Monday Morning Motivational Message - 21 Teachings To Live By (Part 1) From Japanese Samurai Miyamoto Musashi

What values, philosophies, or teachings do you live by?

I've been interested in the courage, discipline, and honor of the Japanese Samurai warriors, for some time.

Shortly before he died in 1645, Japanese swordsman, philosopher, and Samurai, Miyamoto Musashi wrote the book, Dokkodo (which means, The Path of Aloneness). This work outlines 21 precepts that express an ascetic (meaning a lifestyle characterized by abstinence from sensual pleasures for the purpose of pursuing spiritual goals), honest, and stringent way a person should live their life.

In Part 1 of the Monday Morning Motivational Message we will examine the first ten precepts of Musashi's teachings:

1. Accept everything just the way it is.

2. Do not seek pleasure for its own sake.

3. Do not, under any circumstances, depend on partial feeling.

4. Think lightly of yourself and deeply of the world.

5. Be detached from desire your whole lifelong.

6. Do not regret what you have done.

7. Never be jealous.

8. Never let yourself be saddened by separation.

9. Resentment and complaint are appropriate neither for oneself nor others.

10. Do not let yourself be guided by feelings of lust or love.   

Many of these teachings require us to forego our attachment to our feelings for the purpose of acquiring a higher meaning or intention of a sacred nature.

Please leave me a comment about your thoughts regarding detaching from your feelings toward earthly items, with the intention of experiencing something of a higher spiritual quality.