bankador

The Ferryman

‘Yes, Siddharta,’ he said. ‘Is this what you mean? That the river is everywhere at the same time, at the source and at the mouth, at the waterfall, at the ferry, at the current, in the ocean and in the mountains, everywhere, and that the present only exist for it, not the
shadow of the past, nor the shadow of the future?’

Vasudeva, the ferryman
from Siddharta by Hermann Hesse

Bankero would be the more precise word, but it’s also the name given to bankers or card sharks, people who handle oodles of money. That, definitely, is not me. So I made up the word bankador. Not in the dictionary, but I like it anyway. Thus was born the name.

Call it kismet if you think that way, but all through my life I have lived near a body of water: an estero, a creek or a river--great or small. I moved a lot; still the same environment would greet me. And the funny thing is I don’t know how to swim. But that didn’t stop me from liking and be pleased and at ease with the river. The sight of it is so calming and therapeutic, never mind if it’s a miry estero.

Sometimes I fancy myself as Siddharta, by the river. He is not just a tagailog, he is the river.

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What is meant by “to cross the expanse?”
from The Book of Five Rings by Miy­amoto Mushasi


When one speaks of “crossing the expanse” it can be in the context of crossing a sea or crossing a channel. It can be a short distance or a long distance. In the course of a lifetime there are usually a number of difficult situations which could be likened to crossing an expanse. The “expanse” is crossed by piloting the boat, by researching the location of the “expanse” if it is located on a sea route, by knowing well the favorable and the unfavorable points regarding the water conditions, by making the necessary adjustments according to the conditions, regardless of whether another boat or other boats will be accompanying your boat, by relying on a crosswind or by being pushed by the tailwind, and if the wind direction changes, by rowing for three to five miles, all with the intention of reaching the port.

In order to pass through life, there is the need to have a spirit, to be decisive about exerting all of one’s energies to overcome the difficulties.

In Heiho* and in battle, also, crossing the expanse is important. Overcoming a difficulty, knowing the extent of the opponent, and being aware of one’s strengths and acting according to the principles of Heiho is the same as an excellent captain crossing a sea route.
Once you have overcome the difficulty, you can feel safe. By crossing the expanse, the weaknesses of the opponent come to light, and one is placed in a position of superiority so that in most cases, it is possible to achieve victory. Crossing the expanse is important; be it in terms of Heiho as applied to a conflict which involves many, or conflict which is one-on-one. This ought to be well and carefully appreciated.

*In Mushasi’s view, Heiho literally means the path to enlightenment. It is not enlightenment itself. While enlightenment or fulfillment or success in accomplishing your objectives may be the goal, Heiho is merely the way to get there—Mushasi’s way to get there. While Mushasi is convinced that using his Heiho will insure success, it is not the success, or the goal, that is the point.

It is the way you do something, how you do something, rather than what it is you actually do, that is addressed by Heiho. Heiho is what it takes to develop the right outlook, the right attitude, that frees you to be successful. Remember that success here is not the goal; the goal is the correct application of Mushasi’s Heiho to your activities.

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