. The role of the student to their master is that of sacrifice for them to save face. Consider this; which is it better to have look a fool? A student with limited experiences or a master with years or decades of experience? As a master, a person is put into a position of having to appear infallible, although we are all still human and make mistakes.

and 6

We learn about the sayings and deeds of the men of old in order to entrust ourselves to their wisdom and prevent selfishness. When we throw off our own bias, follow the sayings of the ancients, and confer with other people, matters should go well and without mishap. Lord Katsushige borrowed the wisdom of Lord Naoshige. This is mentioned in the Ohanashikikigaki. We should be grateful for his concern.

Moreover, there was a certain man who engaged a number of his younger brothers as retainers, and whenever he visited Edo or the Kamigata area, he would have them accompany him. As he consulted with them everyday on both private and public matters, it is said that he was without mishap.

Again, consulting with others, but with the added twist of studying the ancients and keeping them close in mind. I suppose it is the same as not repeating history so to speak. I think that a simple way to put this one is to say "even the wisest of men understands that there are always other views and perspectives."

Number 5 ...

Because we do most things relying only on our own sagacity we become self-interested , turn our backs on reason, and things do not turn out well. As seen by other people this is sordid, weak, narrow and inefficient. When one is not capable of true intelligence, it is good to consult with someone of good sense. An advisor will fulfill the Way when he makes a decision by selfless and frank intelligence because he is not personally involved. This way of doing things will certainly be seen by others as being strongly rooted. It is, for example, like a large tree with many roots. One man's intelligence is like a tree that has been simply stuck in the ground.

This passage is fairly self evident. It is more than two heads are better than one. It says, in simplest terms, sometimes one is too close to the problem and needs some perspective and insight from someone else. There is a lot of truth in this, however I would warn someone against getting too many people's "opinions" as they will expect you to follow their advice.

Number 4

According to their nature, there are both people who have quick intelligence, and those who must withdraw and take time to think things over. Looking into this thoroughly, if on thinks selflessly and adheres to the four vows of the Nabeshima samurai, surprising wisdom will occur regardless of the high or low points of one's nature.*
People think that they can clear up profound matters if they consider them deeply, but they exercise perverse thoughts and come to no good because they do their reflecting with only self-interest at the center.
It is difficult for a fool's habits to change to selflessness. In confronting a matter, however, if at first you leave it alone, fix the four vows in you heart, exclude self-interest, and make an effort, you will not go far from your mark.

*Never to be outdone in the way of the samurai, To be of good use to the master, To be filial to my parents, To manifest great compassion, and to act for the sake of man.

This another great entry. As a people, we tend to over think things. A lot of different disciplines have their tenets or regulations (taekwondo included) and as a martial artist one has to keep these in mind when making a decision. If your thinking is clear and you are focused on what your your rules to live by would be, the decision becomes plain and obvious. This is something we are also taught.

Number 3...At long last...

OK, I feel the need to have a disclaimer. I apologize to everyone that may read this in the distant future for the gap in posts. Life happens.

A man is a good retainer to the extent that he earnestly places importance in his master. This is the highest sort of retainer. If on is born into a prominent family that goes back for generations, it is sufficient to deeply consider the matter of obligation to one's ancestors, to lay down one's body and mind, and to earnestly esteem one's master. It is further good fortune if, more than this, one has wisdom and talent and can use them appropriately. But even a person who is good for nothing and exceedingly clumsy will be a reliable retainer if only he has the determination to think earnestly of his master. Having only wisdom and talent is the lowest tier of usefulness.

This is a great passage for any martial artist at any age/generation/era/stage. As a young fighter it is difficult to come to terms with someone being your equal or superior when your talents or knowledge seemingly exceed theirs. However, as it states very plainly "Having only wisdom and talent is the lowest tier of usefulness." This aches truth.

Not every student will be great at any one thing or even anything at all. As a diverse group of people we have just as diverse talents or lack of talent. But loyalty, following your master, and protecting that master with yourself, this is a good student. This is a good future leader. As in the last passage, we must continuously be prepared for death and in such, must prepare our "retainers" or students to take our place if necessary. How better to prepare them to follow your own master than to have them follow you?

This gets to the heart of things.