In order to come to these types of conclusions, a person often needs inspiration. This inspiration can come from anywhere and anything, as long as a person is receptive. One area of rich inspiration, that is often criticized and ignored as sources of personal development, is popular culture. Laughed off as "just entertainment". Any deeper analysis into popular cultural themes is chide as taking it (the movie, book, piece of music etc.) too seriously by many in the mainstream. However, for those of us on the fringes, many of the things that we love, and often obsess about, in popular culture not only say something about ourselves, but also about who we want to be. I believe in the 7 principles of Bushido, and I have popular culture to thank for that.
Bushido is the moral code of the Samurai class. There are seven basic principles that a Samurai must follow:
Integrity (GI)
This is being acutely honest in all of your dealings with other people. Demanding justice in yourself and your actions, making sure that all points of view are considered.
Respect (REI)
This is being courteous to others, even the ones that you don't like. Having respect means not "showing off" your strength, being humble. The true strength of a person is in their actions during difficult times
Courage (YU)
This is living life fully and completely. To understand fear as having a natural existence, but not being ruled by it. The ability to do "the right thing" even when it is unpopular, or difficult. You need to have the courage to explore and live within the world.
Compassion (JIN)
This is the practice of empathy. To have compassion, is to care deeply about other people and act from that level of care, with an individuals best interest in mind. Compassion is not always being soft or giving in, but giving individuals what they need ( physically, emotionally, spiritually) when they need it.
Honesty/Sincerity (MOKOTO)
Saying what you mean, and meaning what you say. To be honest is to speak truths, not falsehoods. By always doing what you set out to do, there is no need to promise, there is just what is done.
Duty and Loyalty (CHU)
Anyone who is under your care you have a fierce loyalty towards. There is a truth and commitment in all actions that does not waver.
Honor (MEIYO)
A person's actions and decisions are a reflection of who they are. This is the apex of the Samurai code. Shame and regret are the opposite of Honor. One needs to be truthful to oneself...you can not hide from who you are.
My first exposure to deeper philosophical meaning was through the popular culture of Superhero comic books and Greek Mythology; reading about "The Hero's Journey". Yet, I wasn't exposed to aspects of Bushido until I saw Star Wars: Episode VI: Return of the Jedi (I first saw the original trilogy in reverse order). When Luke's final trial (his second duel with Darth Vader) is over and he decides not to go to "the dark side" he becomes a Jedi (who were modeled after the Samurai Class). Seeing this process, I started to make important decisions about who I wanted to be, and how I should act. Over the years, as I continue to consume more popular culture, I always find something, a movie, show, character etc. that reaffirms my belief in these 7 principles: Seven Samurai, The Last Samurai, Samurai 7, Samurai Champloo, Any Bruce Lee film, The American, The Dark Knight Trilogy, and now, The Wolverine ( Please read my review).
In "The Wolverine"( and many times in the comics) Logan is posited as a Ronin, a Samurai without a master. Throughout the film, in all of his actions and interactions, Logan either demonstrates or learns the principles of Bushido. He has Integrity in his actions, especially when a "gift" is offered to him. He learns Respect (and his true strength) when his healing factor is suppressed. All of Logan's battles in the film are displays of Courage, especially in those moments when the fear of death is very real. Logan's Compassion is brought out in him by Yukio and Mariko, as is his sense of Duty and Loyalty. He protects them because they are in his care. In the process of hunting down the Yakuza, Logan is Honest. To him, saying and doing are one in the same (particularly when he threatens). At the end of the film, Logan embraces his sense of Honor by finally forgiving himself of a past shame. Logan even triumphantly declares at one point: "[I'm] The Wolverine.", no longer hiding from who he is...a Samurai. Therefore, by embracing the 7 principles of Bushido, "The Wolverine" is a modern day Samurai film (Jidaigeki) and the latest in a long list of inspirational sources.
In closing, one of my favorite poems by Ralph Waldo Emerson titled "Success", states that one measurement of success (and by extension a meaningful life) is to make a single life breathe a little easier because you have lived. Emerson discusses other criteria ( like laughing, weathering betrayal, gaining respect of good people etc.), but it is the very altruistic notion of helping just one other person, (resulting in the validation of your existence) that is both personally appealing and accentuates the interconnected nature of individuals (Mills was probably a fan). The idea is simple, and to the point: By helping others, we help ourselves. This is something that I have learned from Bushido through popular culture...and I hope I am a better person for it.
