I have been the family monk for several clans; births, marriages, deaths, baptisms, and dedications among the privileges to have not only been in charge of, but a witness to. Quite an honor that puts you eventually inside the grit and gristle of the hopes, dreams, expectations and disappointments of individuals trying to figure it all out as a family.
But observing the village doesn't necessarily mean you will be any good at your own journey. Oh it will give you tools and lessons if you use them, but looking outward doesn't insure you are looking inward. That is a personal responsibility.
My own father was excellent at pointing out how others ought to do things, but could never put cause and effect to his own body going off the rails.
That is not a criticism. That would make him Sensie (Teacher; the one who comes before) to this itinerant Seito (the one who receives teaching).
Eventually, ultimately, you must realize everyone is just another way to do this life, that every encounter is an opportunity to see the other as a demonstration of how you might look doing it their way. And so, everyone is a possible Sensei, for who you might want to be, or not be.
Bushido was the name for the traditional Japanese code of the Samurai warrior, which stressed courage and loyalty and self discipline and simple living.
To have Bushido, to achieve personal responsibility in your life, one must finally fore-go being the student and become the teacher. Disciplining the self then becomes a full time job because it involves your Being at every level---emotional, mental, spiritual, and physical. And it brings into play a great deal of compassion and gratitude, for yourself and for others.
But observing the village doesn't necessarily mean you will be any good at your own journey. Oh it will give you tools and lessons if you use them, but looking outward doesn't insure you are looking inward. That is a personal responsibility.
My own father was excellent at pointing out how others ought to do things, but could never put cause and effect to his own body going off the rails.
That is not a criticism. That would make him Sensie (Teacher; the one who comes before) to this itinerant Seito (the one who receives teaching).
Eventually, ultimately, you must realize everyone is just another way to do this life, that every encounter is an opportunity to see the other as a demonstration of how you might look doing it their way. And so, everyone is a possible Sensei, for who you might want to be, or not be.
Bushido was the name for the traditional Japanese code of the Samurai warrior, which stressed courage and loyalty and self discipline and simple living.
To have Bushido, to achieve personal responsibility in your life, one must finally fore-go being the student and become the teacher. Disciplining the self then becomes a full time job because it involves your Being at every level---emotional, mental, spiritual, and physical. And it brings into play a great deal of compassion and gratitude, for yourself and for others.
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