Another Exploration Of "The Way"

“I would like to live like Musashi,” I said.

“What would that mean?” my therapist asked. But I had no short answer... or any answer. So, let me try to paint the picture.

In short, at gunpoint: A life of meditation, contemplation, exploration, and diligence. A life devoid of vanity and sensuality. Understanding of one’s nature, mastery of one’s instincts. Humility.

Let's now dive deep.

One of the 21 rules Musashi left behind for his retainers and followers was:

Rule 4: Think lightly of yourself and think deeply of the world.

The aforementioned humility, bowing your head low enough to see the world’s divinity. An arrogant mind is blind, for itself is the greatest thing it sees, but sees not its shortcomings. The process of psychotherapy, its core, is a religious transformation, with the consensus, “There are things about me, that hold me back, that I could do better, but pose too big a challenge to master alone.” It starts with bowing your head low enough to admit that you need help, like we all do. “Furthermore... if you would get help, and you did things you needed to, things would get better.” This is the basis of faith. At least according to JBP.

“Truth is not what you want it to be; it is what it is, and you must bend to its power or live a lie.“

A quote in which Musashi points towards the same kind of brutal honesty and humility that is characteristic of bowing your head. If you lie to yourself, it might be lethal. Honesty requires humility. Bow your head low enough and you will find the answers.

Rule 19: Respect Buddha and the gods without counting on their help.

The well-known, to the point of an ear bleed, “Dear god, please...” is the way most religious people approach god, which breaks the rule Musashi left behind, and it also goes against the idea of psychotherapy and personal transformation. People often search for others to shoulder their burdens, but Musashi knew he had to find that strength within.

Pleading does not necessarily imply pleading to a divine entity, but maybe to an internal force, which would be nothing ridiculous after all; Archetypes can possess one’s mind and body. In which case it would not go against Musashi’s rule. But I would argue it to be a small fraction of the religious Populus. Just like the question, “Do you believe in god?” Is most commonly posed as, “Do you believe there levitates a physical giant in the sky above us with a beard who is all mighty?”

Also, there lies grave danger in associating yourself with god. Too sweet and too fragrant is the notion of bearing god within you, as the godbearer. How could I, who bears god, be mistaken? Downfall into narcissism.

So the quote, “There is nothing outside of yourself that can ever enable you to get better, stronger, richer, quicker, or smarter. Everything is within. Everything exists. Seek nothing outside of yourself,” hints at the fact, that Musashi connects to an inner voice which tells him how to get whatever it is he has set his aim at. One could draw a tangent and draw a tangent between the eastern “The Way” and our western “Following God.”

Hence, the useful manner to approach a god would be, “How can I serve you? What can I do to become better?” These are questions I assume he meditated on.

When I express my desire to live like Musashi, I envision a life of unwavering commitment to the path. In tune with the voice of your higher self, a voice from the future (and the past), pulling you. Obediently serving it, for you know no better way to live life.

Sure... sounds good. What does it mean on a day-to-day basis?

Do nothing which is of no use. - Miyamoto Musashi

This quote can easily be misunderstood, especially by individuals who believe in the "grind hard every day" mentality. As far as I understand it, doing nothing can be of use as well. Playing video games can be of use. Warriors, no matter how resilient, need rest to recalibrate and regenerate.

The question is, what does it mean to rest? What helps you recover and regenerate best after a hard day's work? If playing a video game is how you socialize, how you enter a state of rest, then so be it. If reading a book, cooking, or playing an instrument is what tickles your pickle, then so be it. However, to play a video game when its time to work is counterproductive, which is how I imagine this rule comes into play.

The significance lies in how "The Way" covers not just your work, but also every other aspect of your life. It is how you fold your clothes, prepare meals, or tie your laces. You should align everything you do with your highest aim, because if you do, it automatically carries the meaning and weight of the aim. Hence, the smallest of tasks overflows with delight.

“Even if you strive diligently on your chosen path day after day, if your heart is not in accord with it, then even if you think you are on a good path, from the point of view of the straight and true, this is not a genuine path. If you do not pursue a genuine path to its consummation, then a little bit of crookedness in the mind will later turn into a major warp. Reflect on this.” ~ Miyamoto Musashi

What is your aim? Or rather... why? What is your motive in achieving whatever it is that you pursue? Here is an example of my recent battle with authenticity.

I had an opportunity to co-found a super ambitious company, aiming to develop data analysis software with integrating AI. On the scale of... If you think Excel, or for the more nuanced of you the R analysis software. Lots of money and acknowledgment society would throw at the feet of the group that would pull off something so grand.

I am not in denial of the fact that a lot of personal growth would also result from having to deal with customers, organizing workshops, big-scale marketing, etc.

So why did I decline? It just wasn’t me. I have my mission. My calling. Hopping on that train would mean neglecting all I've learned and loved in recent years. I asked myself, no joke, “Would have Musashi accepted if they offered him a well-paying position as whatever?”

The answer was... well, you can imagine. Neither of them could phase Musashi. He often lived from hand to mouth, wandered in old, battered clothes, and slept under the sky. Yet, many would argue that the life he lived was beyond beautiful. He aligned with his truth and purpose.

Even the tiniest sacrifice leads to decay of soul. “Never stray from the way.”

“There is timing in the whole life of the warrior, in his thriving and declining, in his harmony and discord. Similarly, there is timing in the Way of the merchant, in the rise and fall of capital. All things entail rising and falling timing. You must be able to discern this.” ~ Miyamoto Musashi

This is something that I’ve come to understand already at a younger age. Tides and flows exist. Unforeseen catastrophes can disrupt life's path, forcing one to adapt.

For instance, you’ve been grinding that jiu-jitsu for months and you’ve planned to compete in the coming summer, but during training you... dislocated your shoulder. Although your jiu-jitsu is obstructed, you can still walk "The Way" both on and off the mats.

Learn to read the waves. Understand the tides of management, times of polishing your sword, studying and preparing, pondering and resting. In this manner, you will flow around the rock that seemingly blocked your path.

I wasn't aware of this quote until after I became a writer. It is also this, which made me realize, that foremost I am a warrior and then an artist. Hence, a life lived like Musashi, would be a life in close adherence to "The Way."

A life lived by walking the thousand-mile road one step a day. A day during which I practice martial arts, train my body, refine my writing, and spend the rest of the time practicing other arts – drawing, playing instruments, sculpting, carving...

To be a student of the universe, to gaze up into the sky and wonder about the hidden truths. To dive into the heart of the ocean and learn its depths. To seek excellence with great love and attention to detail. To feel the sun shine down upon me, and through me, for all that I embody is truth, and truth is light.