Bohdi Sanders's Blog, page 27

Why should the warrior seek to be self-reliant?

 

Do not rely completely

on any other human being…

We meet all life’s greatest tests alone.

Agnes Macphail

     Why should the warrior seek to be self-reliant? The answer lies in two words – freedom and safety. Being self-reliant gives you more personal freedom to live the way that you want to live. Epicurus wrote, “The greatest fruit of self-sufficiency is freedom.” The more self-sufficient you become, the more freedom you have from other people having control over your life.

     It is also a vital part of your overall self-defense. The less self-sufficient you are, the more you are leaving your life to chance. Francesco Guicciardini wrote, “Remember this: whoever lives a life of chance will in the end find himself a victim of chance. The right way is to think, to examine, and to consider every detail carefully, even the most minute.”  You don’t want to leave your life up to chance anymore than you absolutely have to.

     Think about ways to make your life more self-sufficient. How can you prepare for a change in your financial situation? What would you do if you could no longer simply go to the grocery store to get your food, or if something happened to your water supply? These are things that everyone should give some thought to in order to be prepared for the unexpected. Make a list of the ways that you need to be more self-reliant, and then take steps to increase your independence.

     Aesop stated, “It is thrifty to prepare today for the wants of tomorrow.” There is no guarantee that life will always be easy; become as self-sufficient and self-reliant as possible. I will end this chapter with a thought from Agnes Macphail, “Do not rely completely on any other human being…We meet all life’s greatest tests alone.”

Bohdi Sanders

excerpt from the award-winning book,

Modern Bushido: Living a Life of Excellence

Modern Bushido HIT #1 on Amazon.com’s BEST SELLERS LIST and

has been in the TOP 10 on Amazon.com for over 54 WEEKS!

If you haven’t read it yet, you can get it immediately with no waiting

on KINDLE at: GET MODERN BUSHIDO NOW.

If you prefer a personally signed copy,

you can get those too at: The Wisdom Warrior Bookstore.

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Modern Bushido NOW AVAILABLE on KINDLE!

 

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MODERN BUSHIDO

is

NOW AVAILABLE on Kindle!

Modern Bushido HIT #1 on Amazon.com’s BEST SELLERS LIST 9 times this year and has been in the TOP 10 on Amazon.com for over 53 WEEKS! It also won a FIRST PLACE AWARD in the National Indie Excellence Book Awards in 2013!

If you haven’t read it yet, you can get it immediately with no waiting on KINDLE at: GET MODERN BUSHIDO NOW!

If you prefer a personally signed copy, you can get those too at: The Wisdom Warrior Bookstore.

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The Price of Excellence is Discipline

The price of excellence is discipline.

William Arthur Ward

     If the price of excellence is discipline, then you must have discipline to live a life of excellence, and living a life of excellence is what the warrior lifestyle is all about. Therefore, discipline is vital to living the warrior lifestyle. The famous poet, Percy Bysshe Shelley, wrote, “What we do upon some great occasion will probably depend on what we already are; and what we are will be the result of previous years of self-discipline.”

     You must discipline yourself to prepare to successfully meet future challenges. If you do not discipline yourself to practice and perfect your martial arts skills, when you actually need them to save your life, or someone else’s life, they will not be there for you.

     Don’t think that you can rest on your laurels and still be prepared to defend yourself when you need to. It doesn’t work that way. And you sure can’t wait until you find yourself face to face with some thug, who is determined to rip you to threads, and ask for a couple of minutes to stretch and loosen up before you engage him. That is ridiculous! 

Bohdi Sanders

Modern Bushido: Living a Life of Excellence

CHECK IT OUT! Modern Bushido HIT #1 on Amazon.com’s BEST SELLERS LIST and has been in the TOP 10 on Amazon.com for over 53 WEEKS! Modern Bushido also won a FIRST PLACE AWARD in the National Indie Excellence Book Awards in 2013!

If you haven’t read it yet, you can get it immediately with no waiting on KINDLE at: Modern Bushido on Amazon.

If you prefer a personally signed copy, you can get those too at: The Wisdom Warrior Bookstore.

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Never Quit on Your Dreams!

Never Quit on Your Dreams!

Crawling is acceptable.

Falling is acceptable.

Blood is acceptable.

Pain is acceptable.

Quitting is NOT acceptable.

When you have a goal that is important to you, you have to be willing to go all out in order to achieve it. If you leave yourself open to justifications and excuses about why you can’t achieve your objectives, you will fall short almost every time. You have to make up your mind that you are going to keep striving for your goal until you either achieve victory or die.

This may sound extreme, but once you have locked in this attitude, the Universe starts to work on your behalf and things that you never could have imagined will start to fall into place for you.

Look at it as if the Universe is testing you to see if you are really willing to give your desire everything that you’ve got. And once the Universe sees that you are totally committed to achieving your goal, that your mind is focused and you are physically doing everything in your power to be successful, and that you REFUSE TO GIVE UP, the Universe steps in and works on your behalf. Positive things start to happen out of the blue and everything that you have worked for starts to fall into place.

I have seen this happen over and over again. I even have many examples of this very process in my own life. I’m not saying it will happen overnight or that it will be easy, but I am saying that it will happen if you DON’T QUIT. The moment you quit, you have proved to the Universe that you weren’t serious and didn’t deserve victory. Quitting is not acceptable to the Universe and it is not acceptable in the warrior lifestyle.

You must continue to try, even if you aren’t physically seeing results. We don’t always see the results of our training immediately, but they are there. You are always either moving forward or backwards, towards your goals or further away from your goals. I don’t have to tell you what direction you are moving if you quit. Be persistent – don’t quit!

Bohdi Sanders
Modern Bushido: Living a Life of Excellence

Modern Bushido reached #1 on Amazon.com’s BEST SELLERS LIST and has been in the TOP 10 on Amazon.com for over ONE YEAR! If you haven’t read it yet, you can get it immediately with no waiting on KINDLE at: MODERN BUSHIDO.

If you prefer a personally signed copy, you can get those too at: THE WISDOM WARRIOR BOOKSTORE. Discount prices are available to all martial arts instructors who order 10 or more copies! Email me for information on bulk discounts if you are interested. ENJOY!

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A Warrior’s Promise is a Debt of Honor

A promise is a debt.

Irish Proverb

Many people make promises without any consideration for their words. Their word is absolutely meaningless to them. A promise from them is to be taken with a grain of salt. It usually means little more than they are in a desperate state at the time and they are willing to say anything to get whatever it is that they need for the moment. Once they have what they are after, their promise is quickly forgotten. They never consider that a promise is a debt, after all, who is going to force them to live up to their word?

The warrior, on the other hand, is a man of his word. If he promises that he will do something, he does it, period. He doesn’t make empty promises just to get his way, this would be dishonorable. He takes his word of honor seriously.

To him, a promise is indeed a debt, and a debt that will be repaid. Warriors feel honor bound to make their word good. People who make empty promises lose the respect of those around them, and the warrior realizes this.

He is not willing to compromise his word or the respect that his character affords him. To the man of honor, a promise means as much as a written contract that is signed and notarized. His word is good whether it is written on paper or written on the wind. Your promise is your word of honor.

It should not matter whether or not your promise is legally binding in a court of law. The warrior lives by a higher law than the law of the land; he lives by the law of honor.

Bohdi Sanders

excerpt from The Warrior Lifestyle, pg 90

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What does it mean to be a true warrior?

What does it mean to be a true warrior?

     The great Sioux chief, Sitting Bull, once stated that, “Warriors are not what you think of as warriors. The warrior is not someone who fights…” At first, this statement seems strange and contrary to what most people think, when they hear the term “warrior.” How is it that the warrior is not someone who fights? Could it be that Sitting Bull didn’t really know what he was talking about? Was he really “qualified” to explain what being a real warrior means? Oh, wait, wasn’t he one of the warriors who defeated General Custer in the Battle of the Little Big Horn, known to the Sioux people as the Fight at Greasy Grass Creek?

     Sitting Bull was one of the great warriors in one of the most well known battles fought on American soil; he must know something about warriorship. He was definitely not opposed to fighting for what he believed to be right, especially when left with no honorable alternatives. He was obviously a brave man who had the courage to meet his enemy face to face on the battlefield, as opposed to being a man who claimed that there is “never any reason for violence,” or that “violence never solved anything.” So what did this great warrior mean when he stated that, “Warriors are not what you think of as warriors. The warrior is not someone who fights…?”

     Basically, what Sitting Bull is saying is that fighting is not the only component or even the most important part of being a warrior. He goes on to explain himself saying, “The warrior, for us, is one who sacrifices himself for the good of others. His task is to take care of the elderly, the defenseless, those who cannot provide for themselves, and above all, the children, the future of humanity.” This is what he was doing at the Battle of the Little Big Horn, fighting for those who needed his protection, and this is also a very good description of the true warrior and the warrior lifestyle.

     The warrior lifestyle involves much more than the ability to fight and defend yourself and those you love. It involves developing your character, living a life of honor and integrity, defending those who can’t defend themselves, taking care of the elderly and your family; in short, it involves service to others along with perfecting your character. Many people seem to get hung up on the literal definition of the term “warrior.” The literal definition, which can be found in most dictionaries, defines the term “warrior” as someone who is trained or experienced in warfare.

     As far as the warrior lifestyle is concerned, this definition falls far short of being complete. Throughout history, when the term “warrior” has been used, it has carried with it a deeper meaning than simply “someone experienced in warfare.” Warriors have been revered for their character as much as their martial arts skills. The warrior was seen as a man of character, integrity and honor, not simply someone who knew how to fight, or who was experienced in fighting. It is true that the warrior should be skilled in the art of war or in the martial arts, but this is only a small part of being a true warrior.

     Gichin Funakoshi stated that the ultimate goal of karate is the perfection of human character, not the perfection of one’s martial arts skills; this is basically the same thing that Sitting Bull was trying to teach us. Being a true warrior involves balance. The warrior strives for excellence in every part of his life, not only in developing his martial arts skills, but also in his everyday life. The warrior has to endeavor to perfect himself spiritually and mentally, as well as physically. While it is true that the martial arts play an important part in the life of the true warrior, the martial arts are only a part of the warrior’s life.

     There are many other parts of the warrior’s life which must also be addressed if he is serious about living the warrior lifestyle. Character training is definitely an important part of being a warrior. Without character training, so-called “warriors” are nothing more than thugs, trained to fight, but with no knowledge of what is worth fighting for. To educate someone in the martial arts without regard to their character, is simply training a menace to society. The ancient martial arts masters knew this and refused to train those who they felt lacked the character and integrity needed to be given these dangerous skills.

     Character was important to the masters of old and was taken into account before someone was trained. Today, the martial arts have become big business and anyone with enough money can obtain as much training as they want, no matter how poor their character may be. Are these people warriors simply because they have purchased years of training and know how to fight? Are gang members who know how to fight warriors? Well, if you go by the literal definition, your answer would have to be yes, but if you go by the definition that I use for the true warrior, the answer is definitely no.

     My definition of a true warrior is someone who has the ability and will to fight to protect himself, his friends, his family, and his ideals, and at the same time, seeks the perfection of his own character through a life lived with honor, integrity, and an unflinching dedication to what is right according to his own code of ethics. The ability to fight is only a small part of this definition. The true warrior has to develop more than his martial arts skills. The qualities of the true warrior go much deeper than that.

     Warriors should exhibit the best qualities among men. The true warrior makes a firm decision to try to perfect his character and to live by a strict code of ethics. His word is his honor. His duty stays fresh on his mind. He lives life a little more seriously than most, but at the same time lives life to its fullest. He sees through the veil of appearances covering most parts of this world, but does so without looking down on those who are less perceptive.

     Family and friends are important to him, and they know that they can always count on him for protection and help in their times of need. He bases his decisions on his code of ethics, and he instinctively knows right from wrong, and chooses right. He knows that at times there is a difference between what is right and what is legal, and what is wrong and what is illegal. As Lao Tzu taught, “Highly evolved people have their own conscience as pure law.”

     The true warrior is able to hold his head high with honor because he knows that he lives his life to the best of his ability, with honor and integrity. His code is ingrained in his spirit and is a part of his being. Warriors walk alone much of the time, as they prefer solitude to the company of lesser men. The warrior is a man who shoots for excellence in everything he does. These are the things which make someone a true warrior and the development of these traits leads to the warrior lifestyle.  Bohdi Sanders ~ excerpt from WARRIOR: The Way of Warriorhood

You can find WARRIOR: The Way of Warriorhood and all my other books and teachings at The Wisdom Warrior Bookstore or on Amazon.com.

Also, you may want to check out MODERN BUSHIDO. MODERN BUSHIDO: Living a Life of Excellence just WON a FIRST PLACE BOOK AWARD in the 2013 National Indie Excellence Awards! This is a prestigious book award and a great honor for me and Modern Bushido!

Modern Bushido just HIT THE #1 spot this week and is going into its 29th week in the top 10 on Amazon.com! If you haven’t read it yet, you can get it immediately with no waiting on KINDLE at: GET MODERN BUSHIDO.

If you prefer a personally signed copy, you can get those too at: The Wisdom Warrior Bookstore. Discount prices are available to all martial arts instructors who order 10 or more copies! Email me for information on bulk discounts if you are interested. ENJOY!

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MODERN BUSHIDO HITS #1!

MODERN BUSHIDO HITS #1!

Modern Bushido: Living a Life of Excellence HITS #1 on Amazon.com for Kindle and #2 on Amazon.com in martial arts books. It also captured 66th Place for self-help/motivational books on Kindle. This is quite the achievement for an independent publisher!

#1 in Kindle > Nonfiction > Sports > Individual Sports > Martial Arts

#2 in Books > Sports & Outdoors > Individual Sports > Martial Arts

#66 in Kindle Store > Kindle eBooks > Nonfiction > Self-Help > Motivational

Modern Bushido has been in the TOP 10 on Amazon.com for over 28 weeks and is now the #1 martial arts book on Amazon.com!* Modern Bushido was honored in May by the 2013 U.S.A. Martial Arts Hall of Fame for its contributions to the world of martial arts. It also won a 1st Place book award from the 2013 National Indie Excellence Books Awards.

Best-selling author, Bohdi Sanders, has won 8 awards for his books, but has never captured a #1 ranking until Modern Bushido hit #1 today on Amazon.com.

If you haven’t had a chance to read this award winning book yet, you can download a copy immediately for Kindle on Amazon.com at: MODERN BUSHIDO on AMAZON. Or, if you had rather have a copy that is personally signed by Dr. Sanders, you can order it from The Wisdom Warrior Bookstore.

* This ranking is according to Amazon.com Best Seller Rankings on 7/1/13

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Survival and Complete Triumph

Survival is the foundation of endurance;

complete triumph is the endgame.

Bohdi Sanders

Survival and Complete Triumph

The warrior has to learn to endure life’s hardships and pain, but having to endure hardships is not an excuse to lower your standards or to lose your honor. There is a right way and a wrong way to do everything. Turning to dishonest acts and justifying them by blaming them on your circumstances is merely a cop out. This is not the way of the warrior, but rather the mindset of the criminal.

On the other extreme, you have the ultra passive school of thought which basically states that it is better to die than to ever harm another person, no matter what the circumstances. Khalil Gibran stated, “If my survival caused another to perish, then death would be sweeter and more beloved.” Again, this is not the way of the warrior. There are times when your survival may require that you do harm to another person. While the true warrior never wants to hurt or injure anyone else, he is certainly willing to do so if his hand is forced.

If his survival depends on his using martial arts skills to defend himself, then he is certainly justified. The philosophy that there is never any reason to harm or kill another human being is for monks or priests – not for warriors. Someone has to be willing to stand against evil in a proactive way, and that someone is the warrior.

The warrior lives somewhere in between these two extreme philosophies. His philosophy, concerning enduring hardships and surviving what life throws at him, has to be balanced with the code by which he lives. Surviving life’s hardships does not mean lowering your standards or temporarily shelving your principles. It means using your principles to overcome the hardships you are facing and turning those hardships into a victory in the end. Bohdi Sanders ~ excerpt from MODERN BUSHIDO: Living a Life of Excellence, pg 95

Modern Bushido has been in the TOP 10 on Amazon.com for over 27 weeks! If you haven’t read it yet, you can get it immediately with no waiting on KINDLE at: GET MODERN BUSHIDO TODAY.

If you prefer a personally signed copy, you can get those too at: THE WISDOM WARRIOR BOOKSTORE. Discount prices are available to all martial arts instructors who order 10 or more copies! Email me for information on bulk discounts if you are interested. ENJOY!

~~~~ NOTICE ~~~~

FOR ONE DAY ONLY – Saturday, June 29!

BUY A COPY OF MODERN BUSHIDO from AMAZON.COM and receive a COPY of DEFENSIVE LIVING: The Other Side of Self-Defense OR Warrior Wisdom: The Heart and Soul of Bushido for FREE! (You just pay for the shipping and handling).

All you have to do to get your FREE BOOK is to email your proof of purchase of Modern Bushido (purchased on Saturday, June 29) and your mailing address to: WARRIORWISDOM@COMCAST.NET and we will send you the Pay Pal bill for the shipping and handling cost. That’s it!

You get a copy of the award-winning Modern Bushido and get another great book as our FREE GIFT to you. Sweet! This is our thank you to you for making Modern Bushido one of the most popular martial arts books of the year!!

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New Reviews for MODERN BUSHIDO!

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New Reviews for MODERN BUSHIDO!

 

What an amazing review!

PERFECT and POWERFUL!, June 16, 2013

This review is from: Modern Bushido: Living a Life of Excellence

I am only into the first few pages and already I can tell you that this is genius! Powerful, motivational and inspiring! I am a spiritual counselor and I tell you that by reading this book, it is like having a true martial arts master sitting by your side.

Ever watch David Carradine in Kung Fu when he flashes back to his talks with his instructors? This is almost the same thing.

A MUST read!  If I could give it 10 stars, I would. By  Dr. S. G. Ph D

To read more reviews of this BEST SELLING book, go to: Modern Bushido Reviews.

Modern Bushido has been in the TOP 10 on Amazon.com for over 27 weeks! If you haven’t read it yet, you can get it immediately with no waiting on KINDLE at: ORDER MODERN BUSHIDO.

If you prefer a personally signed copy, you can get those too at: The Wisdom Warrior Bookstore. Discount prices are available to all martial arts instructors who order 10 or more copies! Email me for information on bulk discounts if you are interested. ENJOY!

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MODERN BUSHIDO Wins FIRST PLACE in National Indie Excellence Book Awards!

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MODERN BUSHIDO Wins FIRST PLACE

in National Indie Excellence Book Awards!

MODERN BUSHIDO: Living a Life of Excellence just WON a FIRST PLACE BOOK AWARD in the 2013 National Indie Excellence Awards! This is a prestigeous book award and a great honor for me and Modern Bushido! The judges for the 2013 National Indie Excellence Awards seemed to like Modern Bushido as much as my readers who have kept Modern Bushido in the top 10 for 21 straight weeks!



I want to thank all of my readers for your continued support, all the kind emails, and wonderful comments! You guys are great!!



Modern Bushido is still ranked in the top 10 on Amazon.com at #10! If you haven’t read it yet, you can get it immediately with no waiting on KINDLE at: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B008S26INK.



If you prefer a personally signed copy, you can get those too at: http://thewisdomwarrior.com/books-by-bohdi-sanders/. Discount prices are available to all martial arts instructors who order 10 or more copies! Email me for information on bulk discounts if you are interested. ENJOY!

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