You can defeat ego

closeup photo of black hilt and brown sword

Or more accurately, people who have an ego. If you have an ego, winning at all costs becomes your modus operandi. This is why ego is so dangerous, you try so hard to win, you lose sight of the real reason to play the game in the first place; to play the game and learn to be a better version of your yesterday self.

The ancient Japanese (while borrowing from the Chinese) were right in knowing things were a way, rather than a black and white win and loss.

There are no winners in Kendo, the ‘way’ of the sword. Instead there is the concept Utte hansei, utarete kansha. Hit, and analyze (were you just lucky? Where could you improve?). Get hit, and appreciate (the lesson). This idea is taken straight from centuries of samurai warfare.

People with an ego think they can do one thing to ‘win’. ‘Winning’ is not the aim of the game, the aim is to play the game. As long as you’re still in the game, you’re still in the game.

This post was inspired by the recent Japan Experts podcast on Kendo. If you haven’t, I recommend you give it a listen.

ENJOYED THIS? HAVE MORE.

MOUNTAINS OF WISDOM

Subscribe to my yamabushi newsletter

RECENT BLOG POSTS

Tim Bunting AKA Kiwi Yamabushi on Zao-san
But one moment
Tim Bunting AKA Kiwi Yamabushi on Zao-san
No time to think
Tim Bunting AKA Kiwi Yamabushi on Zao-san
A lesson from Yamagata drivers

YAMABUSHI BLOG POSTS

white drone flying over brown leafless tree
Learning through action
two man hiking on snow mountain
Just one step
Ship first. Then worry about quality

RANDOM POSTS

red flower on white sand
Is your heart in it?
man raising his right arm
The guaranteed way to grow
Mt. Kinbo during the winter
Realising and addressing our weaknesses
Tim Bunting Kiwi Yamabushi

Tim Bunting Kiwi Yamabushi

Get In Touch

Sakata City, Yamagata, Japan 

tim@timbunting.com

Share this:

Like this:

Like Loading...
Scroll to Top