Suffocate the Enemy with a Pillow

TO SUFFOCATE THE ENEMY WITH A PILLOW

What is meant by suffocating the enemy with a pillow is never permitting him to gain an advantage over you in any way. You can be sure the enemy is thinking likewise; either you lead the enemy or he will lead you. You must come to understand the value in this concept. You must also understand that the reason an enemy is fighting you is because the enemy thinks that he will defeat you. You must react instantly to an enemy’s attack. This can only be accomplished after thorough and diligent practice. If you understand this principle, then you will be able to sense an impending attack and react properly by killing the enemy before he kills you. The main thrust of my entire teaching is training and contemplation on the Way of the warrior; it is the only thing that should be in your life. It may appear that there is no room for anything else, but the reverse is true. When you are committed to a particular thing, everything else falls into place because you are not permitting yourself to be side-tracked by anothers’ whims. The strength of your courage to act on your convictions is most important in this regard. It is very hard to devote your life to something and not have anything else appear that provides you with the simple pleasures of life. On the other hand, if you pursue your perfection through a particular Way, then that will give you the pleasure of the “spirit of the thing itself.” These things are hard to understand when only written in words.

You must follow through with hard study, hard practice and immense belief in your own ideal. You have chosen to be a warrior for your own reasons. Regardless of the Way you have chosen, if you truly believe in the principles of what you are doing, you will be able to attain perfection. It does not come overnight. When you understand this, you will be a master of strategy.