Teachings,+The+Three+Points+of+Sword+Mastery

=The Three Points of Sword Mastery= (By Sam)(ael) (Return to Teachings) (Return to Wise Stories)

//The sword is practiced wrong so often these days that I wonder if I will ever need to watch my back in a fair duel. Almost insulting that more than half of the art is not even being taught. I suppose the truely wise are above insult over such petty things. I will take this from a peaceful perspective.

Learning the sword is more than practicing how to block, how to sheath, how to sleep with a blade at your side. Slice, disarm, focus. That is what is being taught in the vast majority of schools for the sword. Sadly that is the only subject being taught at too many of them.

When I stare down a more experienced swordsman that look in my eye that unnerves them is speaking to them deeply. The only message I need to communicate is this: 'you are missing something, something big. And I know it. and now you do to.' The truth of that message always sinks into the wise and subtle parts of their soul. If they listen they live and they learn the two secrets they lack. If they do not I must teach them in the last moments of their lives. I will not fight unless I must kill after all.

The fear that I inspire is because in each battle I already own both swords. Mine and my opponent's. Since a battle of swords is centered around the swords themselves and I already control both. Naturally I need only choose when my opponent must die. It was after all his choice and is his choice to face me with my own sword in his hands.

Why do I own his sword as well? You may ask this very earnestly since the secret to victory is highly sought after. First I must explain the sword in my own hands.

The sword in my hands is mine. I have learned it daily in practice and skill. I have made it mine by discaplining myself to it's arts and the mastery thereof. The first secret of sword mastery is owning your own sword and only instruction and accomplishment can do that.

Now I will own my opponents blade. Have you not remembered that the samurai who began this tradition did not fear death? Do you remember the manner? Each would go out upon the field free of any regrets and would seek death for honor and glory. Do you begin to see? How few samurai seeking their own death fall when their opponents are many and heaped in piles all dead? As I face you I seek death. I care not for your attempt to take my life. You can have it. I ache for death. I long to be released from the pain. I wish to feel your blade reach my heart and suddenly be removed of the torment. But I will not give my life up to a child for I cannot kill myself and be free. And you are so very much a child young sword holder. Because I do not fear the death you offer I own your sword. I choose when to taste and it is (I am afraid) not today or by my blade which you so courteously are holding so that I may see my loved death in the dance.

Now you see that I have my own sword and yours and in that I also have won your life and my own. What then is the third element? The last secret so underestimated and overdue for your salvation? Only immortality I am afraid.

You see I fight for a good reason and you do not. In that I have the field. For even if I let you deliver me to sweet death this day. You victory is bitter in your mouth. All goodness desires my victory. Even in your most perverted heart you cannot resist the truth of goodness.

And so I have taught you the secret of immortality. Just I fear as I must take your mortality. Time for you to taste death young one.//

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