Greatest Swordsman Teaches Us About Self Discipline
Miyamoto Musashi, a samurai turned Ronin, is regarded as the greatest swordsman in Japanese history. Known for his unparalleled discipline, Musashi fought in 60 duels and emerged victorious in everyone. But Musashi was more than just a skilled swordsman; he was also an artist, philosopher, and Buddhist. He sought meaning in life and wrote books on war and philosophy, which became a blueprint for living a disciplined life.
In his final days, Musashi penned 21 principles known as "Dokkodo," which express a stringent and ascetic view of life. These principles offer valuable insights into discipline and how we can apply them to our own lives. Humans have always revered discipline, which ensures our independence and helps us achieve our dreams. When individuals are disciplined and conduct themselves honorably, society thrives.
One of Musashi's teachings on discipline is to avoid doing things solely for pleasure. He believed that seeking pleasure for its own sake was a distraction from achieving greatness. Musashi sacrificed typical desires and comforts to focus on becoming the greatest swordsman. In today's world, instant pleasure is easily accessible, but constantly indulging in it can lead to a sense of emptiness and addiction. Musashi believed that true happiness comes from finding meaning in life and pursuing goals that matter.
Musashi also emphasized the importance of focusing on one thing and broadening our horizons within that field. He dedicated his life to mastering the sword and trained relentlessly to push his boundaries. In a world filled with countless possibilities, many people struggle with decision paralysis and jump from one skill to another without fully grasping them. Musashi's teachings remind us to give ourselves time to truly understand and filter out distractions, focusing on one skill before moving on to the next.
Staying focused was another critical teaching of Musashi. He never strayed from his path, even after achieving great success. Despite being invited to luxurious places, Musashi prioritized learning and conquering new skills. He lived with self-control, determination, and discipline, always focused on what was practical. Musashi's teachings remind us to prioritize long-term goals over immediate pleasures in a world filled with temptations.
Lastly, Musashi emphasized the importance of living with integrity and preserving honor. The Bushido, a code of conduct followed by samurais, was a cornerstone of Musashi's philosophy. Honor was the glue that held all the virtues of the Bushido together. Musashi believed that living honorably and with discipline improved self-respect, courage, compassion, honesty, and loyalty. Discipline and honor go hand in hand, and developing one often leads to improvement in the other.
In conclusion, Miyamoto Musashi's teachings on discipline offer valuable insights into a disciplined life. By avoiding indulging in immediate pleasures, focusing on one thing, staying focused, and living with integrity, we can cultivate discipline and honor in our lives. Musashi's philosophy reminds us that true happiness comes from finding meaning and pursuing goals that matter rather than constantly seeking instant pleasure.