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October 26, 2009
Number 52 |
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Greetings!
"Ki Inspiring Thoughts" is a free weekly email service provided by The Center For Humane Living. The messages are intended to be shared. Please feel free to forward this message to anyone you would like to inspire to live a more peaceful and compassionate life.
 
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"Notice that the stiffest tree is most easily cracked, while the bamboo or willow survives by bending with the wind."
Bruce Lee |
Bamboo is another common metaphor used to explain the way we as martial artists and peaceful warriors should strive to live. It symbolizes many of the virtues of the true warrior. Bamboo is a ubiquitous occurring evergreen plant in areas of China, Japan and Korea. In fact, in China it is the symbol for longevity. Bamboo is actually a large member of the grass family which explains its structure. Bamboo comes in many varieties all of which possess similar characteristics. The shoots or culms of the plant are thin walled and hollow, they grow in segments and primarily produce leaves near the top of their structure. Bamboo is very flexible and when the hollow interior of the plant is filled with water the very flexible plant becomes sturdy and strong.
The flexibility that the bamboo plant displays makes it very adept at adapting to its environment. When the bamboo plant is faced with a forceful wind the bamboo gracefully and easily bends in response to the force. Most trees are much stronger than the bamboo plant due to their thick trunks and firm branches. Yet, these trees are much more susceptible to wind damage because they are unable to adapt to the forces placed upon them by nature.
Bamboo is hollow inside, which for the peaceful warrior represents having an empty mind (Mushin) and no ego (Muga). It is because the bamboo is hollow that it is flexible and can adapt to any force or situation placed upon it. In the same manner we should strive to maintain an empty mind and a lack of ego or pride so that we too will be flexible enough to adapt to whatever forces or conflicts that arise within our lives. When we are inflexible and unyielding in times of conflict we are more likely to be hurt and cause pain in others. When we are mindful, open and flexible we are able to blend with the force of an attack and by doing so resolve conflict peacefully.
The culms of the bamboo are not always empty but are often filled with water. Water naturally molds to its surroundings and when it is confined within the bamboo shoot, water provides strength. The water grounds the plants similar to the manner in which our own life energy fills us from within, grounding and centering us. The culms of the plant now take on a dual purpose, providing flexibility and adaptability, but also strength and resilience. We as martial artists should allow ourselves to be flexible as we face all of the challenges in our lives, but we should also keep ourselves grounded in a strong sense of self-confidence and our own personal value system.
There are over 2000 species of bamboo some of which grow to heights of over 100 feet tall. These large varieties are some of the fastest growing plants on earth. Under ideal circumstances they can grow 20-30 inches per day. However, when you plant these remarkable bamboo species you will not see any visible growth above the ground for 30-60 days because the plants are developing an intricate root structure which is necessary to support their astounding growth. Using bamboo as an example, we as martial artists should remember the importance of building a strong foundation for our physical, emotional and philosophical growth. When we develop a firm foundation, just as the bamboo plant does, we are all capable of remarkable sustainable growth in and out of the dojang.
Probably due to the ubiquitous nature of bamboo in Asia, people have found numerous ways in which to utilize the bamboo plant. It is used for food and medicine, fodder for cattle, woven into textiles, designed into dishes and cooking utensils. Bamboo can be used as timber, for furniture, mats or even bridges. It is also employed for manufacturing paper and constructed into wonderful musical instruments. Utilizing the larger varieties of bamboo entire homes are constructed exclusively out of bamboo. As you can see bamboo is almost universally useful and valuable.
In this same spirit, we as martial artists should strive to be universally useful and helpful to everyone and everything we encounter in our lives. As we live the important warrior attribute of service we should consistently evaluate ways that we can better serve each other in order to improve the lives of those around us. We should strive to give back to our family, the community in which we live and to those to whom we are obligated. In this same frame of mind, we should consistently strive to find ways to "pay it forward" for all the blessings and gifts we have been given in our lives.
We as marital artists should strive to live our lives utilizing bamboo as our model. In doing so we will become more peaceful by maintaining our flexibility, grounding ourselves in a healthy sense of self-confidence, tapping into our inner strength, and letting go of our ego when we are faced with force or conflict. When we unselfishly give of ourselves through service our lives will not only be more peaceful but they are sure to be more meaningful and enriching for ourselves and everyone we encounter.
Empty your mind, let go of your ego and bend like bamboo, with the knowledge that you will not break and give of yourself selflessly - this is the true path of the peaceful warrior.
KAIZEN!!!!
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© 2009 Steven M. Erickson. The Center for Humane Living. All rights reserved. | |
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"He who would study Karate-Do must always strive to be inwardly humble and outwardly gentle. However, once he has decided to stand up for the cause of justice, then he must have the courage expressed in the saying, 'Even if it must be ten million foes, I go!' Thus, he is like the green bamboo stalk: hollow (kara) inside, straight, and with knots, that is, unselfish, gentle, and moderate."
Gichin Funakoshi |
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Respectfully,
Steve Erickson
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The Center for Humane Living is a non-profit organization dedicated to enhancing the personal and spiritual growth of individuals through an innovative approach to martial arts education. Our vision is to inspire all people to live peaceful and compassionate lives.
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You can send your response to Steven.Erickson@cox.net
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