What I learned from a 16th generation Samurai and how its reinforcing my commitments
Today’s note is all about my retreat with a 16th-generation Samurai, why I went, what I learned and why some of you should invest in the Play Co founding cohort because the world is changing and let’s be ready.
Let’s get into it.
What was this and why did I go?
Ever since my childhood babysitter mentioned the term “Buddhism” or my father sent me spiritual meditations during anxiety spirals, I’ve been interested in Eastern traditions, concepts and practices to weave into my very Western and now fast paced New York City life.
When my creative muse
posted that she was going to the first ever Female Executive Samurai Retreat led by Samurai Sensei Zen Takai @thezensamurai at @ahamaliving in Turkey - something in me clicked, “Yep, this is part of my sabbatical journey.”(Ironically, a man I met during my time in Italy showed me some samurai tactics, so my brain was properly primed to say yes to this.)
On a personal level - for my 40th birthday year, I wanted to travel alone. I wanted a retreat where silence and discipline were encouraged and I wanted to visit a place that was a little outside of my comfort zone.
I’ll say it again: The times are changing
For generations, Samurai teachings were passed only within Samurai families, and now Sensei Zen Takai, the last of his lineage, has made it his purpose to share his wisdom with the world.
This retreat was specifically focused on woman because times are shifting and calling for the gifts that many women naturally possess.
Rooted in Japanese Shinto & Buddhist philosophy, the Sensei’s teachings reflect the harmony of the elements that surround us.
Call it the Age of Aquarius. The Wind era. The Yin era. The era of the female energy (which we all have btw). The Age of Remembering. The Horse Year.
The leaders and the businesses will begin to look differently as we get further into these moments.
How can we be most prepared for this?
Harness your own inner strength. Release control of the material world and tap into our one collective power. Simple, eh?
What I learned and how I’m applying this
Good and evil, yin and yang are all part of us. Rather than hating the “bad” in yourself or anyone else - let it sit neutrally in your body.
In the Wind Generation, post-covid where information is coming to us faster and people are more fluid in their lives, its time to nurture your intuition to best understand whats true. You can do this by paying attention to your back and what happens behind you (!). Literally.
❗It’s essential to detach from all of the information coming our way. Do you do a daily detox? Even just right before bed, 30 minutes.
Let the paradox within each situation be. I’m going to release the need to logically understand everything.
Your mind is unreliable (sky energy), your emotions change (fire energy)The only place to make decisions from is from the gut or the ““tanden” (丹田)”.
Don’t anticipate the message. Receive it. As a deeply intuitive person, I tend to reach for the right answer. But my lesson is to wait and let the message come.
Balance in all things. In Japanese culture everything is about balance. Don’t give 100% to anything. Not your marriage, job, kids. 60% percent is the right amount of energy to give to allow that space to grow naturally.
Everything is an energy exchange. Battle, sword meditation, calligraphy, flower arranging - be one with the natural flow of things. Receive the energy and change the atmosphere to match your purpose.
You have to find your own way in samurai transition. I love this. Tradition is important but you have to apply the tactics to your personality, your particular time period in life.
Always keep a wide view. The Sensei would always have us maintain a wide view during meditation or sword training. Don’t focus on any one thing. Have a wide view that contains more than what you can see right in front of you, a view that contains the future and the purpose.
Sword movement as meditation. Ironically practicing with the sword is less about force than it is about tapping into the natural power of your body, gravity, and the channeling of the natural elements - ground, wind, fire, sky, water - and achieving them all in a balance.
Zen in the Art of Archery. We received this book in our gift bag, which I didn’t read much yet but I know its about releasing control in order to properly reach our targets. When you feel yourself over controlling, you’re going in the wrong direction.
A Neutral Place. The tea ceremony is a ritual which represents neutral territory in Japanese culture - no swords, no yelling, just a slow and deliberate ceremony dedicated to peace and ritual.
kokoro (心 - heart mind spirit connection. Controlling your inner world allows you to move with quiet power. His note for me was kokoro (心 - heart mind spirit connection) if I master my inner peace, I will be unstoppable. Yikes, spot on.
Flowing with the energy of the day. The morning is the time for decisions, the night is for forgetting all of that and just enjoying yourself.
This retreat was created and held with so much integrity and intention — I’m grateful to Sensei Takai for transmitting wisdom that has historically been kept within Samurai families, and for sharing it with women at this particular moment in time.
Whew! Ok, that’s enough for now. I’ll continue sharing as more emerges in me. But know this is all part of us and what I hope to share with the world. Which is why…
I know some of y’all are meant to be in the Founding January Cohort of The Play Collective.
The future is arriving. How do you want to meet it?
It’s not groundbreaking to say that in 10 years, heck maybe 3 years, everything is going to look really different.
You all can already sense it, that I know.
I won’t claim to know how this all pans out but I do know that those who are committing to themselves and to this inevitable change will be at the forefront.
The Play Collective is where we practice that kind of leadership. It’s where we go deep, stay curious, build capacity, and reimagine what power looks like — together.
The founding cohort launching in January will be small and powerful. It is for the ones who are ready to invest in themselves and in our collective future.
Pull up. I’d love to have you. Email me at hi@playcollective.co.
The Sensei interpreted my name as “Vibrating Fire”. No bragging but that feels right. I invite you in as a build a group of people vibrating this fire across the world.
There is so much darkness but so much light.
(sometimes) I love it here.
Kara
Whew, this retreat sounds transformative. I feel like we’re in the same space and learning the same lessons lol. Sometimes I beat myself up for learning them the hard way, but then I read pieces like this and I’m gentler. Thanks for sharing!!