It seems to be rather trifling to emphasize the alarming rate of addiction without addressing the issue properly. It is also rather unfortunate when a drug addict, after a couple of times in treatment, and is showing signs of obvious improvement, ends up relapsing once they leave a treatment center. [Read more…] about Benefits Of Holistic Addiction Treatment
What Samurai Philosophy Can Teach You About Modern Life Part 2
This is the second part of our Samurai philosophy series. See Part One: What Samurai Philosophy Can Teach You About Modern Life 1
The Samurai philosophy is composed of universal lessons and timeless truths to live by. It’s not surprising to see that they are as relevant now as they were then. But the abstruse and lengthy prose of medieval Japanese philosophers presents a challenge. Bushido or the Samurai code of moral principles, according to educator and diplomat Nitobe, consists of eight virtues. Here are four of them, explained in simple and concise concepts.
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If we could all learn from them, and use them as a way of life, there would be much less discord and hostility among communities and countries.
4 Virtues of the Samurai philosophy
1. Rectitude and Justice
[bctt tweet=”Rectitude is one’s power to decide upon a course of conduct in accordance with reason, without wavering; to die when to die is right, to strike when to strike is right. – anonymous Japanese Samurai” username=”thedailyminder”]
Rectitude to the Samurai is better known to us as moral integrity. It is adherence to the moral values we believe in, the foundation of which is love. Therefore, our love for others govern our fundamental behavior, even during times when that behavior goes against what is currently popular.
With rectitude, we don’t use words and deeds that demean and humiliate others. We don’t engage in underhanded dealings and crooked business practices to enrich ourselves. We avoid falsehoods, refrain from unfair criticisms, dishonesty, and other hurting actions. We are kind even to those who have hurt us, while at the same time we seek justice.
2. Benevolence and Compassion
[bctt tweet=”Rectitude carried to excess hardens into stiffness; benevolence indulged beyond measure sinks into weakness. – Date Masamune” username=”thedailyminder”]
The Samurai philosophy of benevolence, manifested as altruistic acts of kindness to those in distress, is likened to compassion in the modern-day world. Compassion is an awareness of the sufferings of another, and a deep desire to relieve that person of his suffering. More than the desire to help, compassion should go hand in hand with action.
But our kind acts to the destitute and to those who are hurting should be done mindfully. Benevolence should not be bestowed recklessly, lest we are abused by greedy and unprincipled individuals or groups
3. Politeness
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In the Western world, politeness does not rank as high a quality as empathy, gratitude, generosity, etc. But in Samurai philosophy, being polite is a noble virtue. It is our outward expression of our respect for the dignity of other people. Politeness is not about social etiquette, like knowing which fork to use at a guest’s dinner table. It’s about gentle behavior, about being able to maintain composure in the face of rudeness, even if the rude behavior deserves to be called out.
Politeness is not obsequiousness or sycophancy. It’s being able to exchange differing points of view with civility, without insulting or demeaning the other person. Moreover, the constant application of polite behavior in our daily lives leads to the development of a strong moral person. A calm mind, a placid temper, and a quiet demeanor lay the groundwork for ethical actions, thoughts and feelings.
4. Courage
[bctt tweet=”If you fear death, you will die. – an old Samurai saying.” username=”thedailyminder”]
In Bushido, courage was essential for its Samurai warriors, In contemporary setting, it’s being afraid yet doing what we believe is right. Sometimes, what is right may also be unpopular. Physical courage when faced with a threat is bravery. Moral courage is integrity and righteousness – sticking to our values and beliefs regardless of social disapproval. It’s the perseverance to continue when we must contend with challenging circumstances.
Courage is seen in the women who spoke out against sexual harassment in a field where male power dominates, and suffered loss of jobs and image. It’s talking to your boss or quitting your job when the company’s strategies conflict with your own values. Everyday life presents a myriad of situations where your courage, or lack of it, will be put to the test.
Related reading: 10 Quotes to Give You Courage
The Samurai philosophy of courage as a virtue is necessary for our personal and professional development. It drives us to achieve our goals. It strengthens our self-confidence, and fortifies our authenticity to our own selves so that we can stick to our convictions.
Growing Through Grief: About My Father
My father was a Vietnam veteran who suffered from PTSD. A part of me always grieves for him, for how he suffered and how his illness affected our family. And a part of me will always grieve for the little girl whose father came back from war a stranger, and for the relationship we never got to have.
His illness took him away from me, from his family, from the man he was before. [Read more…] about Growing Through Grief: About My Father
Are You Sabotaging Your Own Life?
You may be on a path to self-sabotage without knowing it. Dictionaries define sabotage as willful acts of destroying something or someone so that it does not work or succeed.
If your destructive actions are directed towards yourself, that’s self-sabotage. People resort to these types of behavior as coping mechanisms to deal with pressures or external demands, or to maintain their comfort zones because of feelings of unworthiness.
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How to Turn Conflict Into a Personal Development Tool
Conflict conveys gloom and negativism, making it seem an unlikely medium as a personal development tool. That’s because our general concept of achieving personal growth is acquiring skills and cultivating attitudes through formal classes, life experiences, strategies and outlooks that are acceptable to society. But conflict, unwelcome as it is, does have its uses, if viewed from a slightly offbeat perspective. [Read more…] about How to Turn Conflict Into a Personal Development Tool
Meditation and Addiction Recovery
Many have long known through experience that meditation makes life better. And now, that fact is well-documented scientifically with impressive findings. For people in addiction recovery, the research is particularly promising. The effects of regular meditation can dramatically improve many of the residual effects of an addiction after detox.
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