“By Psychic Forces”
The word “shogun” is a title that was granted by the Emporer to the top military commander. Between 794-1185, members of the military gradually became more powerful than the court officials and eventually took control of the whole government. It is no wonder, as Yoritomo Tashi understood so much about influence.
He writes – “Intensity of determination, when it reaches a certain point, possesses a dazzling influence which few ordinary mortals can resist, for it envelopes them before they are aware of it…”
Did you ever meet someone who was so incredibly determined that you couldn’t resist helping them? Yoritomo goes on to say that you don’t even want to resist him. You like to go along with people like that.
“They are rare who are morally sufficient for themselves and who pass through life without feeling the need of resting their weaknesses on a supporting and directing force.”
He goes onto say that one of the reasons for this is that they don’t have to take responsibility – they can blame someone else if things go wrong.
“Still less numerous are those who accept with courage the consequences of their acts and do not seek to place the responsibility for those acts on outside influence, which they are ready to repudiate if they are successful. But should failure come…they blame it on their advisors.”
He is saying people take the credit when things go well, but blame others when they don’t.
“The timid group are afraid to act except under an impelling power.”
As we close the day, let me give you more passages from the shogun that you can interpret for yourself.
“There are a small group of persons of bad faith…some have a sickly dependence on others…feeling incapable of achieving anything themselves, they are content to enjoy the fruit of others exertions, and they take credit themselves. Listen when they speak, but don’t look them in the eye so as not to be swayed by them, saving your psychic forces for when you speak to influence them.”
“…give your thought the strength and fixity required to influence others…and don’t get distracted for a moment…the effort will produce vibratory waves the circulation of which must touch the brain of those whom they wish to subjugate.”
I find this fascinating. Anything that stands the test of 1000 years – it’s not the superficial expressions of the latest book with a catchy title.
More tomorrow!
Appreciate the Emails, Larry.
Are you sure this book was written by Yoritomo? The only books I can find by this man were written by French Self-help writers in the 1910’s.
“The Mental Efficiency Series”
The words you are reading were deduced from the first Shogun’s letters.
He never wrote a book.
Now, the ideas are still interesting and probably come from ancient Japan. Still will buy the book.
Might be written through the eyes of a Frenchman tho…
Sounds like the shogun read the Bible a few times, and if he didn’t, its “apparent” (haha) that the truth is engrained in us, after all we were created in the image of God. How unfortunate that some will never come to accept the Author of truth as their source of strength.
Interesting concepts. Enjoying the read. Agree with Jeff’s comments that I’ve gained much wisdom from a Book written 2,000 years ago. I do appreciate this author and look forward to future seeing more.