Visitors
to this page are invited to submit poems or writings that speak
to the spirit of the warrior's way for possible inclusion on our
web site. Please send your writings to tvalentino@yoseikankarate.com.
The
Spirit of the Warrior's Way
By Kyoshi Terry Valentino
The barbarian serves himself.
The warrior serves another.
The barbarian fights in order to take and destroy.
The warrior fights to protect and preserve.
The barbarian takes life to save his own.
The warrior gives up his life in the service of others.
The barbarian is motivated by greed.
The warrior is motivated by loyalty.
The barbarian loses himself in lies.
The warrior discovers himself in seeking the truth.
The barbarian's weakness is hatred and fear.
The warrior's strength is love and acceptance of death.
Before
we engage in the battle between the warrior and the barbarian
externally, we must fight the battle between the warrior and the
barbarian within ourselves. If we emerge from this battle victorious
as a warrior, then regardless of the outcome of the external battle,
we will have won.