Summary
Highlights
Miyamoto Musashi, a legendary samurai, was undefeated in over sixty duels and became a ronin after the Battle of Sekigahara. Beyond being a swordsman, he was a philosopher, artist, and Buddhist. Before his death, he left 21 principles called 'Dokkōdō', which are timeless rules for living well, primarily focusing on 'focus'. This three-part series elaborates on these principles, with this video covering principles 8-14 to guide a life of ultimate focus.
Separation, whether temporary or permanent, from people or objects, often leads to suffering due to attachment. Musashi, being a ronin and Buddhist, understood the delusion of possession and the burden of attachment. His lifestyle embraced solitude and practice, necessitating acceptance of impermanence. For a warrior, accepting death and the temporary nature of all things is crucial for maintaining focus and avoiding continuous grief.
Humans often fall into the traps of resentment and complaint, focusing on external circumstances instead of internal improvement. For those dedicated to ongoing practice, these negative emotions are detrimental. The world is beyond our control, and people will act in ways that don't align with our values. Instead of resenting 'what is', it's wiser to focus on oneself, live the best life possible, and be tolerant of others, as Stoic philosopher Marcus Aurelius suggested.
This principle points to 'eros' or romantic love, a form of love driven by lustful desire. While contemporary culture often elevates romantic love, Musashi, as a Buddhist, recognized its distracting and potentially harmful nature. Love and lust can overcome rational thought, leading to unwise decisions that can derail one's path. It is wiser to maintain rationality and focus, rather than being blindly guided by such powerful emotions.
Having preferences creates dependency on external circumstances for our mood. When preferred situations occur, we are happy; when not, we are disappointed. This gives external factors power over our equanimity. Musashi, having encountered diverse people and situations, needed a tranquil mind. Keeping preferences in check and embracing whatever fate brings allows for consistent focus, independent of outcomes.
Musashi, as a wandering ronin, prioritized his 'way' over his living environment. Modern people often place great emphasis on their homes and possessions, leading to anxiety when these are threatened or dissatisfaction when they don't meet expectations. However, true satisfaction and dissatisfaction come from within. Being content with one's living situation, regardless of its simplicity, frees the mind to focus on purpose.
Musashi discouraged the pursuit of good food, a sentiment echoed by Stoic philosophers. Indulging in fancy meals can lead to an oversaturated appetite, craving more extravagant tastes, and potentially gluttony, which harms health. Mindless consumption often replaces mindful appreciation. The purpose of eating is nutrition, and by eating mindfully and in limited amounts, one can reduce attachment to taste and weaken cravings, allowing for better focus.
Musashi's ronin life exemplifies minimalism; possessions would have been a burden. Accumulating material goods often leads to a temporary sense of happiness, followed by a hunger for more, making a person a servant to their possessions. This pursuit creates anxiety – fear of loss or not acquiring. For those with a higher purpose, contentment found in stillness lessens the need for material wealth, allowing one to 'travel light' and focus on what truly matters.