A Video Introduction to Way of the Modern Warrior – Living the Samurai Ideal in the 21st Century

Hanshi Kaufman introduces his new book, Way of the Modern Warrior – Living the Samurai Ideal in the 21st Century, forthcoming from Tuttle Publishing in Fall 2012. Preorder your copy at Amazon and Barnes and Noble.

For more info on author, visit http://www.hanshi.com

The Shogun’s Philosophy

Most people fail in life because they are not aware of the internal power they have or the manner in which they can increase their usage of it. The inner self is impersonal; it is not a “thing.” The true meaning of personal development is in the true acceptance of your own personal being. It has nothing to do with technique, which may be good to know, but readily interferes with desire because of its reliance on external forms to develop internal realities.

Every time you move your hands or feet, your mind or your tongue, it should be considered an attack and a non-attack simultaneously. Attack and defense are one and the same thing and can only perform according to your acceptance of their functionality. This is strictly dependent upon your devotion to it by way of personal belief and training. If you do not have this understanding, then you can only be a puppet, lacking the inner resolve to attain higher levels of consciousness.

Specific technique only enables you to perform adequately that which is necessary to maintain and protect your personal environment. It has nothing to do with your innate skill as a leader, which is completely different. There is always someone smarter, faster, stronger, more devious, and more benevolent. The shogun is what he is: a shogun and nothing else. You must understand what a shogun actually is, and you can only do this by introspection and personal definition. The existence of certain heavenly attitudes and qualities must be accepted on a personal level to maintain you on a specific level of consciousness. This is called “correct thinking.”

The shogun does not get involved with ranks or tiles, names of styles, who is best at something, or anything that would suggest comparisons with others, including competitive thinking. The personality does indeed play an important part, because without a personality, there could be no self-identification. We do not live in a mindless environment, although most people function on that level, and so we cannot exist without references. To do so would indicate a lack of self-esteem that would deny survival and accomplishment. The healthy personality does not have to brag about its accomplishments—its work is self-evident, and its only purpose is to drive its self to higher levels of consciousness within the structure of any given discipline.

Excerpt from The Shogun’s Scroll  – Wield Power and Control Your Destiny, available at all major retail book stores and the author’s homepage.

For more info on the author, visit http://www.hanshi.com

The Art of Business

A reading from my forthcoming book, THE ART OF BUSINESS BASED ON THE MAXIMS OF NAPOLEON (c) SFK

Maxim XLIX: The practice of mixing small bodies of infantry and cavalry together is a bad one and attended with many inconveniences. The cavalry loses its power of action. It becomes fettered in all its movements. Its energy is destroyed; even the infantry itself is compromised, for on the first movement of the cavalry it is left without support. The best mode of protecting cavalry is to cover its flank.

Commentary: You should not mix the interests of the tech support group with that of the sales group or the management group. To do so causes confusion when each is left to their own devices as to what is the priority for accomplishment and delivery of the objective. Each contingent should understand the need to cooperate with each other for the overall good of the endeavor and in that way ensures their own success and future value to the organization.

 

For more info on author, visit http://www.hanshi.com

Controlling and Managing by Your Own Ability

Excerpt from The Shogun’s Scroll

Shunko Zabayashi knew the importance of using his own resources when he effected a coup against his cousin in Tarama Province. He carefully thought about his actions before moving into position to take control of the clan. Although his cousin was a man of wealth, he was a squanderer, always insulting others who had less than he had; he would throw lavish parties and cause dissension in his own court by inviting certain people and excluding others. Zabayashi observed that many members of the clan were beginning to resent his cousin. Slowly, he built up his resources of men and funds until he knew that his cousin would be hard pressed to stop any advance. Forgoing the pledged assistance of others, he moved when he knew the time was right, and because he did not rely on the aid of people who would follow him regardless, he maintained control of the clan for the rest of his life and was never indebted or obliged to anyone.

Accomplishment is based on definition and redefinition of goals, which has to do with good fortune and good planning. Good fortune usually accompanies determination and desire. Good planning is always better. As much as is humanly possible, nothing should ever be left to chance.  Careful examination of the works of great men will show that they did not rely on the inconstancy of fate. They saw opportunity and took it because they were emotionally and physically prepared for succes. As a result of this mentality, they accomplished great things and prospered. It may be necessary to strive hard, but once the goal is attained, it is very rare that it will be lost.

For more info on the author and to purchase books, visit http://www.hanshi.com