My Perspective and Takeaways
Miyamoto Musashi is known as the greatest samurai to ever live and a respected philosopher. These achievements and reputation hold merit to the wisdom he explains in his works such as the “Book of Five Rings” and “Dokkodo.” I found many of his ideas to be useful universally in life, combat sports, and strategy. He speaks a lot about the importance of self-discipline, dedication to your art, being wary of traps, and being courageous. The principles and wisdom he explains can be applied to anyone. I will break down my perspective of the first 10 rules of Dokkodo.
Dokkodo (The way of walking alone)
- Accept everything just the way it is
- Accepting things as they are, rather than making assumptions, is a practice that can shield us from the sway of emotions, biases, and preconceptions. When we allow these influences to take hold, our perception of reality becomes cloudy, as if veiled from the truth. The power of perspective is undeniable; it can either enhance or hinder our well-being. As the Stoic philosopher Epictetus aptly put it, “It is not he who gives abuse… who offends us; but the view that we take of [it] as insulting or hurtful.” This underscores the idea that we possess the agency to choose how we respond to and perceive life’s circumstances.
- The Stoics also emphasized the dichotomy of control, dividing it into externals and internals. Externals encompass everything beyond our control, such as external circumstances and events. Internals, on the other hand, pertain to our actions, thoughts, and decisions, over which we hold sway. The Stoic wisdom encourages us to concentrate on what lies within our control. It entails acknowledging and accepting the uncontrollable externals while directing our focus toward our internals.
2. Do not seek pleasure for its own sake
- Pleasure, in and of itself, is not inherently negative; it serves as a temporary respite from the pains inherent in the human experience. Life, by its nature, involves a fair share of suffering. However, the pursuit of cheap, fleeting pleasures like alcohol and drugs can act as stumbling blocks on your path to realizing your goals and ambitions. These momentary pleasures can deceitfully create an illusion of success and happiness, yet they are ultimately transitory and often leave you feeling worse off than when you indulged in them.
- Musashi seems to suggest that while it’s acceptable to embrace pleasure when it naturally arises, actively seeking it out may not be the best course of action. Long-term gratification, as opposed to short-term indulgence, offers a more enduring sense of contentment. The pleasure derived from achieving your objectives lingers longer and holds greater value than the temporary satisfaction gained from, for instance, consuming alcohol. Therefore, it is wiser to prioritize the pursuit of long-term gratification over momentary pleasures.
3. Do not under any circumstances, depend on partial feeling
- Avoid making hasty decisions or taking actions without a strong foundation of assurance and understanding. It’s crucial to maintain a clear mind and act only when you possess certainty. Consider the image of Musashi on the battlefield – he shouldn’t engage in combat if he’s uncertain about himself or the enemy. Hesitation in such a situation can be fatal. To stay focused and maintain a clear mind, he must have unwavering confidence in his skills and a resolute intent to defeat his adversary. Any wavering could compromise his focus and mental clarity. Thus, it’s imperative to deliberate before taking action and ensure complete certainty in your choices.
- Additionally, the concept of single-mindedness holds great power. As the quote from the Hagakure suggests, “Be true to the thought of the moment and avoid distraction. Other than continuing to exert oneself, enter into nothing else, but go to the extent of living single thought by single thought.” This philosophy encourages living in the present moment and remaining entirely focused on the task at hand. By eliminating distractions and concentrating on one thought at a time, you harness the strength of single-mindedness, which can be incredibly potent in achieving your goals and maintaining mental clarity.
4. Think lightly of yourself and deeply of the world
- To think lightly of yourself involves a delicate balance of not taking yourself too seriously while also embracing humility. It’s about exuding confidence without slipping into arrogance. Recognizing that there are forces and entities greater than oneself in the world is essential. This perspective encourages staying attuned to the events unfolding around you and being open to drawing wisdom from various sources. Prioritizing community, aiding others, and showing love hold significant value. Self-centeredness is not the path to wisdom; instead, learning and personal growth thrive through interaction with others.
- Consider the way that many accomplished individuals throughout history have built upon the work of their predecessors. Striving for something greater than yourself can propel you to remarkable heights. This is where having faith in a higher power or God can prove profoundly beneficial. Such faith can provide guidance, purpose, and a sense of connection to something greater than one’s self.
5. Be detached from desire your whole life long
- In Buddhist teachings, desire is identified as the root of suffering. It’s seen as something that creates a divide between you and the universe. However, the truth is that you are an integral part of the universe, and in distancing yourself from it, you disconnect from your essence. In separating from desire, you free yourself from the shackles of illusion and remain in harmony with your higher self. This higher self represents the most developed and best version of you.
- Taking a Stoic perspective on the idea of destiny and allowing life to unfold naturally, while goals are important, they shouldn’t serve as the sole source of your happiness. Goals are subject to change, and you may not always achieve them. By releasing yourself from the grip of desire, you insulate yourself from the extreme highs and lows that life can bring. Instead, you set a governor on these emotional fluctuations, enabling you to maintain a more stable and centered existence.
6. Do not regret what you have done
- What’s in the past is done, and there’s no use in continually berating yourself for it. This doesn’t mean you should forget your past actions; rather, it implies the importance of moving forward without harboring negative attachments to your past. It brings us back to the concept of the dichotomy of control – you cannot change the past, but you do hold the power to shape your future and learn from your mistakes.
- The Hagakure, a compilation of wisdom by a retainer in Japan, offers a valuable insight: “A warrior is a man who does not hold his life in regret.” This book, compiled by a loyal samurai in service to a high-ranking family in Japan, emphasizes the idea that dwelling in regret is not the path to follow. Instead, it encourages individuals to acknowledge their past, learn from it, and embrace the power to shape a future free from the shackles of remorse.
7. Never be jealous
- The saying, “Comparison is the thief of joy,” resonates with the idea that measuring your progress against others can set you up for failure. Everyone follows a unique life path with their destiny. Continuously comparing yourself to someone more successful in a particular area can lead to feelings of inadequacy and hinder your pursuit of dreams and goals. This emotional setback can act as a roadblock, draining your motivation and diverting your focus from your objectives.
- On the flip side, comparison can serve as a motivational tool when it ignites your determination to work harder and strive for greater heights. It instills the belief that if others can achieve their goals, you can as well. However, I find it most beneficial to gauge your progress by comparing yourself to your past self. A poignant insight from David Goggins came from a podcast where he discussed his greatest fear: that upon meeting God in the afterlife, he would be shown the greater possibilities he could have accomplished if he had worked harder and aimed higher in life. This wisdom underscores the idea of continuous self-improvement, and the fear of not reaching your full potential can be a compelling driving force. It underscores the significance of taking small, daily steps toward your dreams and goals, always striving to outdo your previous achievements.
8. Never let yourself be saddened by separation
- Separation is an inescapable part of life. People enter and exit our lives for various reasons, including the inevitable event of death, or sometimes, our own choice to distance ourselves from certain individuals. It’s entirely natural to experience sadness and strong emotions when people we care about or love are no longer part of our lives. However, it’s crucial to allow these feelings to run their course and then find the strength to move forward.
- Persevering in a state of sadness indefinitely will only hinder your progress in life. Instead, I believe it’s more beneficial to prepare for the possibility of separation and to cultivate gratitude for the positive people who are currently in your life. Recognizing and cherishing these connections can provide comfort and support during challenging times and encourage personal growth and resilience.
9. Resentment and complaint are appropriate neither for oneself nor others
- Complaining and harboring resentment when things don’t go your way can be counterproductive and hinder your journey to a fulfilling life. The Hagakure wisely conveys that compassion paves the way for wisdom and courage. In a similar vein, Jordan Peterson, drawing from his experience as a clinical psychologist, emphasizes that no one truly escapes the consequences of their actions. He’s witnessed countless cases where people grapple with adversity stemming from wrongdoing.
- “Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: ‘It is mine to avenge: I will repay,’ says the Lord.” Drawing inspiration from the biblical passage in Romans 12:14-21, we find a profound message that underscores the importance of forgiveness and rising above negative feelings. It advocates blessing those who wrong you and refraining from revenge, trusting that ultimate justice rests in a higher power. The message is clear: we should be swift to forgive and not allow the actions of others to blind us to what is good and true, thereby maintaining a clear and focused mind. In this light, complaining becomes futile. To transcend and move past undesirable situations, it’s imperative to change and rise above the issues, seeking personal growth and a brighter future.
10. Do not let yourself be guided by the feeling of lust or love
- The interplay of love and lust in a person’s life can sometimes obscure their true desires and aspirations. In the Christian faith, lust is considered a cardinal sin, particularly a sin against the body. It objectifies individuals, reducing them to mere physical objects and detracts from their inherent worth as multifaceted beings. We are more than just our bodies, and the pursuit of lust is ultimately devoid of meaning, often leading to self-destruction.
- On the other hand, love is regarded as the most powerful force in the world, often associated with the divine concept of God’s love. It is through love, both for others and oneself, that we become our best selves. However, I can see the parallel with Musashi’s perspective that intense love can potentially hinder the pursuit of one’s goals. It’s crucial to discern whether the love you feel is genuine and whether it’s worth putting your dreams on hold for. Ideally, love should inspire and empower you to reach even higher and strive for your goals, rather than serving as a hindrance.
Feel free to comment below about your perspective on the first 10 rules of Musashi’s Dokkodo. If you think I missed any key points or have other ideas on what Musashi means for each of the rules please comment.