TAKING THE FIRST STEPS

Do the difficult things while they are easy and

 do the great things while they are small.

A journey of a thousand miles

 must begin with a single step.

`                               Lao Tzu

     “Oh, that old chestnut,” one might be inclined to comment out of modern cynicism. True, this simple quotation from the Dao De Jing (道德經), may seem trite, a cliché; however, such an adage, a truism, which dates back to the 4^th century BC, holds a truth, a simple truth, that should not be so easily dismissed. As a teacher of Japanese budō, martial arts, I have often used this quotation in order to explain to new students or frustrated, disappointed students alike, that the path that they follow, be it a long one, must be taken in small steps. So it is if one chooses the path which will lead to the simplification of one’s life. Small steps are one of the keys to studying the arts, or the use of the Japanese katana (sword), playing the piano, or even learning something new on one’s computer — one foot in front of the other. Such steps need not be great steps, long steps, gigantic leaps, but only small ones. One should never rush down a path to their destination — small steps are better.

     So to, when one begins on a resolute journey toward the simplification of their life, small steps are better. Indeed, small steps means that such a passage will take time, but isn’t the rush-dash of modern life one of the very things we hope to pull ourselves away from?

     Clichéd or not, if one is able to accept this simple admonition, then they are thus freed to begin to achieve their goal of simplicity. Remember, as Confucius said, “Life is really simple, but we insist on making it complicated.”

     The first step one must take is indeed seems a simple one; yet it is deceptive. It requires discipline. To quote the Dalai Lama, “Spend some time alone every day.” Yes, alone, with no distractions; just you and your thoughts. Once one has become able to spend time just with themselves, they can progress to the next step. In that solitude, one should list for themselves the top five or six things that are most important to them in their lives. One must ask one’s self honestly, what is most important to them? What is of the most value to them? What five or six things do they most want to do in and with their life? The process of simplification begins with the setting of such priorities. One should ask, “How can I make room for these priorities? How can I make the time?”

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SHISEI-DO DOJO: Defining Who We Are.

SHISEI-DO DŌJŌ : Defining Who We Are

SHISEI-DO DŌJŌ : The Meaning of Dōjō?

Dōjō (道場 ) is a Japanese term which simply means “place of the way,” and can refer to a formal place of training for any Dō or Japanese art.  Classically, the dōjō has been regarded as the formal place for students of Budō or Japanese martial arts to train in, but certainly, the education and training offered within a dōjō need not be limited to martial arts but can instead be (and often is) more spiritual, introspective or meditative in nature.

SHISEI-DO DŌJŌ : The Meaning of Shisei-Dō

至 誠

The name Shisei-Dō Dōjō is based upon the words and teachings of one of Japan’s greatest intellectuals and educators, Yoshida Shōin (吉田 松陰) who lived and died a premature death during the last days of the Tokugawa Shōgunate, a time of great political and social upheaval.

He once wrote: 

Shisei ni shite ugokkazaru mono wa, immadakore arazarunari

The first word in the quotation, shisei, is key to what we believe at the Shisei-Dō Dōjō and it is why we exist. Shi (至) means the height of or the ultimate in something; sei (誠) refers to what is called "heart's blood", unaffected or unrestrained sincerity, wholeheartedness, eagerness, or enthusiasm. Do (道) means the path or the way.

For us then, Shisei-Dō  (至誠道) is the way of the height of enthusiasm in each project we undertake and the way we live. Everything we do, everything we study and teach here, whether it is Amatai no Shugo-ryū Aikijutsū, Iaido, Wa-Dō, or how to find peace, harmony and prosperity in our lives, is a work of love, done with the greatest enthusiasm.

Shisei ni shite ugokkazaru mono wa, imadakore arazarunari.

"If one has shise to do something, if one does something with shisei, if one does not forget shisei when one does something, one can accomplish anything."

-Yoshida Shōin

AN INTRODUCTION TO WA: An Application to Business and Commerce in the Modern World

 AN INTRODUCTION TO WA:

An Application to Business and Commerce in the Modern World

Wa, a traditional concept unique to Japan and derived from the ancient meaning of peace and harmony, which today can be regarded as close associations or “circles”, is the key to Japanese economic success because it gives them a significant advantage over Western nations. In Japan, employees and managers function in human orientated "circles" instead of the series of horizontal layers favored by Western management:

. . . Wa incorporates mutual trust between management and labor, unselfish cooperation between management and labor, harmonious relations among employees on all levels, unstinting loyalty to the company, mutual responsibility, job security, freedom from competitive pressure from other employees, and collective responsibility for both decisions and results.

Boye DeMente, Japanese Etiquette and Ethics in Business,

1993, NTC Publishing Group.

As we will see in future articles, the Way of Wa, or Wa-Dō, and all it has to offer extends well beyond business and commerce and can be applied directly to our everyday lives and how we relate to ourselves, our friends and family, and our community.

Konosuke Matsushita codified Wa into seven objectives called the Way of Wa:

Seven Commandments of "Wa":

• National Service Through Industry
• Harmony
• Cooperation
• Struggle for Betterment
• Courtesy and Humility
• Adjustment and Assimilation
• Gratitude