Martial Musings: Talking or Walking The Samurai Way aka Samurai is What Samurai Does! He was persistent in finding faults, what in his view, was not the Samurai Way. He did this exquisitely well, from behind the comforting veil of the Internet, using someone elses name and borrowed authority. His childish behavior was causing havoc far beyond my little Dojo. One of my longtime students said, Sensei, what is his problem? His actions are reckless and make me very angry. How come you are not? I had learned, a long time ago, that in these crucial moments, words and decisions lay your destiny. It makes me angry but I also feel very sorry for this wannabe Samurai. The student looked at me, stunned, and then laughed out loud. Wannabe Samurai, now that is good. That is funny Sensei. Looking him straight in his eyes, with not even a hint of a smile I continued, I dont think of it as funny at all. In fact it is downright sad. Let me tell you a story, something that my MA brothers and I personally witnessed first hand. Then you will understand why I use the term wannabe Samurai. In Asia you dont just open a Dojo and thats that. When you do, other martial artists pay you a visit, usually to check your skills out. Sastri Sensei had opened the Dojo, and quite a few had visited him, including yours sincerely. You know that story well. However, there was one very well known Muay Thai champion who came by one day. He showed up and asked to see some of the techniques. One thing lead to another and he eventually had Sensei in a clinch and was going to knee him...or so we thought. But Sastri Sensei used a combination of cross blocks and Aiki Otoshi to slam him down. That Muay Thai fighter stood up, bowed and after a good conversation, respectfully left. Though he was not in our Dojo, he then became a strong supporter of it because Sensei met his challenge. A few months later about ten of us participated in a tournament and demonstration. During one match, one of our senior students was hit hard on his groin. He dropped like a rock. The referee did not call foul, fearing retaliation from the opposing fighter who was a goonda (gangster). We pushed the fighter back to protect our badly injured friend (who had to be rushed to the hospital)... and things got out of hand really fast. The student was engrossed in this tale, and I remembered the whole incident as though it were yesterday. I remember how the tension felt...so thick one could cut a knife through it. Everyone there at the demo split into three groups: one group was on the side of the goonda/gangster fighter. They began to go outside to gather their supporters. The second group consisted of Sastri Sensei surrounded by his eight or so students, including myself and the injured one. And the third group...bystanders. I continued, Two 4th Dans in other arts, well known referees in the country by the way, walked up to Sastri Sensei and me. They quietly advised us to slip out the back door when the goondas returned they could claim they didnt know where we were. Sensei was furious, both at the cowardly suggestion of these two 4th Dans, who were his students!, and at the thought of retreating from a uncalled for challenge. I remember he looked at me and two of his other black belts (I wont name them for their privacy, but they read this and are welcome to reveal themselves) and then turned to the two 4th Dans and said, I have my sword, and we are going to walk right through the front door. What will be will be. I am not afraid. There was a stunned silence from all the members there, and then they tried to reason with us. But Sensei picked his Katana, and we followed in his suit. The Muay Thai fighter I had mentioned earlier (who by now was a good friend), stood next to us with his heavy Kamagong Stick. I looked at him and he just nodded - no words were necessary. We walked right through the 200 odd participants and out of the front door ready for that fight. We got into our cars and started to drive towards the crowd that had been corralled by the gangsters. They were screaming and trying to intimidate us. Our windows came down, and we calmly flashed the steel and sticks. I remember my rapid heart pounding had given way to absolute calmness and silence. As if by magic the big crowd stepped aside and gave way to our slow moving cars. Only after we had crossed did we heard them scream again. We stopped our cars, waiting, but not one soul walked towards us. We just laughed... and drove away. We reached Senseis home and we had a long discussion. Some guys just love to talk, and derive their power from by leaning on others, and groups. They are empty inside. Never give way to that, never. Remember what I have told you a thousand times - when I get ready to fight, I tell myself am dead. Now there is nothing to lose, but they have everything to lose. This is where we test their mettle, not in their empty words or veiled threats. My students eyes were enthralled at the telling of this tale. I continued, Sensei demonstrated to me with his actions what a Samurai DOES. Not what sounds like a samurai. He was clear in his path on that day, he lead us without fear for he had made peace with his death. That to me is a Samurai. Now do you see why I call this expert a wannabe Samurai? Nothing is easier than being a critic, what is hard is carving the path, what is hard is showing up on it no matter what. I take feedback seriously from those who walk their talk. Now tell me should we worry about those who choose to criticize from behind veils, and fail to show up. Or should I follow those who lead from the front. The student nodded. Aye Sensei. Being a Samurai isnt about talking the talk, its about walking the walk. It was time to leave so I concluded YES, Authority means to author ones life, so will you let words or actions author your life?. I have chosen to continue on my path with twice the vigor. Now you decide what you want to do. The student had learnt well, much like that group of 10 had learnt from Sastri Sensei. That day Sastri Sensei forever imprinted on us what being a Samurai is. I hope to pass this on to the next generation. Remember to choose wisely who you follow, for when you emulate you take a piece of them into your soul. Train Smart, Learn Deeply, Stay Blessed Mahipal Lunia Sensei MountainViewAiki TheRenaissancePath RadicalChangeGroup #SastriSensei #Samuari #MartialMusings #MountainViewAikiKai
Posted on: Fri, 23 Jan 2015 04:10:32 +0000
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