I want to present to you a story in which it is an adaption from a Japanese fairy tale. I don't know the name of the original tale so I ask that you pardon me for that discrepancy. I have adapted the story with dramatic license to highlight the virtue of humility and honor in this story.
Long ago, across many distant lands. There was a King who sought to have his daughter the Princess married. For the kingdom which he ruled was in sore need of the royal family to continue after many years of war and devastation. One day, the Princess came to her father the King and told him of her love for the famous Knight Sir John the Valorous. The King laughed at the thought of her daughter of ebony complexion falling in love with a soldier. The King said to the Princess, "Surely you must jest. A soldier is only a simple man who seeks the glories of war for himself. What you need is a Prince who has wealth, land and power." The Princess beset with emotion, responded gently to her father saying, "But even a Prince can be seduced by greed and tyranny. The one who I love fights for the well being of all in the kingdom. Furthermore, his heart is humble and pure. It is these things that make love me more no matter his station in life." The King, surprised by the response thought over this. He allowed his daughter to leave while he contemplated on how to get his daughter married. He pondered until he decided to make a trip to see the Emperor in the Kingdom of the Red Hills. That night, the Princess prayed with earnest sincerity that her Knight will be her husband.
The following day, the King and the Princess traveled to the Kingdom of the Red Hills where they were greeted with pomp and ceremony. The King greeted by the Emperor with all courtesy and spoke to him saying, "Emperor of the Red Hills, my friend. You are by far the most powerful and sovereign ruler of your kingdom. For this, I wish to offer you my daughter for you to marry." The Emperor, perplexed by the proposition replied "My friend, I maybe sovereign of my lands and people, but I am not powerful as you think me to be. For there is one who is more powerful than I." The King perplexed by the Emperor's response asked, "Who would be more powerful than you?" The Emperor responded, "The sun is the one who is more powerful than me, for his light keeps me within my castle and I cannot withstand his eternal heart lest I perish from thirst."
The King along with the Princess then walked outside the palace of the Emperor and the sun greeted them both. The King shouted to the sun, "Powerful and eternal sun, I ask you to marry my daughter the Princess." The sun laughed and said, "I wish I can but there is another who is powerful than me. The clouds whom I can never pierce through with my light keep me captive until they pass by." The King was perplexed all the more.
The clouds then rolled by to greet the King and the Princess, paying them due honor and respect. The King shouted to the clouds, "Great ominous clouds, powerful than the mighty sun. I ask you to marry my daughter." The clouds trying not to laugh said, "I wish that were possible but the winds who are more powerful than me would prevent the wedding. For when they blow, I am destroyed."
Soon the winds began to blow, greeting the King and the Princess. However the King trying to shout to the winds was swept off to see and speak with the source of the winds. The King understanding the intent behind the action asked, "Mighty winds that cannot be conquered, will you marry my daughter?" The clouds questioned the King by asking "How is that possible? For we cannot marry her for we are free and desire not to be bound by anything. Also, the walls of the nearby city are more powerful than us. For no matter how hard we blow, the wall stands as a mountain rooted deep into the earth."
After the winds left, the King and the Princess rode to the nearby city. The watchman on the wall greeted the King and the Princess. "I speak for the wall of the city." shouted the watchman. The King then shouted, "Watchman who speaks for the wall, will you marry my daughter?" The watchman looked at the King with confused eyes and said, "My King, I cannot usurp and replace the man who loves your daughter the Princess. For the man who is more fitting to marry your daughter is the protector of the realm. The wall which I stand on and watch are strong but with time grow weak with decay and the elements beating against it. This threat is more greater than the raiders or enemies we face. But the raiders have more to fear from the Knight Protector." The King realizing that his simple request was denied by all others asked in desperation, "Tell now, who is this Knight Protector?" The watchman responded, "The Knight Protector is none other than Sir John the Valorous." The Princess smiled within her heart as she knew her prayers were answered.
At that moment, a dozen raiders began to charge to city upon learning the conditions of the walls. The watchman seeing them from a far distance sounds the alarm and the King and Princess get inside the city for safety. Before the raiders were within a mile's distance of the walls a knight in black armor rode out to meet the raiders head on. The raiders recognizing the black knight turned their charge towards to him and the battle ensued. The black knight will outnumbered fought with strong strokes and skillful prowess. In five minutes of the battle, half the raiders laid prostrate on the ground wounded or killed. The remaining few of the raiders stricken with fear began to flee for their lives. The black knight emerged victorious and without a single wound. The inhabitants of the city rejoiced as they were saved.
The King and Princess watched the entire battle in amazement. The Princess was much joyous that her knight was victorious. While the King amazed by what happened asked the watchman to bring the knight to him. Sir John rode into the city being welcomed by the people of the city. However, Sir John did not welcome the praise or even the acclamation of the people but rode to his house where we acted with humble courtesy. The King sending the watchman to Sir John saw Sir John's actions was moved in his heart. He said to himself, "His humility and prowess are nothing which I have seen. I now see why my daughter loves him. I would rest easy knowing that a man of honor will rule after me." Soon, the watchman brought Sir John before the King. Sir John, a man of light tan complexion greeted the King with a bow and a salutation. The King spoke to Sir John saying, "Brave and skilled knight, I have heard of your deeds and have seen them this day. I also see that you humility and honor has made you a pure man. A man who I deem worthy of marriage to my daughter the Princess. I ask you, will you marry my daughter?" Sir John taken aback by the request but not hiding his joy replied, "It will be great honor your majesty."
Soon afterwards, Sir John was in the arms of the Princess. They were married within a fortnight and all the kingdoms rejoiced with celebration. Never has there been a more joyous and festive wedding in all of the kingdom. For on that day, honor and humility were victorious in the contest of love. They lived with happiness for the rest of their lives.
The End.
Sunday, June 25, 2017
Tuesday, June 20, 2017
Transitions of Life
In life, change is the one thing that is always on the horizon. No matter what it is or how it manifests in one's life, change is either embraced or feared. Such is the case in life transitions.
One example to draw upon this idea, is changes in one's job, no one wants to think about it without the foreshadowing fear of financial and monetary fears for one's daily provisions. However, to the warrior, it is only a test of preparedness, will power and determination. This all sounds good but when applied in real life, the challenges become the burdens. Yet the warrior is one who accepts this and pushes forward.
Allow me to speak from experience, for the past months I began to hunt a better paying full time job because the job I had was falling below my expectations. Instead of wishing it into existence as some would do, I knew I had to take action. I began to work with a job coach in which it leads to three to four months of filling applications online and fruitless results, this would be enough to dishearten anyone with hope. However I knew that the hopeless searching will not last forever. Recently I have started a new, full time job in which I found myself qualified in many ways that I didn't see before.
The question at hand is this: how does one handle a change like this? This means that the days will have a new change in routine, a change in personal conduct, even time spent writing these posts and making them available on the page. How does one flow with the change and still do what is desired?
The answer is this: the change must be accepted and the mind must be used to strategic effect to plan and reorganize one's goals and daily routine to accommodate the current change. There must never be compromise on things such as training, meditation, self education and cleanliness of self and living environment.
While the task seems daunting, it is achievable. The question is: "Will you fight the battles of life with your wish or with your mind?"
One example to draw upon this idea, is changes in one's job, no one wants to think about it without the foreshadowing fear of financial and monetary fears for one's daily provisions. However, to the warrior, it is only a test of preparedness, will power and determination. This all sounds good but when applied in real life, the challenges become the burdens. Yet the warrior is one who accepts this and pushes forward.
Allow me to speak from experience, for the past months I began to hunt a better paying full time job because the job I had was falling below my expectations. Instead of wishing it into existence as some would do, I knew I had to take action. I began to work with a job coach in which it leads to three to four months of filling applications online and fruitless results, this would be enough to dishearten anyone with hope. However I knew that the hopeless searching will not last forever. Recently I have started a new, full time job in which I found myself qualified in many ways that I didn't see before.
The question at hand is this: how does one handle a change like this? This means that the days will have a new change in routine, a change in personal conduct, even time spent writing these posts and making them available on the page. How does one flow with the change and still do what is desired?
The answer is this: the change must be accepted and the mind must be used to strategic effect to plan and reorganize one's goals and daily routine to accommodate the current change. There must never be compromise on things such as training, meditation, self education and cleanliness of self and living environment.
While the task seems daunting, it is achievable. The question is: "Will you fight the battles of life with your wish or with your mind?"
Wednesday, June 14, 2017
Study on the Book of Chivalry - 3
We continue the study of the Book of Chivalry by Sir Geoffrey de Charney.
In this study we examine the actions of a Knight or Man at Arms on his/her conduct in the Deeds of Arms. We read the following passages:
These quotes while in context speak of the conduct of the Knight in both the battlefield and the tourney, speaks a great deal to the ethical conduct of the warrior in the tournament as well and modern deeds of arms. One can even argue that this can also apply to the soldier to a degree.
In the first quote; we see the author makes a great caution against excessive spending. When taking this into application, especially within purchasing HEMA equipment and weapon trainers and registering for HEMA events and tournaments one can easily be tempted to spend in the excessive. The motive can vary from "I want to get the cool looking sword" or "I want to get as much experience in tournament fighting" or "got to have the best equipment so I can look cooler than everyone else." However, one must ask themselves this question: "Is this what you want or what you need?" The difference between the need and the want is a question of practical budgeting and finding out which equipment or trainer works best for the individual. From personal experience I too faced this temptation. My solution to this was finding out from calculating budget prices what I can afford to purchase, measuring myself to find what equipment fits me best and which weapon trainer works well for me (see my post "HEMA on a Budget" for further details). The point is this, never spend on anything to make your image puffed with egoism. Rather spend on what you need to benefit your practice and training without depriving yourself of your livelihood.
In the second quote, the author speaks on those who have participated in deeds of arms but don't get any attention s a result, in fact the heading from the original text says "Sacrifices made by Men at Arms whose Deeds remain unknown." With the given context, this advice speaks on those who don't get the recognition for their participation in a deed of arms or tournament. How should one go about it? The answer is this: ask yourself this question "Are you looking for recognition? Are you seeking opportunities to refine your prowess? Or are you seeking to participate in the tournament without seeking to recognized as you practicing humility?" This speaks of one's purpose in their participation.
In the third quote, the author speaks against greed in the context of the aftermath of a battle. However, this speaks also flows from the previous quote as it speaks to the purpose and reason for participation. In this case it is a warning against egoism fueled by greed. Often in tournaments there are often individuals or one who is set on winning the prize and will do anything (even if it means a violation of tournaments rules/boundaries) to achieve the prize. The warrior is one who seeks to refine himself and sees the participation and refinement of prowess as the "prize" of their participating in the tournament. One must ask these questions: "Is the prize worth it? What benefit do i derive from a medal or a cash prize or a prize item?" "Is it worth my breaking the rules to get to a prize I want to win and in the end only loose face and dignity?" The warrior never seeks prizes, but rather perfection of self in action.
One can ask at this point, "How should one conduct themselves in a tournament or deed of arms?" The author gives us the answer in the following passages:
In summation, the warrior who takes everything (training, tournaments, events, deeds of arms, life situations) as lessons or opportunities for self refinement will be benefited from the results of his/her being bettered by others and setting the example of personal excellence in prowess or conduct.
Remember this Brave Knight, your actions show who you are, choose wisely and learn everything.
In this study we examine the actions of a Knight or Man at Arms on his/her conduct in the Deeds of Arms. We read the following passages:
"It is then a great shame when a good career is held back by excessive spending, for it is better to give an account of how one has been on one's own without a retinue, to take part in armed combats along with other people, and to tell of one's exploits, when God has by his grace granted them, than to say that one lives in such great state and that one has spent too much and has not been able to stay until the right moment."
"But it so happens that few learn of their exploits but are only aware of the fact that they have been there, which is in itself a fine thing; for the more one sees great deeds, the more one should learn what is involved and should talk and take advice at the places where feats of arms are performed or where one is engaged in other activities."
"And they know well how to do it skillfully and cleverly; and because they are so intent on plunder, it often happens that on entry into a town won by force, those who are so greedy for plunder dash hither and thither and find themselves separated from those of their companions who have no thought for gain but only for completing their military undertaking..... It can also happen in relation to such people who are very eager for booty that when there is action on the battlefield, there are a number of men who pay more attention to taking prisoners, and other profit, and when they have seized them and other winnings, they are more anxious to safeguard their captives and their booty than to help bring the battle to a good conclusion. And it may well be that a battle can be lost in this way. And we ought instead to be wary of the booty which results in the loss of honor, life, and possessions."
These quotes while in context speak of the conduct of the Knight in both the battlefield and the tourney, speaks a great deal to the ethical conduct of the warrior in the tournament as well and modern deeds of arms. One can even argue that this can also apply to the soldier to a degree.
In the first quote; we see the author makes a great caution against excessive spending. When taking this into application, especially within purchasing HEMA equipment and weapon trainers and registering for HEMA events and tournaments one can easily be tempted to spend in the excessive. The motive can vary from "I want to get the cool looking sword" or "I want to get as much experience in tournament fighting" or "got to have the best equipment so I can look cooler than everyone else." However, one must ask themselves this question: "Is this what you want or what you need?" The difference between the need and the want is a question of practical budgeting and finding out which equipment or trainer works best for the individual. From personal experience I too faced this temptation. My solution to this was finding out from calculating budget prices what I can afford to purchase, measuring myself to find what equipment fits me best and which weapon trainer works well for me (see my post "HEMA on a Budget" for further details). The point is this, never spend on anything to make your image puffed with egoism. Rather spend on what you need to benefit your practice and training without depriving yourself of your livelihood.
In the second quote, the author speaks on those who have participated in deeds of arms but don't get any attention s a result, in fact the heading from the original text says "Sacrifices made by Men at Arms whose Deeds remain unknown." With the given context, this advice speaks on those who don't get the recognition for their participation in a deed of arms or tournament. How should one go about it? The answer is this: ask yourself this question "Are you looking for recognition? Are you seeking opportunities to refine your prowess? Or are you seeking to participate in the tournament without seeking to recognized as you practicing humility?" This speaks of one's purpose in their participation.
In the third quote, the author speaks against greed in the context of the aftermath of a battle. However, this speaks also flows from the previous quote as it speaks to the purpose and reason for participation. In this case it is a warning against egoism fueled by greed. Often in tournaments there are often individuals or one who is set on winning the prize and will do anything (even if it means a violation of tournaments rules/boundaries) to achieve the prize. The warrior is one who seeks to refine himself and sees the participation and refinement of prowess as the "prize" of their participating in the tournament. One must ask these questions: "Is the prize worth it? What benefit do i derive from a medal or a cash prize or a prize item?" "Is it worth my breaking the rules to get to a prize I want to win and in the end only loose face and dignity?" The warrior never seeks prizes, but rather perfection of self in action.
One can ask at this point, "How should one conduct themselves in a tournament or deed of arms?" The author gives us the answer in the following passages:
"It is embodied in those who, from their own nature and instinct, as soon as they begin to reach the age of understanding, and with their understanding they like to hear and listen to men of prowess talk of military deeds....as they increase in years, so they increase in prowess and in skill in the art of arms....And they themselves, through their great zeal and determination, learn the true way to practice the military arts until they, on every occasion, know how to strive toward the most honorable course of action, whether in relation to deeds of arms or in relation to other forms of behavior appropriate to their rank. Then they reflect on, inform themselves, and inquire how to conduct themselves most honorably in all circumstances."
In summation, the warrior who takes everything (training, tournaments, events, deeds of arms, life situations) as lessons or opportunities for self refinement will be benefited from the results of his/her being bettered by others and setting the example of personal excellence in prowess or conduct.
Remember this Brave Knight, your actions show who you are, choose wisely and learn everything.
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