Take Heart, Warrior…

As has been mentioned elsewhere on his website, the city of Kamakura, Japan, is very special to Kendo Nagasaki. He had a mightily powerful past life there, fighting hand-to-hand as a warrior defending this pivotal “samurai-town”, the history of which so well defines so many aspects of the samurai ethos – skill, courage, honour, dedication…

In September in Kamakura, there is a festival celebrating samurai history, a central feature of which is yabusame, samurai horseback archery. Now, it goes without saying that effectiveness as a yabusame warrior and ensuring survival of oneself and one’s horse in battle required first rate mastery of both horsemanship and archery, but, in combination, each was made drastically more difficult by the other: being able to command a horse whilst both hands manipulate a bow and arrow, and managing pinpoint-accurate archery from the bucking, speeding back of a galloping horse is no mean feat!

Arguably, the foundation of success in this apparently impossible activity is that stalwart phrase of Japanese motivation, gambare (pronounced “gam-ba-reh) – “I will do my best”. It’s not just a platitude, a throw-away phrase, or some words to fill-in conversation – when the Japanese say it, they mean that they will pursue their goals with laser-like focus and absolute determination.

…and so it is with mastering horseback archery; the amount of dedication and effort that goes in to Kamakura’s September yabusame event is simply enormous. In honour of their samurai history, (and in addition to their full-time jobs) the participants spend all year hand-making their armour and equipment – even their bows and arrows – and practicing horsemanship, archery, and the combination of the two, evening after evening, day after day, week after week. Even for a festival, the commitment shown is immense, and yet, it is a labour of love – after all, it is their samurai ancestors inspiring their motivation.

Ever keen on the use of symbols to illustrate a concept of personal empowerment, it is in recognition of the efforts of today’s yabusame horseback archers that Kendo Nagasaki says to you, “Gambare – do your best”. Take inspiration from those whose extreme dedication leads to mastering the apparently impossible, and you will find that you, too, can do the same.

In terms of healing, this can take many forms – the need for healing illustrates an inner challenge, the presence of a challenge compels the search for the inner resources to meet it, whether that be clearing the mind in order to hear the guidance of the intuitive self on how to act or what to do, or looking even deeper for perspectives on one’s place in the universe. Above all other types of journey, a health challenge compels the inner journey as a quest for inner strength, spiritual insight, intuitive inspiration; as a metaphorical journey, it is arguably an even greater challenge than one where the obstacles are merely physical.

This September, Kendo’s 13/13:13 Healing Ceremony falls on a Friday, and as such, additional mystical energy is available for direction into self-empowerment. Just as the number 13 symbolises misunderstood energies which are available to you if you have the courage to seize them, if you take the right approach towards Friday 13th, you can reverse your misfortunes.

Look deep into Kendo’s Hand-Eye-Hexagram, and know that the power of the universe is available to you! See that power flowing into your physical and spiritual self, and feel the fabric of your self evolving, becoming refined, enriched, empowered. Practice this self-empowerment meditation daily, and your ability to maintain a harmonious connection with the empowering spirits of nature will become effortless, and eventually, permanent. In the face of such finely-honed self-empowerment skills, you will see your challenge cut down to size, as if set about with a fine samurai sword!

So, warrior – take heart, gambare, and be empowered.