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Martial Arts CHARACTER And the Universal Law of Interdependence - The Keys to Life Mastery, Key #2
In the philosophical teachings which form the foundation for the Ninja Warrior's lifeways, there is a principle known as the 'law of interdependence.' This so-called 'law' is not a must-do rule which one must follow, nor is it to be confused with dependence or co-dependence as it is seen today where one or more individuals who cannot or choose not to provide for themselves, lean on and 'depend' on the work and resources of another for the fulfillment of their needs. Rather, the law of interdependence is something that is to be recognized as a basic 'truth' in the world. Much like the law of gravity or cause and effect, it is something that is 'going-on,' always, regardless of whether we 'believe' in it or not. In fact, contrary to our need to believe that we are what we are, this principle in action shows us that we are more like others than we know. Unlike the law of gravity, however, which is difficult to understand and explain; interdependence is relatively easy to explain. Let's use a simple analogy to understand this 'goings-on.' We'll use something simple, like a Whopper. No, I'm not being paid to endorse a food franchise and you can feel free to substitute this item for any of a thousand others. But, for our purposes, it will do. Now, most people would agree to the connection between themselves and all of the individuals working in the restaurant at the moment you visited and placed your order for the sandwich. Someone took your order; another was busy making the product; and others made sure it found its way to a tray or bag and ultimately into your hand. In this simple view, there is an interdependent connection between you - the person who 'wants' the sandwich, and those who are making sure that you get it. Of course, seen from the viewpoint of any worker, they are mutually dependent on you, and many others throughout a day, wanting and willing to pay for a sandwich so that they can get a paycheck at the end of the week. For you: no restaurant - no sandwich. For them: no customers, no restaurant, no paycheck. But, in the words of the enigmatic guru "Morphius" from the popular movie, "The Matrix", if you really want to see "how deep the rabbit hole goes," we can look much more closely at that simple sandwich. Let's begin with the wrapper. It wasn't made there at the restaurant. It was delivered, probably by truck. Which means what? Well, where do you want to start? Driver? Truck dealership who sold it to Burger King? Truck manufacturer? Trailer manufacturer? Get the idea? For now, let's stay with the driver and truck remaining associated with the restaurant. But, already we're talking about more than just the employees working in the restaurant, aren't we. Many, if not all of them have families which will benefit from their paycheck in some way just as the company is benefiting from their desire or willingness to do the job they're doing. The wrapper itself is paper which now extends our connection to people working in the logging and paper production industries and their families. The ink does the same along those lines; and so on throughout the rest of the parts of the sandwich like the burger, vegetables, and so on. "What's the point?", I can hear you asking. "How does this relate to personal development, martial arts, self-defense or my life?" After all, aren't we different than a sandwich? I don't think it's the answer that will drive the point home as much as a question: If a burger can be made up of the materials, effort, energy, intention and connections of so many that it almost touches the lives of every other person on the planet - how can we believe that we, as so-called 'individuals,' can be any different? After all, haven't each one of us been influenced, positively or negatively, by other people, places, and situations that caused us to believe, act, and engage the world the way we do? Can you imagine how different you would be had those influences been different or not there at all? Just think about what motivated you to take up martial arts training. Regardless of whether it was for self-defense, the allure of Asian culture, or soemthing else - you were first exposed to those 'other things' - giving you your reason to take up the arts. The saying goes, "no (wo)man is an island," and it's true. No matter how much we would like to be an 'individual,' we are nonetheless, tied to every other human being on the face of the planet - if by no other means than the water we drink and the air we breath. The law of interdependence teaches us to recognize the value in all things and to treat everything as though it were 'me.' Only then can one be sure that we are not acting in an egotistical, self-serving way that will harm, alienate, or hinder ourselves or others. What does this have to do with our training? It is the person who recognizes and acts knowing that this is true who builds his or her world rather than isolating themselves as important and in contrast with everything and everyone else that is seen as 'obviously' of lesser value. It is the ego who must be "right" and "righteous" that needs to attack others - to fight for 'right.' There is an old saying that goes: "the truest measure of a person's character is in the way he or she treats those least important to them." Once we understand, and can 'see', how our every thought, word, and action acts upon the world, we can take control of the process and decide to build a character that takes responsibility for the way it affects others. No longer will we act out of a state of disconnection and isolation, but move purposefully through our world with compassion and disciplined action. We have a choice. We can be 'nice' to others because it's proper manners to do so, because we expect to get something from them, or because we have to live with them. Or, we can treat others with respect and honor because we recognize that we are already connected to them in some way already. Jeffrey M. Miller is the founder and master instructor of Warrior Concepts International. A senior teacher in the Japanese warrior art of Ninjutsu, he specializes in teaching the ancient ways of self-protection and personal development lessons in a way that is easily understood and put to use by modern Western students and corporate clients. Through their martial arts training, his students and clients learn proven, time-tested lessons designed to help them create the life they've always dreamed of living, and the skills necessary for protecting that life from anything that might threaten it. Shidoshi Miller is also the author of the "Foundations of Self Defense Mastery" eCourse. To learn more about this and other subjects related to the martial arts, self-defense, personal development & self-improvement, visit his website at http://www.warrior-concepts-online.com
Latest News:Site: Yahoo! News Search Results for news News Corp exec becomes chief of Germany's Premiere (Reuters via Yahoo! News) News Corp's chief financial officer for Europe and Asia has been named chief executive of German pay television group Premiere, following the resignation of Michael Boernicke, Premiere said on Wednesday. News Corporation to redevelop London Wapping site (Reuters via Yahoo! News) Rupert Murdoch's News Corporation is to redevelop its Wapping site in London, moving all its UK businesses, including News International, Harper Collins, MySpace and Dow Jones, under one roof. UPI NewsTrack Entertainment News (UPI) Chesney nominated for 7 CMAs ... Hoffman: I'm not playing Penguin ... 'RocknRolla' No. 1 at U.K. box office ... Jessica Simpson stops song on 'GMA' ... News from United Press International. DailyMe: News tailored to your individual tastes (The Christian Science Monitor) Column: Custom news websites come and go, but this one gets it right. Sarah Palin docu wins record ratings for Fox News (Reuters via Yahoo! News) In a week of records surrounding the Republican National Convention, Fox News Channel earned another one with its weekend documentary on vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin. MySpace ad business ahead of target: News Corp (Reuters via Yahoo! News) News Corp's (NWSa.N) MySpace advertising business is operating ahead of expectations and its digital ad business is performing better than the marketplace, the company's chief operating officer said on Tuesday. STOCKS NEWS EUROPE-Erdemir shares fall on iron ore prices (Reuters via Yahoo! Malaysia News) STOCKS NEWS Reuters Results diary News Buzz: Recreating the Big Bang, Gates Urges Slow Iraq Drawdown, Ike Gains Strength (US News & World Report) Top news from the Associated Press For consumers, good news down the line (Sun-Sentinel) Whether you buy a new iPod or not, there may be good news for you in Apple's release of new iPods on Tuesday . Fox News Vaults To Top Of Primetime Ratings (MultiChannel News) Who says no one watches political conventions? Fox News Channel?s coverage of GOP Presidential nominee John McCain?s Sept. 4 acceptance speech at the Republican National Convention drew 9.2 million viewers, topping all other basic cable shows last week, according to Nielsen Media Research data. Site: news - Google News CNET News Daily Podcast: Say hello to the Palm Pre - CNET News
MORE RESOURCES: Site: Yahoo! News Search Results for inspirational Inspirational Experts in Fashion, Cuisine and Lifestyle to Share Tips and Trends at Orange County Head to Toe Women's ... (PRWeb) Southern California's premiere women's consumer show, the Head to Toe Women's Expo returns to OC Fair and Event Center in Costa Mesa, Calif., October 10, 11 and 12, 2008. Presented by Ralphs Grocery, the Head to Toe Women's Expo gives mothers, daughters, and girlfriends a chance to reconnect during a weekend of shopping, pampering, makeovers and inspirational speakers. Several experts, ... http://firepit-plans.com Introduces "The Fire Pit Planner Guide" a Comprehensive Inspirational Guide to Building ... (PRWeb via Yahoo! News) http://firepit-plans.com is a new site that offers a unique do-it-yourself inspirational plan to building fire pits, the guide offers tips and advice on operating and constructing fire pits in the outdoors, house garden or backyard. Reporter's Notebook (Dallas Morning News) Certain parts of Irving City Hall will soon be getting makeovers. Residents and visitors can expect to see inspirational quotes on walls and prominent displays of the city?s mission statement within a couple of months. Bob Walter: Iraq hero gets moving tribute in Elk Grove Park (The Sacramento Bee) For a hero: As if anybody could forget Joe Nurre of Wilton, a fitting and permanent memorial to the inspirational Elk Grove High School football captain is attracting plenty of attention in Elk Grove Park. Joe Nurre A plaque dedicates an Elk Grove barbecue area to Joe Nurre. MCC Honors 9/11 Victims and Families (R News) Monroe Community College hosted a special 9/11 commemorative ceremony at the Remembrance Walk on the Brighton campus. The hour long event included music, inspirational speeches, a moment of silence and flowers placed at the base of the 9/11 monument there. Local review: 'Bill W. and Dr. Bob' entertaining, educational (The Pantagraph) For a gripping evening of theater as educational as it is inspirational, ?Bill W. and Dr. Bob? at Heartland Theatre Company, can?t be beat. Steve Amerson to Sing at the Congressional Medal of Honor Society's Convention (Christian News Wire) DENVER, Sept. 11 / Christian Newswire / -- Steve Amerson, well-known Inspirational music artist will be singing at the Congressional Medal of Honor Society's Annual Convention, A Celebration of Honor, in Denver, Colorado at the "Patriots Award Gala" on Friday, September 19, 2008. Radio pirate suspect arrested in Wilton Manors apartment (Sun-Sentinel) When you tune into FM 103.9 in Broward County , you're supposed to hear a sermon by Calvary Chapel Fort Lauderdale Pastor Bob Coy or inspirational music from the likes of Mercy Me and Steven Curtis Chapman. Randolph Reads kicks off with celebration (Asheboro Courier-Tribune) ASHEBORO ? A Randolph County initiative to unite the community in reading and discussing an inspirational non-fiction book about a nearby town?s struggles with change is under way. Honor Text Helps Americans to Remember (WCAV Charlottesville) The clock strikes 9:11am and your phone beeps, but it?s not your average text message. Instead, it?s an Honor Text, a brief inspirational message about some of America?s service men and women. Site: inspirational - Google News Gerard Lucien Gaudreau, inspirational speaker - Baltimore Sun
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