Miyamoto Musashi - The Path of Aloneness | 101 Principles

preoccupied with a single leaf you won't see the tree preoccupied with a single tree you'll miss the entire Forest don't be preoccupied with a single spot see everything in its entirety effortlessly that is what it means to truly see life has no value truly right it has no value if you think only of yourself it has no value why was I born the reason you are here is because someone supported your life why was I born for what purpose the reason you are here is to support lives if you don't go against how life should

be you're already completely free my strength was It Just An Illusion both our past and our futures have been completely pre-ordained by the heavens because it is so that's the reason that we are so completely free pray not for the future rely not on the future or the past just stay in the now Invincible is just a word nothing goes perfectly for us don't be preoccupied with a single spot see everything in its entirety effortlessly this is what it means to truly see Heaven does not laugh it just smiles and stares being incomplete is what

pushes us onward to the next something if we were even perfectly satisfied what meaning would the rest of our lives hold right you keep your nerves on edge and you're always ready to lash out you distance yourself from everyone it's because you are afraid of people you are the weakest person in this Village unparalleled under the heavens is a heat ha my sword is one with Heaven and Earth please swing as if you had no arms you're always with me but that also must be some version of you that I made up inside of my

head you seem to be under the misconception that if you perform one Brave deed the that alone makes you a samurai well it doesn't you let that one act of loyalty convince you of your righteousness the more convinced you became the more harm you cause yourself and everyone else you're going to find people from all over the country everyone hungry for money in position you won't make a name for yourself just doing what the next man does you'll have to distinguish yourself in some way the more you think about it the more you squint your

eyes in desperation to see the more obscure the answer becomes if something's too obscure to see then try closing your eyes you've become kind that means you're stronger the strong are always kind so you want to die honorably you are being selfish each and every person you killed has his own life whether that life was blessed or not everyone is born into this world they grow up some people have family some are alone in this world some have young children some are engaged some have pets some people have high hopes and great dreams other have

no ambition at all and you ended everything for them is it worth it is a life of rage and murder truly honorable no the world is always full of the sounds of waves the little fishes abandoning themselves to the waves dance and sing and play but who knows the heart of the sea 100 ft down who knows its depths the line between life and death is not not thicker than an eyelid I'm nothing I'm absolutely nobody if I'm destined to die then that's all right too even so you are still connected with Heaven depending on

the terrain the flower of water is completely dependent on external forces forces water just yields itself to that external forces determines its shape but water is still just water it will always remain water completely free water does not even look this way to win against water I said what does it mean to win to win free as it is be aware of yourself and accept yourself as you are that is where your training should begin there is no light for those who do not know Darkness live on and endure the shadows in brightness shall come

your way step by step walk the Thousand Mile Road you must understand that there is more than one path to the top of the [Music] mountain if you are not progressing along the true way a slight twist in the mind can become a major twist this must be pondered well develop intuitive judgment and understanding for [Music] everything truth is not what you want it to be it is what it is and you must Bend its power or live a lie accept everything just the way it [Music] is if there isn't discipline How can there be

a true realization of an ideal see to it that you temper yourself with 1,000 days of practice and refine yourself with 10,000 Days of training no man is invincible and therefore no man can fully understand that which would make him Invincible anger control your anger if you hold anger towards others they have control over you your opponent can Dominate and defeat you if you allow him to get you irritated in battle if you make your opponent Flinch you have already [Music] won the important thing in strategy is to suppress the enemy's useful action but allow

his useless actions to win any battle you must fight as if you are already dead approach the enemy with the attitude of defeating him without delay do not let your opponent see your spirit if the enemy thinks of the mountains attack like the sea and if he thinks of the sea attack like the mountains fixation is the way to death fluidity is the way to life too much is the same as not enough [Music] do not regret what you have done do nothing that is of no use never be jealous never stray from the way

never let yourself be saddened by a separation [Music] do not hold on to possessions you no longer need choose to live by choice not by chance you may abandon your own body but you must preserve your honor determine that today you will overcome yourself of the day before tomorrow you will win over those of lesser skill and later you will win over those of Greater skill when in a fight to the death one wants to employ all one's weapons to the utmost I must say that to die with one's sword still sheath is most regrettable

perception is strong and sight is weak in strategy it is important to see distant things as if they were close and to take a distanced view of close [Music] things once you know what you want you must be prepared pred to sacrifice everything to get it live being true to the single purpose of the present [Music] moment act with the heart of the warrior I will search for you through a thousand worlds and 10,000 life times until I find you the samurai always has to rise and move on because new challenges will come one of

the best lessons you can learn in life is to master how to remain calm it is good to face challenges in your youth he who has not suffered will not sufficiently temper his [Music] character control your anger if you have anger towards anyone they control you a warrior should look as if he is ready to split a mountain in two even when he is going through the deepest [Music] suffering when we are no longer able to change a situation we are challenged to change [Music] ourselves approach the enemy with the attitude of defeating him without

delay the sword has to be more than a simple weapon it has to be an answer to Life's questions a man cannot understand the art he is studying if he only looks for the end result without taking the time to delve deeply into the reasoning of the study it is is not about being better than someone else it is about being better than you were the day before observation and perception are two separate things the eye that observes is stronger the eye that perceives is weaker if you wish to control others you must must first

control [Music] yourself you may abandon your own body but you must preserve your honor do not speak bad of yourself for the warrior within hears your words and is lessened by them don't fear Fai failure in great attempts it is glorious even to fail the point is that once you know what you want you must be prepared to sacrifice everything to get [Music] it in 1645 mamoto Musashi Japan's most Legend swordsman wrote the book of five rings divided into five sections earth water fire wind and void each book is written to provide instructions teaching a

vital element of strategy the book of Earth sets the foundation teaching Clarity and understanding of the world the book of water teaches adaptability and precision the book of fire focuses on the Dynamics of conflict and action the book of wind critiques rigid schools of thought and warns against narrow approaches lastly the book of void speaks to intuition and seeing beyond the tangible a very important part of of Musashi's philosophy together these books present the way of strategy applicable not just to combat but to all Endeavors at the core of this work are the nine rules

presented in the book of Earth as the Cornerstone of Musashi's teachings Masashi writes do nothing which is of no use urging his students to cut away distractions and act with intention here are the nine rules of the book of five rings rule number one do not think dishonestly the foundation of A Warrior's strength lies in their integrity dishonor y poisons the soul and clouds the Mind avoid deceiving others but more importantly never deceive yourself for it is the greatest betrayal honesty sharpens your perception allowing you to see truth clearly in the world around you lies

even small ones weaken your resolve and create cracks in your discipline speak and act with authenticity for this breeds trust and respect among comrades and opponents alike in the battle and in life dishonesty leads to poor decisions and flawed strategies Clarity is your ally when you think with truth in your heart your actions will follow with unwavering strength rule number two the way is in training the path to Mastery is not found in idle contemplation but in Relentless practice and discipline train every day whether in the sword the brush or the spirit for consistency builds

excellent through repetition your body and mind will act as one forming instinctive Precision respect your training even when it is arduous for it reveals your weaknesses and forges your strengths the way is endless see training as a companion not a destination without without training understanding remains shallow and skill becomes brittle when tested Embrace discomfort in practice for It prepares you to face challenges with courage and composure rule number three become acquainted with every art a warrior must broaden their understanding for the wisdom of other Arts enhances Mastery of their own study music to learn Rhythm

study painting to understand form each art contains lessons for the sword by exploring the unfamiliar you cultivate adaptability and sharpen your mind the interplay of Arts teaches balance for strength lies in knowing when to press and when to yield do not confine yourself to One path for all Arts share the same Universal principles mastering other Arts tempers arrogance reminding you that knowledge is infinite respect every discipline for they are each a mirror reflecting the spirit of the world rule number four know the ways of all professions a warrior who understands the crafts of others sees

the world with Clarity and depth study the farmer who cultivates patience study the merchant who balances risk and gain in knowing the ways of others you grasp how they think and this Insight becomes a weapon each profession holds lessons and strategy whether it is the architect's Precision or the sailor's adaptability do not dismiss any vocation as lesser every craft reveals the essence of perseverance Mastery in battle comes from understanding the harmony between The Sword and the world when you know the ways of others you see the patterns that connect all things rule number five distinguish

between gain and loss in worldly matters do not be ens snared by Greed for the pursuit of material IAL gain clouds the spirit understand what is truly valuable strength of character wisdom and honor outweigh gold a warrior must See Clearly the balance between effort and reward and act with discernment loss is inevitable in life but through loss one gains resilience and insight never cling to fleeting victories or despair over temporary setbacks both are Illusions let worldly matter serve you not the other way around maintain control over your desires true gain lies in mastering oneself all

else is merely the shifting tide of Fortune rule number six develop an intuitive judgment and understanding for everything logic and reason are vital but intuition is the essence of Mastery train your instincts by observing the world deeply and reflecting upon your experiences in battle a split second decision Guided by intuition can mean the difference between Victory and defeat do not fear mistakes intuition grows stronger when forged in the fire of failure seek balance between thought and feeling for True understanding arises from their Union develop a sense of timing for intuition often Whispers when to act

and to hold back trust your inner wisdom but temper it with humility and a willingness to learn rule number seven perceive those things which cannot be seen the most powerful forces in life are invisible like the wind their presence is felt not seen look Beyond appearances to discern the intentions and emotions of others train your awareness to sense danger or opportunity before they fully manifest the Unseen often shapes the scene understand this and you will Master the flow of events quiet your mind for only in Stillness can you perceive the subtle and Elusive trust the

weight of silence for it often carries truths louder than words to perceive the Unseen is to wield foresight a weapon sharper than any [Music] blade rule number eight pay attention even to Trifles great victories often hint on small details a neglected trifle can lead to ruin discipline yourself to observe everything for the insignificant holds hidden significance sharpen your focus for even the smallest Ripple reveals the depth of the water in the sword and in life Precision arises from attentiveness to the seemingly Minor by honoring small tasks you prepare yourself for great challenges neglect nothing every

element no matter how trivial contributes to the whole Mastery is achieved not through grand gestures but through meticulous attention to every facet rule number nine do nothing which is of no use A Warrior's time and energy are precious do not squander them on meaningless Pursuits ask yourself if each action serves your purpose if not discard it without hesitation efficiency is not laziness but the mark of one who values the their path avoid idle chatter and frivolous distractions for they dilute your focus and strength even in rest choose activities that replenish the body and sharpen the

spirit Simplicity is not emptiness but Clarity do only what aligns with your goals each moment is a chance to advance along the way do not waste it doodo or the way of walking alone is a path mamoto Masashi forged in a later years of his life after countless battles and victories had shown him the limits of a life driven by conflict as a ronin Musashi wandered Japan honing his skill skills and Duels and surviving by the strength of his sword yet in time he saw that true Mastery went beyond the sword it lay in mastering

the self from this understanding he wrote doodo a set of 21 principles to guide his Spirit rooted in self-discipline mindfulness and Detachment these principles were not merely for battle but for living a life of inner peace free from the distractions of the world these are the 21 principles of [Music] doodo number one accept everything just the way it is life flows like water resist it and you will be swept away the world unfolds as it will and no one must resist its natural flow to fight against reality is to weaken oneself acceptance is the first

step towards Mastery of your own destiny number two do not seek pleasure for its own sake the pursuit of pleasure distracts from the path of discipline true fulfillment comes from mastering the self not indulging in temporary desires seek Instead The Joy found in the process of becoming stronger A Warrior's path is one of balance not excess number three do not under any circumstances depend on a partial feeling half-heartedness is the enemy of progress commit fully to your purpose trust in incomplete feeling leads to uncertain action let your decisions arise from a calm whole mind Clarity

comes when you embrace the entirety of your experience number four think lightly of yourself and deeply of the world do not burden yourself with excessive self-regard Focus instead on understanding the world around you a humble heart opens the mind to Greater truths to grasp the world's complexities one must first relinquish the burden of self-importance number five be detached from desire your whole lifelong desire is a chain that binds the spirit to walk freely one must cast off its weight Liberation lies in prioritizing purpose over personal Cravings in Detachment find the strength to pursue your path

without distraction number six do not regret what you have done regret weakens the present by chaining you to the Past face forward for the past cannot be changed but the future can every misstep is an opportunity for growth and learning each step taken is part of your journey embrace it fully number seven never be jealous jealousy stems from insecurity and clouds the spirit be content with your own path for it is yours alone to walk instead of envying others learn from them their success can be a guide not a curse appreciate the success of others

as a source of inspiration not [Music] resentment number eight never let yourself be saddened by separation separation is a natural part of life's journey the warrior moves forward carrying no sorrow for what is Left Behind each parting paves the way for new encounters and experiences embrace the lessons learned from those you lose they strengthen your resolve each departure creates space for New Beginnings number nine resentment and complaint are inappropriate neither for oneself nor others resentment poisons the mind and hinders clear thought a warrior must rise above Petty grievances true strength lies and letting go and

focusing on what truly matters release your grievances to find peace number 10 do not let yourself be guided by the feeling of lust or love love and lust can obscure judgment and weaken the the spirit let your path be directed by Reason Not fleeting emotions the heart must not overshadow the clarity of the Mind maintain a disciplined mind to discern true affection from fleeting desire love when cultivated wisely can become a source of strength number 11 in all things have no preferences preferences lead to attachment and attachment leads to suffering walk your path without bias

and you will see clearly Freedom comes from viewing each moment as it is without judgment embracing indifference allows you to respond to Life's challenges without hesitation a mind Unshackled by preference is free to explore all avenues number 12 be indifferent to where you live whether in a castle or a Hut A Warrior's mind remains unchanged do not let your surroundings dictate your spirit do not let yourself be Reliant nor take advantage of luxuries your true home is where your purpose resides cultivate an inner house that know external circumstance can disrupt and can be weathered by

no storm number 13 do not pursue the taste of good food nourish the body as necessary but do not seek excess true sustenance arrives from the strength you build through discipline remember the Warrior's diet is one that fuels the spirit and body alike number 14 do not hold on to possessions you no longer need possessions are a burden that slow your progress keep only what is essential and let the rest Fall Away a clear space allows for a clear mind the act of Letting Go opens the door for New Opportunities and growth a true warrior

values utility over sentimentality body simplify your life to sharpen your focus and enhance your practice number 15 do not act following customary beliefs tradition in times will bind you to truths Act only according to what is right not what is customary trust your intuition and the wisdom you gain from experience walk your path based on personal conviction rather than societal expectation number 16 do not collect weapons or practice with weapons beyond what is useful a sword is but a tool in the hands of a warrior Beyond necessity additional weapons are burdens Focus your energy on

honing your skills with the tools that truly serve you Mastery comes from Simplicity and focus rather than accumulation number 17 do not fear death death is inevitable for all so fearing it serves no purpose instead live fully and without hesitation Embrace each day as a gift knowing it may be your last understand that in acceptance of death you find the freedom to live fully number 18 do not seek to possess either Goods or FES for your old age the future is uncertain and preparing for it only distracts from the present a warrior lives in the

now invest your energy in experiences and wisdom not Material wealth what you gather in life is not as valuable as what you learn along the way and pass down to those who follow in your footsteps number 19 respect Buddha and the gods without counting on their help honor the Divine but do not rely on them to shape your fate for they owe you no gift nor reward your path is yours to undertake through your own action a warrior must stand firm in their own strength and choices true respect lies in embodying the principles they represent

through your actions number 20 you may abandon your body but you must preserve your honor your body is transient but your honor endures Beyond Death let honor be your highest aim in the end it is the legacy of your integrity that will endure A Warrior's true strength is measured not by their physical prowess but by the respect they earn number 21 never stray from the way the path of the warrior is a sacred commitment that demands steadfast dedication string from this path leads to confusion and disar ultimately compromising your honor and purpose consistency in your

actions and thoughts is essential for maintaining the Integrity of your journey in moments of uncertainty return to the fundamental principles that guide you for they serve as your compass through life's challenges distractions abound but Clarity comes from commitment trust in your training and intuition Miss to guide you once you know what you want you must be prepared to sacrifice everything to get it live being true to the single purpose of the present moment act with the heart of the warrior I will search for you through a thousand worlds and 10,000 lifetimes until I find you

the samurai always has to rise and move on because new challenges will come one of the best lessons you can learn in life is to master how to remain calm it is good to face challenges in your youth he who has not suffered will not sufficiently temper his character control your anger if you have anger towards anyone they control you a warrior should look as if he is ready to split a mountain in two even when he is going through the deepest suffering when we are no longer able to change a situation we are challenged

to change ourselves approach the enemy with the attitude of defeating him without delay the sword has to be more than a simple weapon it has to be an answer to Life's questions a man cannot understand the art he is studying if he only looks for the end result without taking the time to delve deeply into the reasoning of the study it is not about being better than someone else it is about being better than you were the day [Music] before observation and perception are two separate things the eye that observes is Str stronger the eye

that perceives is weaker if you wish to control others you must first control yourself you may abandon your own body but you must preserve your [Music] honor do not speak bad of yourself for the warrior within hears your words and is lessened by them don't fear failure in great attempts it is glorious even to fail the point is that once you know what you want you must be prepared to sacrifice everything to get it the true science of martial arts means practicing them in such a way that they will be useful at any time and

to teach them in such a way that they will be useful in all things one must make the warrior walk his everyday walk do not waste time idling or thinking after you have set your goals in time all things work to your advantage when you pursue them with an open heart with your Spirit open and unconstricted look at things from a high point of view no man is invincible and therefore no man can fully understand that which would make him Invincible even with complete and thorough study there is always the possibility of being defeated and

although one may may be expert in a particular form Mastery is something a man never stop seeking to [Music] attain today is victory over your self of yesterday tomorrow is victory over lesser [Music] men do not regret what you have done as far as I'm concerned I regret [Music] nothing aspire to be like Mount Fuji with such a broad and solid foundation that the strongest earthquake cannot move you and so tall that the greatest Enterprises of common men seem insignificant from your lofty perspective with your mind as high as Mount Fuji you can see all

things clearly and you can see all the forces that shape events not just the things happening near to you when you have attained the way of strategy there will be nothing that you cannot understand you will see the way in everything you should not have any special fondness for a particular weapon or anything else for that matter too much is the same as not enough generally speaking the way of the warrior is Resolute acceptance of death get Beyond love and grief exist for the good of man truth is not what you want it to be

it is what it is and you must Bend to its power or live a [Music] lie accept everything just the way it is the purpose of today's training is to defeat yesterday's understanding even if a man has no natural ability he can be a [Music] warrior nobody is strong and nobody is weak if he conceives of the body from the head to the sole of the foot as a unity in which a living mind circulates everywhere [Music] equally also by training you will be able to freely control your own body conquer men with your body

and with sufficient training you will be able to beat 10 men with your spirit when you have reached this point will it not mean that you are invincible see ke to it that you temper yourself with 1,000 days of practice and refine yourself with 10,000 Days of training do not let the body be dragged Along by mind nor the mind be dragged Along by the body do not let your spirit be influenced by your body or your body be influenced by your spirit be neither insufficiently spirited or overp an elevated spirit is weak and a

low spirit is weak do not let the enemy see your spirit know your enemy know his sword you win battle by knowing the enemy's timing and using a timing which the enemy does not expect in contests of strategy it is bad to be led about by the enemy you must always be able to lead the enemy about there is timing in everything there is timeing in everything timing and strategy cannot be mastered without a great deal of practice if you do not look at things on a large scale it will be difficult to master [Music]

strategy immature strategy is the cause of grief it is imperative to master the principles of the Art of War and learn to be unmoved in mind even In the Heat of the [Music] battle in battle if you make your opponent Flinch you have already won fixation is the way to death fluidity is the way to Life water adopts the shape of its receptacle it is sometimes a trickle and sometimes a wild sea if you are not progressing along the true way a slight twist in the mind can become a major twist this must be pondered

well polish your wisdom learn public Justice distinguish between good and evil study the ways of different Arts one by one never be jealous never stray from the way never let yourself be saddened by a separation resentment and complaint are appropriate neither for oneself nor others 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 be detached from From Desire your whole life long perception is strong and sight weak in strategy it is important to see distant things

as if they were close and to take a distant view of close things it is difficult to understand the universe if you only study One Planet whatever your determination or Willow it is foolish to try to change the nature of things things work the way they do because that is the way of things never fail to have this attitude of mind go forward without hurry learn the essence of things through frequent exercises taking advantage of every occasion fight against all kinds of people and be aware of their mind be without haste and be convinced that

all these practices are the duty of a bashid be victorious today over what you were yesterday tomorrow will be victorious over your clumsiness and then also over your [Music] skill practice in accordance with what I have written without letting your mind deviate from the way when you attain the way of strategy there will not be one thing you cannot see you must study hard if there is a way involving the spirit of not being defeated to help one self and gain honor it is the way of strategy [Music] when you cannot be deceived by me

you will have realized the wisdom of strategy fixation is the way to death fluidity is the way to [Music] life too much is the same as not enough do not regret what you have done do nothing that is of no use never be jealous never stray from the way never let yourself be saddened by a separation do not hold on to possessions you no longer need choose to live by choice not by chance you may abandon your own body but you must preserve your honor determine that today you will over become yourself of the day

before tomorrow you will win over those of lesser skill and later you will win over those of Greater skill when in a fight to the death one wants to employ all one's weapons to the utmost I must say that to die with one sword still she is most regrettable perception is strong and sight is weak in strategy it is important to see distant things as if they were close and to take a distanced view of close things do not waste time idling or thinking after you have said set your goals in time all things work

to your advantage when you pursue them with an open heart with your spirit open and unconstricted look at things from a high point of view you should not have any special fondness for a particular weapon or anything else for that matter too much is the same as not enough generally speaking the way of the warrior is Resolute acceptance of death get Beyond love and grief exist for the good of man truth is not what you want it to be it is what it is and you must Bend to its power or live aive accept everything

just the way it is the purpose of today's training is to defeat yesterday's understanding ing even if a man has no natural ability he can be a warrior nobody is strong and nobody is weak if he conceives of the body from the head to the soul of the foot as a unity in which a living mind circulates everyone where equally do not let the body be dragged Along by mind nor the mind be dragged Along by the body do not let your spirit be influenced by your body or your body be influenced by your spirit

be neither insufficiently spirited or overp an elevated spirit is weak and a low spirit is weak do not let the enemy see your spirit know your enemy know his sword you win battles by knowing the enemy's timing and using a timing which the enemy does not expect in contests of strategy it is bad to be led about by the enemy you must always be able to lead the enemy about there is timing in everything there is timing in everything timing in strategy cannot be mastered without a great deal of practice if you do not look

at things on a large scale it will be difficult to master strategy immature strategy is the cause of grief in battle if you make your opponent Flinch you have already won