This is the fifth part of my discourse on Miyamoto Musashi’s 21 Principles of the Dokkodo. There will be one more commentary on the last three principles Musashi wrote after this. This wise warrior-philosopher recorded these principles at the end of his life to help us on our own migratory journey of life. They are codes for living a full life that we can learn and benefit from according to Musashi. These are his guiding principles and I encourage you to take what resonates and create your own unique code for your life and invest in those personal principles. The great Miyamoto Musashi was a Heartbroken Warrior in my opinion because he understood the complexities and drama of death and change. These principles are ways of a warrior and intended to guide us to live a life of integrity.
These are my thoughts and discussion on his views regarding how to be a Heartbroken Warrior. I will address the next four in this write-up. Please keep in mind the context and time period that he wrote. These are at best metaphorical like many ancient texts.
Do not act following customary beliefs.
We must have integrity and live according to the voice of God inside us. Each voice is unique to each person. My voice will guide me, but it is only for me. Your voice will be for you and not applicable to anyone else. We have to listen intently and follow those principles. Even Musashi’s 21 Principles are his principles. We should pick and choose for ourselves what makes sense. I believe we can all broaden our understanding from other people’s perspectives however.
We tend to become indoctrinated by our culture or authority figures at an early age. It is for us to deprogram and rethink our beliefs. We must realize the control intention we have been brainwashed by and rise up against indoctrination. Tradition and current culture will pressure you to follow what you are told so the powers at be can control you. We must follow our own truths which is what I believe Musashi is meaning. By taking what resonates and trashing the rest with respect to others, we can live by our own code. Trust your intuition and the life experience you have learned from. Remember your mistakes and choose the behaviors that yield the best outcomes. Walk based on your own Path and not what our nation or religion or authority tells you to do. When someone says jump, do not say how high. Rather, ask why and decide if the reason is good enough for you to follow. You must find your own Truth and Path by listening to your unique voice inside.
Think critically and independently. My old punk rock roots always said to question authority. This is not what the authorities want you to know or do. Remember that these rules that are made up by people are for them to take your power from you. You must not believe you have to jump through all of these hoops to make it to heaven or otherwise burn in hell forever. This is metaphorical and actually what many organized religions say. Fear is their tool to control you and punishment or death is the prison sentence and lie they use to strong arm you.
Do not collect weapons or practice with weapons beyond what is useful.
Musashi’s swords were his weapons. He mastered the two sword fighting technique if not creating it himself. Why would he need 3 swords if he has 2 hands? Keeping many swords would be a burden to carry and care for. We must focus on what is useful. If we spend our time and energy on other things beyond what we use, we are losing our expertise and focus on what we need. This is mastery. Simplicity and specialty often goes further than scattering our focus by being a generalist. Training beyond the daily essentials is an unnecessary distraction.
Time is often limited for us. We must make the most of our linear time while in this realm by using our guided attention. At some point, we will be challenged and put to the test. If we do not give the skills we use ever day our due attention, we will become injured or risk death by our lack of focused training. It is important to decide what is relevant to our daily living and how we are to focus and put in the time to master those skills and tools.
Do not fear death.
We have to understand that everything is in a cycle. That could be our obstacles and tests we encounter in life which will happen over and over until we have achieved mastery or a cycle could be the birth-death-rebirth continuum. I especially live by and focus on the latter because I believe mistakes are our friend. We must fall down to see the obstacle that made us trip. This will help us not fall again in the future. Mistakes should be seen without any judgment. Surely there is karma to both good and bad choices, but we must not be critical or it will hinder our growth. We will live in that guilt and punish ourselves so we do not learn. Taking on our past mistakes as our identity is very dangerous even though we often do this. Our culture wants us to. It thinks that we are our mistakes. If that was the case, everyone would be a terrible person destined for hell.
Fearing death will create trepidation. Fear hinders unity, Love, understanding, self-worth, being in the moment and the list goes on. If we know that God is only Love and only wants the best for us, then we can Know that we will not be punished. We are forgiven and must have the self-love to forgive ourselves. Death is but the door to life whether that is failing at a task so we can try it a different way or the literal physical rebirth. Jesus was most known for saying we must be born again. Unfortunately, the reigning authoritative culture limits this born again concept. I take it to all levels whether that be physical reincarnation, making a mistake and learning the best route, a life crumbling to be restarted with enlightenment, etc. I won’t even go into how Jesus Christ was a reincarnationist. That is a whole other blog, but believe me, I have plenty of solid reasons to say so. We can rest in the fact that living with the fear of death will hinder us living fully.
All things die or fall apart, so fearing death serves no purpose. This is the eastern philosophy of impermanence. It is unnecessary stress and anxiety that will stiffen you up and cause harm to us and those impacted by you. If we accept mortality and live courageously, we have found a strength larger than fear and death. We can accept death as an inevitable part of life and face it bravely and courageously. When we live fully and without hesitation, we can be in the flow of life. Each moment is precious and must be respected and not feared so we can have an abundant and full life.
Do not seek to possess either goods or fiefs for your old age.
Our future cannot be predicted and focusing all of your energy on storing up riches to “retire” is a distraction from the present moment. Animals do not worry what they will eat next week. They find what they need for today and do the same for tomorrow. We are to Trust in the abundance of our lives, of the Source of all things that provides unlimited resources for us. Our daily practice of this is true Trust in our Creator. We are always provided for and if we are on the Path, we will Know that God has our backs. We can find the balance of consistent saving for the rainy days, but waiting and sacrificing the bounty we have now for an uncertain future we cannot predict is a waste of energy and surely stressful. Money is unlimited and will come as you are open to receiving it. We have so much already that we are to appreciate and happiness is not in counting your dollars or things. We will definitely sacrifice the present moment where all Joy and power lives. We come to this world naked and we leave with only the Wisdom we learn on this journey of life. That is where true riches lie.
A warrior lives in the now knowing that is the only time there really is. We can invest in this moment and in Wisdom. What we learn now is truly the only wealth we can have and we can pass that down to our children as the most valuable gift that we can offer. Material and financial wealth is usually squandered and self-destructs. The Wisdom gained that is only found in the present moment will last forever. Remember that the future is a made up story. It is wonderful to dream and have goals, however this moment is the only time that is real and the only moment you can enjoy and learn in.
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