Marcar
Honour
What is it? What is this concept that has had an effect in almost every person in every culture since as far back as we can remember? What is this word that Warriors both ancient and modern, have studied and lived by? What is the appeal, if any? What is the underlying factor that puts this word very high in one's life? What does it do for us? Does it do anything? I've thought about this of late. I've never defined my honour or tried to brake it down into words. It could be that words are so limiting at times, or it could just be that it's not definable. It's the latter in my case. I can only really say at this point that it is something that is a part of me, of what is in my heart and soul. Something that I possess and which possesses me. A symbiosis of sorts. Or maybe even instinctive of what is within.
I looked it up in the dictionary and the basic gist of what it said was that honour is basically respect. A respect of everything and how that relates to you, but more importantly, in my opinion, is a respect for yourself. Honour is not tangible, it shows through ones own actions. Respect is this way too. Respect for oneself is one of the highest achievements we as individuals can achieve. It has many subtle degrees to it, almost like steps. We take them each when we are ready and we learn something new with each move we make.
Lady Qadira sent me a quote recently from a website she visited:
Toltecs define honour as "the absolute unconditional willingness to be open to supporting the purpose of the Spirit at all times."
Think on that a bit. It is certainly akin to what I was saying above yet more in a way. My original interpretation was for the Self in general. With this quote mentioning Spirit, it takes it to another level in a sense. If you have ever read Zen, one of the goals of it are a unification of Mind, Body and Spirit. Unified, the Spirit is us and we are it. Honour is a way to both support our higher selves, as well as achieving the goals we set forth to attain. Taking part in this program has the goal in mind or a starting point to it. It will give you the means to look deep within and discover the budding of or bring more into light where and what this will mean to you. While not preaching a lone way of getting there, you put it together yourself and do what works for you. Recognize this and define it. It is another way of getting to know you and your Self better. Is it a Code or a Dogma? Not really no. It is knowing yourself and your limits. Once those limits are recognized however, you work to overcome them. Do not let them impede you in any way for if you do, well why are you here then?
I heard this quote before, don't remember from where though. It's paraphrased
"Honour is a gift we give to ourselves."
It is unique to everyone person. Honour is what we make of it. It's a concept. A word. A belief. A way to think. A way to live. All of these find their way to it, but don't necessarily define it. It has been part of Codes like Chivalry and Bushido and has been part of a myriad of personal views of individuals. And that is the key. It is what we make it. It is how we live it.