Eating Bitter

The phrase "Eating Bitter" is a term commonly used in China, particularly in practing Gung Fu or martial arts.  Its definition lies in the belief that through hard work and pain, success and strength are the result.  There is a Chinese proverb which states, "You cannot know sweetness until you have eaten bitterness."

Learning martial arts, especially in a traditional sense, is not easy.  The body and the mind are often pushed to limits which are quite uncomfortable.  The teacher may break you down to rebuild you into something new, and your body will be bruised, bleeding and sprained.  Through this we may know discipline and end up befriending it, learning from it, and using it in our daily life. Not unlike what the military does to us.


In Gung Fu and Taiji, the forms are meant to be "moving meditation," entering what is known by Buddhists as Samadhi. Samadhi is becoming one with the practice, focusing the entire mind on one thing.  This is not easy, but that's why it is a practice.  The martial arts, I understand, are not for everybody, but there are many lessons from the practice that can be applied to life.

We as people "eat bitter" often in our daily lives.  Our jobs may become intensely difficult, our home life may become stressful, and so forth.  We learn from suffering, and value the sweetness of the lesson.  Suffering brings enlightenment.

Kokoro no Maki (Book of the Heart)

The following is a very inspiring text I found while reading a book titled Budo Secrets.  While researching the text, I was unsuccessful in locating the author, and date of its composition. It is originally from Japan.  I believe it is full of advice and reminders of how to liberate ourselves from suffering and attachment.  I hope you'll enjoy it as much as I do.

Kokoro No Maki - Book of the Heart
When the heart is full of things, the body feels constrained; when it is empty, the body feels expansive.
When there is too much reserve in the heart, love and respect are lost; when it is free of reserve, love and respect are gained.
When the heart is full of base passion, principles are forgotten; when it is free of base passion, principles are remembered. 
When the heart is set on gaudy things, appearances are falsified; when it is free of artifice, appearances are real.
When the heart is full of pride, others are begrudged; when it is free of pride, others are respected.
When the heart is full of oneself, others are doubted; when it is selfless, others are trusted.
When the heart is full of error, others appear frightening; when it is free of error, there is nothing to fear.
When the heart is full of obstructions, others are harmed; when it is free of obstructions, no one is harmed.
When the heart is full of covetousness, others are flattered; when it is free of covetousness there is no need to flatter.
When the heart is full of anger, words are spoken harshly; when it is free of anger, words are pacific.
When the heart is full of patience, everything can be set in order; when it is not patient, everything collapses.
When the heart is full of self-importance, the goodness of others is ignored; when it is free of self-importance the goodness of others is appreciated.
When the heart is full of greed, requests are endless; when it is free of greed, nothing extra is needed.
When the heart is full of illusion, others are blamed; when it is free of illusion, no one is scorned.
When the heart is full of sincerity, contentment is easy; when it is not sincere, there will be no contentment.
 

Seven Virtues of Bushido: Gi

Gi: Right action, Justice
Honesty with all people, doing the right action for others and yourself (not because it's easy, but because it's ethically and morally correct), belief in fair justice.


Truth will out.  By sticking to our moral code of honesty and right action, what fear do we have?   As a Chinese proverb says "A clear mind never fears midnight knocking."  Also, if one tempers with correct justice, one doesn't "lose face."  
Believe in justice for those who fall victim to the evil of others.  Remain loyal to your family, spouses, friends, and brethren.  

Plum Blossoms

It's winter time in Iowa once again.  If you know Iowa, you know blistering wind-chills, two-feet-deep snow, and scraping the windshield every morning before work.
This time of year also reminds me of a quote by Hakudo Nakayama:

Plum blossoms open because of the frost and snow.

 

 This is a beautiful metaphor that sometimes the hardest and roughest times bring out the best of us.  I can think of many times in my own life that this has proved to be very true.  How about you?