Whether at home or in the battlefield, a samurai is expected to act according to a set of rules called the Bushido code. Of all the precepts of Bushido, integrity, or being true to your core values, has the most influence on a samurai’s behaviour. Nothing can be more shameful to him than to have acted with lack of integrity.
One interpretation of integrity is: “The power of deciding upon a certain course of actions in accordance with reason, without wavering”.
In other words, always make decisions based on your core values, or on what you know within you is the right thing to do. Once your decision is made, then you can be confident and go for it! No need to look back and no need to hesitate.
“To die when it is right to die, to strike when to strike is right.”
Can you imagine the certainty of your actions and the weight that would be lifted off of your shoulders?! There is a certain feeling of invincibility that comes with making decisions based on this precept. You know you've done the right thing and no matter the outcome or consequences, there was no way you would have been able to consciously choose another path at that time.
One of our core values (basically our Bushido Code) at 100% Martial Arts & Fitness is Kaizen. We believe in humility and constant growth. We believe that there is always room for improvement.
Kaizen is a big influencer in every decision we make for the dojo but it is also a value we try to convey to our students through the martial arts we teach.
