There is a technique named tobutori no kurai. This means ‘the dignity of flying birds.’ With this method you can make the enemy follow you as you wish but only by fortifying your body and mind. It is like a hawk flying high up in the sky. All the other birds stay low in fear of this predator. This is all about formidableness without the need for physical show of strength, to display your sheer power through spirit alone without violence or action, an aura of supremacy.
Have the dignity of flying birds.
To me, what comes to mind is an effortlessness, an ease. Birds cover vast distances. They navigate tough winds and precarious weather. When they take flight, they fly together.
In America, we are not used to imagining formidableness outside of physical strength. I’m not sure we know of another definition. And where can we look to find sheer power through spirit alone? We don’t have many examples. As I’ve pondered the meaning of spiritual power this month, I’ve often thought about the aura of presence that accompanies spiritual leaders. They do not force their way into a room. They don’t announce their presence. Their voices do not raise. And yet, all eyes are on them. We look to them to lead us, because we trust they will lead us in the right direction.
And everyone knows they are hawks, or eagles, and not pigeons.
This excerpt from The Shoninki comes at the very end of the manual. This part of being a shinobi, or ninja, is not about fighting skill. It is about presence. But notice that this presence is described as a technique. It is useful to have this presence.
To me, this embodies the purpose of martial arts. We come to a place of true presence within ourselves and in the world. And we hold that presence even in the face of our enemies. I’m reminded of the part of Psalm 23 that says, “You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies.” I think of this often. Who ever wants to eat a meal before their enemies? But when we are shepherded by a spiritual power, we can. We can sit there as if it is a sunny patio spot in a bistro. Our dignity cannot be moved.
I’ve also been thinking of something Chogyam Trungpa Rinpoche said. He wrote,”The key to warriorship is not being afraid of who you are. Ultimately, that is the definition of bravery: not being afraid of yourself.” When we are ourselves, there is an effortlessness to the way we carry ourselves. We operate from our center, not from an empty image, or projection. So it’s not surprising that Rinpoche says when we are afraid of who we are, we are selfish and “want to build our own little nests, our own cocoons, so that we can live by ourselves in a secure way.”
In other words, if we want to embody the dignity of flying birds, we have to leave the nest. We have to accept who we are, and move into it with purpose.
Where do you find your dignity these days? And where do you need to leave the nest?
*The Shoninki is a 17th century ninja training manual.
