Zen Garden > Be the Samurai Sword

A comparison between "inner strength" and a samurai sword.

Arguments, litigation, divorce, even war are the products of relationships in crisis.

What is the purpose of fuelling animosity? Life is so short. It's too short to waste precious time with such unproductive pursuits. Do we really need to keep conflict going? What can possibly be achieved by constantly fanning the flame of conflict? But people do it.

When one party has the strength to step back, conflict, or the escalation of it, can often be avoided.

Strength? Yes I did say strength. It takes strength and courage to take the first bold step of reconciliation and peace. Some might consider such a move as being soft or weak.

Allow me to give you an example of strength borne through softness.

The samurai sword, or katana, as it is more correctly known, is made of the strongest steel. Made hundreds of years ago in feudal Japan, many examples of these swords are still in pristine condition. They will stand up to the very best modern steel making technology of today.

The katana gets its strength from the many separate and symbiotic processes that the sword smiths of the era employed. (Re "The Craft of the Japanese Sword" - Kapp and Yoshihara - ISBN 0-87011-798-X - for more information)

One of the most important qualities is the katana's soft malleable inner core. This embedded soft steel inner core allows the weapon to absorb outer hits on its striking surface without serious damage.

There is little doubt that the katana was a fearsome weapon in its time. It still is. Yet at its heart lies the softest metal giving the weapon its greatest strength.

You can learn to be like the samurai sword. You can develop strength through softness. Be the samurai sword.

Gary Simpson is a 7th Dan karate master who teaches self defense, motivation, self help and wealth building to students around the world through home study courses. You may reprint this article as you include this author credit and an active link to his web site. Finance - Self Help - Motivation - Self Defense - Personal Growth MotivationSelfEsteem.com