In medieval japan, the samurai were the ultimate warriors. Leaders protectors of the people examples of code of conducts and virtues and stewards of how to live an honorable life.
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Arguably the greatest of all these samurai was Miyamoto Musashi, while Miyamoto was noted as a fearsome warrior and an expert in the two-sword style that the samurai preferred. His greatest works come in the form of his famous book.
The Book of Five Rings, and the dokkodo his 21 precepts for life that he wrote during his last few days.
In these books, Musashi presents an interesting and unique view of the world.
One that was developed during his life was a samurai, a ronin, a buddhist and through his japanese culture. i covered the first of these seven precepts.
Now, let's start with one of his precept, never let yourself be saddened by separation.
Do not be saddened by separation
As a ronin, Musashi spent much of his life traveling and roaming the country never truly having a home to call his own.
When leaving a village where he might have made friends over the years, he could never know if they would be alive on his next visit. In fact the warrior code of the samurai
was known as busido, which roughly translates to the way of dying.
While we may not have to face such extreme separation or change as death on a daily basis.
people places and things are constantly moving in and out of our lives. While not easy Musashi taught that it was important to look at all the events of your life knowing that they would one day end.
This might manifest itself as the end of a relationship, moving, a change of job, or ultimately the loss of a loved one just like the stoics teach Momento Mori, which translates to remember death.
This is not meant to be a morbid fascination but a reminder to enjoy the places, people, and things in your life. While they are part of it because one day they won't be.
Hold No Grudges Against Yourself or Others
Negative emotions like anger, jealousy, regret and the holding of grudges doesn't help you accomplish anything. All of these emotions, put you in a negative non-productive mindset.
Practice forgiveness and moving on these things may not be easy, but it is much easier to do this than to carry around the emotional baggage that these negative emotions come with for the rest of your life.
This set of rules more so than the first or the last are all about avoiding distractions and maintaining your focus on the important things in your #life.