Bamboo philosophy

(1) Bend but don't break. Be flexible yet firmly rooted

One of the most impressive things about the bamboo in the forest is how they sway with even
the slightest breeze. This gentle swaying movement with the wind is a symbol of humility. Their
bodies are hard and firm and yet sway gently in the breeze while their trunks stay rooted firmly
in the ground below. Their foundation is solid even though they move and sway harmoniously
with the wind, never fighting against it. In time, even the strongest wind tires itself out, but the
bamboo remains standing tall and still.
 
(2) Remember: What looks weak is strong
The body of a single bamboo tree is not large by any means when compared to the other much
larger trees in the forest. It may not look impressive at first sight at all. But the plants endure
cold winters and extremely hot summers and are sometimes the only trees left standing in the
aftermath of a typhoon. They may not reach the heights of the other trees, but they are strong
and stand tall in extreme weather. Bamboo is not as fragile as it may appear, not by a long shot.
Remember the words of a great Jedi Master: "Size matters not. Look at me. Judge me by my
size do you?" We must be careful not to underestimate others or ourselves based only on old
notions of what is weak and what is strong. You may not be from the biggest company or the
product of the most famous school, but like the bamboo, stand tall, believe in your own
strengths, and know that you are as strong as you need to be.
 
(3) Be always ready
Unlike other types of wood which take a good deal of processing and finishing, bamboo needs
little of that. As the great Aikido master Kensho Furuya says in Kodo: Ancient Ways, "The
warrior, like bamboo, is ever ready for action." In presentation or other professional activities
too, through training and practice, we can develop in our own way a state of being ever ready.
 
(4) Unleash your power to spring back
Bamboo is a symbol of good luck and one of the symbols of the New Year celebrations in Japan.
The important image of snow-covered bamboo represents the ability to spring back after
experiencing adversity. In winter the heavy snow bends the bamboo back and back until one
day the snow becomes too heavy, begins to fall, and the bamboo snaps back up tall again,
brushing aside all the snow. The bamboo endured the heavy burden of the snow, but in the end
it had to power to spring back as if to say "I will not be defeated."
 
(5) Find wisdom in emptiness
It is said that in order to learn, the first step is to empty ourselves of our preconceived notions.
One can not fill a cup which is already full. The hollow insides of the bamboo reminds us that
we are often too full of ourselves and our own conclusions; we have no space for anything else.
In order to receive knowledge and wisdom from both nature and people, we have to be open
to that which is new and different. When you empty your mind of your prejudices and pride
and fear, you become open to the possibilities.
    
(6) Commit to (continuous) growth
Bamboo trees are among the fastest-growing plants in the world. It does not matter who you
are — or where you are — today, you have amazing potential for growth and with sustained
effort, you are always growing. Do not be discouraged by what you perceive as your lack of
growth or improvement. If you have not given up, then you are growing, you just may not see it
until much later.
 
(7) Express usefulness through simplicity
Aikido master Kensho Furuya says that "The bamboo in its simplicity expresses its usefulness.
Man should do the same." Indeed, we spend a lot of our time trying to show how smart we are,
perhaps to convince others — and ourselves — that we are worthy of their attention and
praise. Often we complicate the simple to impress and we fail to simplify the complex out of
fear that others may know what we know. Life and work are complicated enough without our
interjecting the superfluous. If we could lose our fear, perhaps we could be more creative and
find simpler solutions to even complex problems that ultimately provide the greatest usefulness
for our audiences, customers, patients, or students.

But how does this relate to you? The Word tells us, “For you have need of endurance, so
that after you have done the will of God, you may receive the promise.” (The Bible,
Hebrews 10:36)