The Warrior Lifestyle:
The Philosophy of a True Martial Artist
Many people question me about the philosophy of the warrior lifestyle and exactly what that means. The phrase, “the warrior lifestyle,” brings out a variety of emotions from different martial artists. Some believe that the martial arts have nothing to do with being a warrior, and that only those who have been to war are entitled to use the term “warrior.” Others think that the term “warrior” only applies to those who work in warrior professions. Some guys are offended that I call it a “lifestyle.” And still others, once they learn what it truly is, strive to live the warrior lifestyle daily.
That brings us to the question of what is the warrior lifestyle? Put simply, the warrior lifestyle is living a life of character, integrity, and courage, and living by a code of honor, combined with martial arts/self-defense training. Those who live the warrior lifestyle live life by a higher standard than most people in our society. Even people who endeavor to live a life of character and integrity rarely adhere to the same values that the true warrior lives by.
The warrior lifestyle revolves around a code of honor which is non-negotiable. Those who live the warrior lifestyle take their honor and their code seriously; their personal ethics are non-negotiable. This is not to say that all their actions fit neatly into a predetermined list of ethics; they don’t. The true warrior lives by a code which is based on right and wrong; he always strives to do what’s right, no matter what the consequences may be.
Highly evolved people have their own conscience as pure law.
Lao Tzu
To the true warrior, every action can be classified as either right or wrong, honorable or dishonorable. While this may sound like everything in the warrior’s life is black and white, that is erroneous. Honor is not that simple. Right or wrong, honorable or dishonorable is not always a black or white issue. Each action must be evaluated by its intent and what’s right, not by an inflexible code.
Whether or not an action is honorable is determined by both your intentions and the situation at hand. Don’t confuse this with situational ethics. The warrior’s ethics, and dedication to doing what’s right, does not change according to the situation. While his actions will vary, his ethics remain set in stone and are always based on what is right.
An example I like to use to demonstrate this concept is as follows. Imagine that you lived in Nazi Germany during the war and were hiding two Jewish girls. Of course, part of your honor code should be to be honest and not lie. But what if Nazi soldiers came to your door and asked if you had any Jews in your home? Would it be right to tell them the truth because it is your code not to lie, or would it be right to lie to the Nazis in order to save the girls’ lives? Of course, lying to the Nazi soldiers would be the right thing to do in this circumstance.
This is just one example that proves that honor is not black and white. Situational ethics means that that one’s ethics change according to the circumstances. This doesn’t apply to the warrior lifestyle. The person who strives to live the warrior lifestyle doesn’t change his ethics; he or she always strives to do what is right in every circumstance.
While his ethics and dedication to doing what’s right remain the same, his actions will vary depending on what is required in each independent situation. Another example would have to do with the law. There is a large lake just blocks from where I live, and it is against the law to swim in the lake.
But imagine if you were walking by the lake and saw some kid out in the lake drowning. The law says that you can’t swim in the lake, but would you be willing to break the law to save that drowning kid? Of course! This brings me to the point that what is right is not always legal; and what is legal is not always right.
The warrior lifestyle is only concerned with what is right according to the warrior’s own code. How someone else sees his actions doesn’t concern him. He understands that he determines his own honor, not the opinions of other people. The warrior’s focus is on “what is right,” not on what others consider to be right.
Our own heart, and not other men’s opinion, form our true honor.
Samuel Coleridge
Many people profess a belief in moral absolutes, but they neither live by, nor truly believe in what they profess. They talk the talk, but never seem to walk the walk. The true warrior lives by his own code which is based on right and wrong. It doesn’t matter what anyone else may think about it; he does what he knows is right.
Most people today live their lives by situational ethics. They are honest unless it is in their best interest to lie. Their decisions are made according to what is best for them, instead of what is actually right. The true warrior values his honor, integrity, sense of justice, and what’s right, above all else. His ethics are not situational; they are a part of him, his way of life.
The only absolute that the warrior lives by is that of what he considers right or wrong. If it is not right, he doesn’t do it. He determines what is right and wrong by his code of honor, not some arbitrary laws or the politically correct standards of the day. The warrior doesn’t appear to be honorable; he is honorable.
The warrior lifestyle is meant to be lived, not fantasized about or simply discussed. Although martial arts training and the art of self-defense are an important part of this lifestyle, it consists of much more than knowing how to fight or defend yourself. The true warrior strives to perfect his or her character. It is living a balanced life – spiritually, mentally, and physically.
This is where the Japanese concept of kaizen comes into play, Kaizen means constant, never-ending improvement. That is what the true warrior strives for in his life. And it doesn’t apply to just his physical training; he strives to constantly improve in every area of his life daily – spirit, mind, and body.
Each part of your life is important. You must maintain the proper balance in life. In my opinion, training someone in the art of war, which is what true martial arts are, without regard to his character, only produces a dangerous man; it does not produce a true warrior.
The old martial arts masters would not train someone until they were comfortable that the student was honorable and had good character. Today, most instructors will train anyone who is willing to pay, regardless of the student’s character or lack of character. Good character should be a prerequisite for martial arts training, in my opinion. I refuse to teach a student who displays questionable character.
When discussing the warrior lifestyle, I am often asked whether I believe it is right to use the term “warrior” or if it should only apply to military men and women who have been in war, or to trained and experienced fighters. While I do realize that this is the literal definition of a warrior found in most dictionaries, this literal definition of a warrior is not the definition that is used for the warrior lifestyle. There is much more to being a true warrior than simply knowing how to fight.
A dog or a rooster can be trained to fight, but that doesn’t make either of them warriors. Being a warrior involves more than being trained to fight or being in the military; it involves character training as well. Character training is the true goal of Bushido, the way of the warrior.
Don’t misunderstand me. I have respect for our military men and women. But anyone who has ever served in the military will most likely agree that not every soldier lives with honor and character, any more than every martial artist or every person in general lives with honor and integrity. While it is common to find people who claim to take their honor and integrity seriously, it is rare to find people who truly walk the walk.
Character training is the cornerstone of the warrior lifestyle. Without a solid character, the warrior is unbalanced. He must work to perfect his character and maintain his honor, just as he should his martial arts skills. It is all important! His code requires that he must be ready to defend his family, friends, and himself when required, but it also requires him to live a life of honor and integrity.
Without a sense of honor which is based on a deep understanding of right and wrong, there is no warrior, only someone who is trained to fight. There is a big difference between someone who is trained to fight and a true warrior. There is no warrior lifestyle without character, honor, and integrity.
The warrior lifestyle is for anyone who wants to live a life of excellence; a life which adheres to a strict code of honor and integrity. The warrior must be willing to live his life based on honor, integrity, and what is right. The warrior lifestyle requires that you put your honor and integrity before your comfort or desires, and that you put what is right before what is profitable. It requires dedication to family and friends, as well as to what’s right, and a willingness to help those in need.
It requires one to be independent in thought and action. The warrior lifestyle is a decision to live a life of honor, not a profession. It requires you to maintain balance in your life between your sense of honor, your physical training, and your spiritual life. You must continuously strive to be better than you were the day before.
Today is victory over yourself of yesterday;
tomorrow is your victory over lesser men.
Miyamoto Musashi
This is just a brief introduction to the warrior lifestyle. I go into greater detail on how to integrate each of these aspects into your life, and much more, in my books. Once you make a firm decision to live the warrior lifestyle, you will find that every area of your life will be enhanced.
The warrior lifestyle is not a goal to be achieved, but rather a road to be traveled. May you travel this road with honor. Warrior up!
Dr. Bohdi Sanders has been a martial artist for over 40 years. He began training in 1984 with Bob and Nikki Allen, and received his dan ranks with Shihan William Jackson. Bohdi currently holds the rank of 5th Dan in Shotokan Karate and has been inducted into several martial arts halls of fame. He is a multiple award-winning author of 17 books, most of them on the warrior lifestyle, martial arts philosophy, and warrior philosophy.
His award-winning books have been endorsed by some of the best martial artists of today, including: Sifu Al Dacascos, GM Bill Staley, Master Frank Dux, GM Ted Gambordella, Soke Robert Cutrell, GM Phil Torres, Colonel U.S. Marines, retired, Master Allen Woodman, Master Danny Lane, Professor Karen Sheperd, GM Sid Rayford, Master Cheryl Kowalski, Shihan Dana Abbott, Hanshi Michael McGann, Kyoshi William Powell, and many others. His books are available on: The Wisdom Warrior Bookstore and on Special Package Deals. Bohdi can be reached at: WarriorWisdom@comcast.net.
