In July of last year I posted an article entitled, “Bushido: The Way of the Warrior.” In that post, I attempted to convey my understanding of the samurai ethic of Bushido (literally, the "Way of the Warrior"). Here are excerpts from the post which contain its essence:
The starting point for shifting one's point of view to mirror that of a warrior's begins with recognizing and accepting one's own impending death. Recognition and acceptance of that fact not only focuses the mind on the value of every moment but also frees one from all illusions of permanence and the fear and attachment that naturally follows...
With the acceptance of his own death, then, and the conclusion of the play already determined, the warrior is now free to act in the most impeccable manner, without fear of failure or an ounce of hesitation. That freedom actually results in the flawless execution of every act and, ironically, creates the greatest possibility of success in any endeavor.
I. Correcting the Record
I have come to realize that my understanding of what it means to be samurai and, accordingly, to follow the Way of the Warrior, were severely lacking. At the time, my understanding of the purpose of accepting one's death was limited only to its practical application in action. I failed to see the Way's higher meaning. I will now attempt to correct the record.
To help understand the true function of a samurai’s acceptance of his own death, we must first explore the greater circumstance in which we find ourselves. With that established, its function will become apparent.
II. The Inner War - The Cosmic Struggle within Ourselves
Our lives are filled with challenges. Sometimes it seems as if we are in a constant struggle with people and situations that seem to know how to find the weak links in our armor. While this interpretation is natural and easy to accept, it is an illusion - for many of our struggles in the world are merely dramas within which actors are playing important roles, that can illuminate the ultimate battle each of us has to fight within ourselves – the battle against our own Darkness.
And this Inner War may even serve a greater purpose than we realize; for the struggle within ourselves may only be a microcosm of a larger conflict – one battle in a larger war.
According to the ancient religion of Zoroastrianism, the Universe is the battleground of a cosmic struggle between the forces of Ahura Mazda, the Creator of truth and order, and the forces of Ahriman, who represents chaos and destruction. Man has an active role to play in the conflict and his actions can serve to further the interests of either side. As such, it is his responsibility to conquer the evil within himself and do his part.
A similar concept can be found in the Kabbalah, the mystical tradition of Judaism, in which Armageddon is not the battle at the End of Times but rather the War between Gog and Magog, the battle between Light and Darkness, that takes places in every soul.
Now that the context of the battle has been established, this next part will deal with the struggle itself.
III. Peace
The television show, Highlander, brilliantly portrayed this struggle and its resolution in a three-part episode in which MacLeod faced an ancient Zoroastrian demon named Ahriman, who only appears once every thousand years and against whom a champion is chosen to fight. The fate of the world rests upon the champion's successful defeat of Ahriman in this cosmic cycle. Ahriman takes the physical form of many of MacLeod's friends and foes, confusing and enraging him, and after taunting him extensively, seems invincible. The more MacLeod struggles, the more he seems powerless to stop Ahriman. Finally, MacLeod realizes that the demon is deriving its power from his own hatred and anger and he understands that in order to defeat Ahriman, he must defeat the darkness within his own self.
In the final confrontation, the demon appears and offers MacLeod various weapons, urging him to exploit the hate that he has for the demon and to strike him down. MacLeod rejects the offer, instead doing qi gong breathing exercises to cultivate peace within himself. In the scene that follows, MacLeod is seen resisting the attacks of the various manifestations of the demons, negating them with the movements of his breathing exercises. MacLeod is heard saying:
"I become one with everything...I become one with you...Because I am everything I am nothing...Because I am nothing you are nothing...Without my anger, you have no substance...Without my pride, you have no form...Without my hate...you have no being."
In a final attack the demon lunges at MacLeod, who is in a deep meditative state, and against whom the attack is useless. Ahriman recognizes he has been defeated and becomes furious. MacLeod simply crouches down along a wall and says, “It's time for you to leave. You have no place here,” to which Ahriman says, “I'll always be a part of you.” MacLeod, smiling, answers, “You always were.” With that Ahriman is defeated in this iteration of the 1,000-year cycle.
A similar concept is portrayed in Star Wars Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back. Luke Skywalker is training to be a Jedi with Master Yoda on the swampy planet Dagobah when he hears something coming from a nearby cave. Curious, he goes to investigate further. Turning to Yoda, who is quietly looking down and waiting, he says, “What's in there?” “Only what you take with you,” Yoda replies. Skywalker straps on his belt with his light saber. Yoda, without looking up, says, “You will not need them.” Disregarding the advice, Skywalker then enters the cave and is confronted with the image of Darth Vader. In fear, he draws his own light saber and strikes at Vader, whom he beheads. Vader's head rolls onto the ground and the mask burns off revealing Skywalker's own face. He is then forced to confront the fact that Vader's evil is a part of himself.
Luke Skywalker confronts his own darkness in The Empire Strikes Back. Click here to watch the scene.
Before he leaves to rescue his friends, Yoda warns Skywalker about the dangers that await him. He says, “Remember, a Jedi's strength flows from the Force. But beware. Anger, fear, aggression. The dark side are they. Once you start down the dark path, forever will it dominate your destiny.”
The cartoon Samurai Jack also portrayed this struggle in a brilliant manner. An unusually intelligent show, its dramatization of the struggle against one's own darkness was nothing short of perfect. In one particular episode, Jack is confronted by his evil twin. In the final showdown he meets his nemesis in a clearing of trees. Jack unleashes a furious attack on his opponent who counters every blow with ease and who becomes increasingly pleased to see Jack becoming more and more enraged and frustrated. Finally, consumed by fury, he launches a ferocious attack. Jack, locked blade-to-blade, sees his own reflection in the steel, and is horrified by what he has become.
Samurai Jack Sees Himself in the Mirror
He disengages, ties his hair back in a top-knot, sheaths his sword, and puts his hands together in prayer. His Dark Side, realizing that Jack has figured out the secret to defeating him, makes one final attack in the hopes that Jack will lose himself in his own anger. Jack, though, maintains his inner peace and his Dark Side, having lost the source from which it derived its power, is vanquished.
Our own Darkness is a far more formidable enemy than any external foe we will ever face. But victory over it is necessary if we are to be of any use. It is a battle that requires determination, fearlessness, and conviction. As Yoda tells Skywalker, “A Jedi must have the deepest commitment, the most serious mind.”
IV. Bushido: A Way of Life Through Death
Having struggled with his own darkness and mastered himself, the samurai realizes that his pre-occupation with his own well-being is nothing more than self-indulgence – the shadows created by his own fear, anger, and pride. Aside from serving himself, they hold no greater purpose. It is here that accepting one’s own death comes into play. The shadows of self-indulgence disappear when he has accepted that he is already dead. With nothing to gain, and nothing to lose, all that remains is his duty.
The Spirit of the Samurai: Tatsuya Nakadai in Samurai Rebellion
It is at this point that the samurai is truly a force to be reckoned with. Having discarded thoughts of himself and his own well-being, he can commit the entirety of his focus to fulfilling his responsibility: service to others.
Accepting his own death, then, he is now free to act with absolute commitment to his purpose, unhindered by thoughts of himself. He is no longer a mere soldier. He is a warrior.
Cherry Blossoms in the Spring
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