Do I Dishonor AA?
In and above all things samurai are honorable - that means we abide to a code of conduct and behavior. In AA, that code is called the Twelve Traditions. The above ideogram is kanji for the term samurai, which originally meant "those who serve in close attendance to nobility." I've take samurai training, and there is much more to it than meets the eye. Being samurai is all about honor.
The Lost Virtue of Respect
The word bushi (武士, lit. "warrior or armsman") first appears in an early history of Japan called Shoku Nihongi (続日本記, 797 A.D.). Bushi was the name given to the ancient Japanese soldiers from traditional warrior families. The bushi class was developed mainly in the north of Japan. They formed powerful clans, which in the 12th Century were against the noble families who were grouping themselves to support the imperial family who lived in Kyoto. Samurai was a word used by the Kuge aristocratic class with warriors themselves preferring the word bushi. The term Bushidō, the "way of the warrior," is derived from this term and the mansion of a warrior was called bukeyashiki.
The terms bushi and samurai became synonymous near the end of the 12th century, according to William Scott Wilson in his book Ideals of the Samurai—Writings of Japanese Warriors. Wilson's book thoroughly explores the origins of the word warrior in Japanese history as well as the kanji used to represent the word. Wilson states that bushi actually translates as "a man who has the ability to keep the peace, either by literary or military means, but predominantly by the latter".
In Japanese, the word ronin means "wave man", a person destined to wander aimlessly forever, like the waves in the sea. The word came to mean a samurai who was no longer in the service of a lord because his lord had died, because the samurai had been banished or simply because the samurai chose to become a ronin.
|...day 74/90 and the ronin are starting to get ugly - they can't seem to help themselves. Clubhouse or not, if they are in an AA meeting list (and they are), then the 12 traditions apply, regardless whether or not they care to uphold them. As for me, I choose to stay loyal to the program of AA, which means that EVERYBODY gets to share their truth without fear of harassment or intimidation.
Whether or not I agree with anybodys else's experience, I must hold still and keep my mouth shut. Likewsie, when I am sharing my experience with God and the steps (the solution to Alcoholism), I expect the same.
Never once have I raised my hand to 'share' in that room; it is a waste of energy. I am only there at my sensei's behest, for to ignore his direction would bring me dishonor; and I only contribute my experience upon demand. I do not share opinions; there is only truth and our Book. Page 82 clearly makes the case that the 1st step is not nearly enough. What more is left to say on this?If they choose to be unhappy, that is their choice; besides, there are only 16 meetings left for me to attend there.
I take the program of AA very seriously, and no amount of insolence shall deter me if I am asked to carry this message. Were I to ignore egregious behavior while participating in a meeting of alcoholics anonymous, that would dishonor me as ronin - and I refuse to surrender my honor to a gutter snipe.
On a personal note I pity the chairman. There was nothing evidenced on his part but dishoner. He is duty bound by his position to do what is right by upholding the traditions. I've seen newcomers with less than 30 days do a better job of maintaining discipline.
The traditions are very precious, for AA will die without them, and I wish AA to be around for my nephew when he is finally ready - if he lives long enough.
Occasionally, giving a child a public spanking is the highest from of service one can perform. Sometimes 'two eyes have to close so a thousand can remain open'.
The Tao Te Ching instructs us thusly:
Pray for Peace - but Prepare for War.
COG, 1st Cl.|
The terms bushi and samurai became synonymous near the end of the 12th century, according to William Scott Wilson in his book Ideals of the Samurai—Writings of Japanese Warriors. Wilson's book thoroughly explores the origins of the word warrior in Japanese history as well as the kanji used to represent the word. Wilson states that bushi actually translates as "a man who has the ability to keep the peace, either by literary or military means, but predominantly by the latter".
A samurai with no attachment to a code of conduct (大名) is called a ronin (浪人).
An AA member with no observance of our Twelve Traditions is called a parasite.
An AA member with no observance of our Twelve Traditions is called a parasite.
In Japanese, the word ronin means "wave man", a person destined to wander aimlessly forever, like the waves in the sea. The word came to mean a samurai who was no longer in the service of a lord because his lord had died, because the samurai had been banished or simply because the samurai chose to become a ronin.
|...day 74/90 and the ronin are starting to get ugly - they can't seem to help themselves. Clubhouse or not, if they are in an AA meeting list (and they are), then the 12 traditions apply, regardless whether or not they care to uphold them. As for me, I choose to stay loyal to the program of AA, which means that EVERYBODY gets to share their truth without fear of harassment or intimidation.
Whether or not I agree with anybodys else's experience, I must hold still and keep my mouth shut. Likewsie, when I am sharing my experience with God and the steps (the solution to Alcoholism), I expect the same.
Never once have I raised my hand to 'share' in that room; it is a waste of energy. I am only there at my sensei's behest, for to ignore his direction would bring me dishonor; and I only contribute my experience upon demand. I do not share opinions; there is only truth and our Book. Page 82 clearly makes the case that the 1st step is not nearly enough. What more is left to say on this?If they choose to be unhappy, that is their choice; besides, there are only 16 meetings left for me to attend there.
I take the program of AA very seriously, and no amount of insolence shall deter me if I am asked to carry this message. Were I to ignore egregious behavior while participating in a meeting of alcoholics anonymous, that would dishonor me as ronin - and I refuse to surrender my honor to a gutter snipe.
On a personal note I pity the chairman. There was nothing evidenced on his part but dishoner. He is duty bound by his position to do what is right by upholding the traditions. I've seen newcomers with less than 30 days do a better job of maintaining discipline.
The traditions are very precious, for AA will die without them, and I wish AA to be around for my nephew when he is finally ready - if he lives long enough.
Occasionally, giving a child a public spanking is the highest from of service one can perform. Sometimes 'two eyes have to close so a thousand can remain open'.
The Tao Te Ching instructs us thusly:
Pray for Peace - but Prepare for War.
COG, 1st Cl.|
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Welcome as a witness to a fools journey out of the darkness. I welcome all tidings - you are all my teachers on this path toward a meaningful and purposeful sobriety.
COG, 1st Cl.