Читать книгу Traditions. Essays on the Japanese Martial Arts and Ways онлайн

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No one likes being teased or ridiculed. When we consider that the common response, to reply with equal or greater vigor, is what causes wars between nations, we realize that we need to consider other solutions. For the budoka, at least one of those solutions is found in the dojo. He finds one answer in the kind of constant, intensive training that allows him to defend himself physically should that be necessary. But he finds another solution, one which more practically strips away false pretensions and fears and fragile or bloated egos and instead leaves him with a feeling of quiet pride and self-worth that is invulnerable. The man or woman who has persevered daily, monthly, yearly through the demands placed upon them by budo training knows that they have endured unique experiences, passed tests of spirit and soul and body. With these experiences comes a knowledge that permits them to smile and to shrug off assaults on their ego as easily as Musashi killed the flies.

The ability to perceive the difference between a shot at our self-image and a dangerous attack on our self, our family, or our society and to respond accordngly is an unmistakable sign of budo mastery. As one of my sensei once so eloquently put it, “You cannot concern yourself about every little puppy dog that barks at you. Worry yourself only with those that mean to bite.”