One Goal, Many Paths.
19 Feb 2016Jubei Himura
Feb 18, 3302As I travel system to system, I will record a fond memory of a lesson from my Master:
I was sixteen years old then. Not a boy anymore but still not a man. Back then I was an Imperial slave, paying back my debt from when I was a common thief as a child. Master Hattori was the one who owned my contract and usually had upwards of five hundred slaves at a time. However, if anyone called us slaves (including ourselves) Master Hattori would get furious.
"Those who serve under my direction are not slaves! Slaves are people who are forced into oppression. Every man, woman, and child under my care is here of their own discretion! They choose honour and servitude over dishonour and poverty. My only command is that they serve and contribute to the land that they live on, help the people around them, and improve themselves." he would say in his speech to the new arrivals each year.
For one reason or another, I would frequently have lessons under the Master's tutelage. He would train me in martial arts and strategy along with his son Katsu. Every lesson would end with a philosophical life lesson.
"What is the most important aspect of Tensatsuken?" Master Hattori asked after a particularly grueling session. Tensatsuken was the name of our art.
"Self-improvement through balance." answered Katsu.
"Very good." Master Hattori smiled. "Jubei, tell me our creed."
"Through strength, learn gentleness. Through gentleness, strength will prevail." I replied. "Gentle strength becomes peace."
"Right." The master said as he looked up to the sky. "Peace is always the goal. This is true with both inner peace of the soul, and galactic peace out in the black."
"Father, how can this be said? What of the Federation and their strong-arm tactics? Or the Warlord Pirate?" Katsu asked, quite confused. "What about the Alliance and the people who fly unaligned, refusing to do anything? I also fail to see everyone wanting peace when others refuse to fight for it, preferring to escape to distant stars, trade materials, or simply make a fuss about small things."
"Katsu! Learn to see things from other perspectives." Master's voice boomed. "There are many paths to peace. We choose the path of the warrior so that we can be strong enough to protect others who cannot. Others explore so that we may expand our knowledge of the galaxy. Many trade goods so that poorer communities can get the equipment needed for a better life. Some find what they perceive to be injustices and they seek to correct those issues."
"Every person plays their part in the totality of the universe. Peace requires people from all walks of life. Idealists, warriors, teachers, traders, explorers, miners, all wish for peace and believe that the path they have chosen leads to that goal."
"I think understand..." I said hesitantly.
Master Hattori looked back at us and smiled. "Think of this, Tensatsuken borrows it's aggressive fighting aspects from Karate, Ninjutsu, and Kenjutsu which develops our bodies. We balance that with passive meditation from Yoga and Zen Buddhism to develop our mind and spirit. A warrior protects while an idealist works to better society. A soldier fights to protect the teacher so that people can learn."
"The idealist and the teacher often ask 'Why must you fight and hurt others?' while warriors and soldiers ask 'Why can you not accept they way things are and defend yourselves?'. The truth is that the idealists and teachers want to spread knowledge and understanding so that there is no need for fighting or war, while warriors and soldiers fight to protect against those who do not wish to understand and want to oppress. Although the methods are different, the goal is the same: peace."
"What about pirates and dictators?" Katsu asked, listening intently. "Don't they believe what they do is for peace?"
"Good point." said my Master in reply. "While there are some pirates who believe that stealing from the rich and giving to the poor is a path to peace, there are those whose belief in peace is little more than an excuse for their own selfishness and greed. Stemming from a need to control, they believe that only under their special brand of 'order' can peace happen. They oppress the people 'for their own good'."
"Peace cannot be achieved through control or oppression. Oppression breeds conflict. Peace may only be achieved through understanding one-another, and understanding that all of us want peace. We just have different paths to walk."
After many journeys and after meeting many different people across the galaxy, I have come to understand the importance of this lesson.