> “If you understand, things are just as they are. If you do not understand, things are just as they are.” Zen Maxim My friend Kevin, who is now serving in Afghanistan, once asked me what my ultimate definition of a warrior is.
I constantly get letters and emails from people telling me, in no uncertain terms, that I don’t know what I am talking about and have no business talking about what a real warrior is, after all, I am just some peon martial artist, not a soldier or a cop…what do I know about being a warrior! Well, if you define the term “Warrior” as someone who is experienced in military combat, I guess that counts a lot of people out.
> “Ohhh! Great warrior! Wars not make one great!” Yoda My definition of a warrior, and the definition that I have deduced from the many, many writings passed down throughout the ages, both from military and martial arts sources, doesn’t define a warrior in those terms.
My ultimate definition of the term “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 honor which has been refined from intensive study and meditation.
> “A thing does not therefore cease to be true because it is not accepted by many.” Benedict Spinoza > “All truth passes through three stages. First, it is ridiculed. Second, it is violently opposed. Third, it is accepted as being self-evident.” Arthur Schopenhauer 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.
> “The master warrior is a man of character, a man of wisdom and insight.” Forrest E. Morgan If you notice, the definition of the warrior, that is taken from description of the warrior’s character from throughout the ages, doesn’t require one to be engaged in military duty or law enforcement.
Being a soldier or a cop doesn’t automatically make you a warrior any more than knowing how to throw a football makes you John Elway or Joe Montana.
You can be a warrior without being in a profession that requires you to enter into combat, and you can find your butt in the middle of a fire fight and be no more of a warrior than someone who finds themselves caught in a drive by shooting.
Let’s take a look at Webster’s definition of a warrior once more.
English Proverb Are Islamic terrorists warriors? Many have argued with me that yes they are…after all, they fight for what they think is right.
> “Truth doesn’t change because it is, or is not, believed by a majority of the people.” Giordano Bruno No, Nazis were not warriors.
W. Clement Stone There is a difference in being a soldier and a warrior.
There is a difference in being a fighter and a warrior.
You can be a soldier, a fighter, a cop, a martial artist, a cowboy, a teacher, or anything else that you want to list, without being a warrior.
At the same time, you can be a warrior while being any of the above.
You make the decision about whether or not you are going to be a warrior and live the warrior lifestyle, not your profession, not your training, and not your bloviating, opinionated friend who thinks that he is the ultimate authority on the subject because of his past experiences.
My friend Kevin is a true warrior, not because he is in Afghanistan fighting, but he is a true warrior who is in Afghanistan fighting.
Would Kevin be less of a warrior if he were back at home driving a tractor or teaching in his local high school? Would that all of a sudden change his abilities, his character or his code of honor? A warrior is a warrior, no matter where he is or what he may be doing.
A man who is not a warrior is not a warrior, even if he finds himself on the front lines.
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