One Flash of Lightning: A Samurai Path for Living the Moment

by Stephanie J.T. Russell

One Flash of Lightning is a unique and timely interpretation of Bushido, the Samurai code of conduct. This book visits the spiritual path of self-knowledge practiced by the legendary warriors who shaped the course of Japanese history and cultural identity. The text explores Bushido's universal, timeless relevance to human nature, and humanity's ongoing quest for integrity, candor, and the relentless pursuit of truth. One Flash of Lightning transposes the Samurai code across centuries to the modern psyche, in the common language of compassion, decency, and abiding moral strength. Stephanie JT Russell links East and West with ageless questions of our place in life-our purpose, belonging, and sense of honor-and explores the potential of full awareness and vital presence in the world.

Genres: Philosophy

112 pages, Paperback

First published June 1, 2005

Reviews

[Daniel Izumihara · Rating 1 out of 5]

Phew, this was terrible. This wasn't insightful or in any way edifying at all. It's like the author took the core tenets of Bushido and just reinterpreted it into her own version of new age, woo woo mysticism. I doubt the author has any knowledge of Bushido or samurai culture. At least it doesn't show in this book. It's just a collection of platitudes that exploits Japanese culture.

[Marla · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fascinating collection of Bushido affirmations as well as their modern applications.

[Tim · Rating 1 out of 5]

I would rank this lower if I could. This book is either an attempt to cash in on something that looks promising or the author is incredibly misguided or ill-informed. What you have here is a new age-y spin on what some people would like to believe rather than something with a true foundation. There are 'facts' thrown out as history without any references, and a number of them are plain wrong. Then there are the descriptions of "Bushido's eight basic principles" once again presented as historically-based, but (1) Bushido is a modern term, it didn't exist when it existed (get it?) and (2) where did she pick the number 8 from? I have seen seven although that is one person's opinion and as Bushido was never an organized movement anyone could pick any number they wanted. They wouldn't have any legitimacy but... Even with the 7 which is the only number I have seen from a viable source, it isn't like the author took those seven and added one on. No, instead they chose 5 of the 7, and then picked another 3 to tack on after that. Why? Because it would then support the story they want you to believe. When an author says:

"Stripped of its historical, and indeed its military contexts, the essence of Bushido is universal." Um, stripped of those contexts it then has no context and is thus meaningless. The author shortly after that then goes on to say that "Loving compassion represented the highest virtue." Really? REALLY? I'm sorry but the author is way off target and just keeps on going. Once past the establishment of (faux) history and re-interpreted values, the text then becomes submersed in amateurish philosophizing.

It's a shame. I figured this would be a quick synopsis of bushido and samurai philosophy in a neat little package (I mean the cover artwork is cool), but instead it just creates more mis-information and for that I do indeed fault it.

[Jordan Taylor · Rating 2 out of 5]

A short book that I would probably classify more in the "Zen" section that "Japanese Culture" or anything of the like. The ideas of the author are scattered, and many irrelevant to the context. For a better book on the rich historical culture and Bushido code of Japan, read "Samurai: The Philosophy of Victory" by Robert Samuel.
Or, better yet, read the original source of such ideas: "The Art of War" by Sun Tzu.
I would not recommend this silly book to anyone.

[Chade66 · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a short cut into the ideas of Bushido, I think it more skims the surface than anything else and is deeply entwined in zen philosophy. Nice short read that gives you something to think about.

[Ronald Hoepfl]

short, but effective.

[Kelly · Rating 2 out of 5]

My husband was getting butt hurt because he said I never read the books he recommends to me. And so here I am. This book was simple and sweet. Took me just a few hours to complete. I wish the author had gone into a little more detail but then I guess it wouldn't be so simple. It was an ok read.