“There is nothing outside of yourself that can ever enable you to get better, stronger, richer, quicker, or smarter. Everything is within. Everything exists. Seek nothing outside of yourself.”
Miyamoto Musashi, The Book of Five Rings
Humanity longs for the end of war. The only way to avoid violence is to understand conflict – what it is and how to respond in a way that promotes peaceful solutions and outcomes. Conflict is a subject of inquiry which cannot be ignored, even in our personal lives. Sun Tzu, in The Art of War, states that “The supreme art of war is to subdue the enemy without fighting.”
Centuries later, another warrior- philosopher arose in Japan named Miyamoto Musashi (1583-1645), also known by his Buddhist name Niten Dōraku. Considered a rōnin, a samurai with no lord or master, Musashi lived during the feudal period (1185–1868) of Japan. His swordsmanship was unparalleled, yet his accomplishments as an artist, sculptor, calligrapher and architect confirm his love of peaceful solitude.
This week will focus on the man known to the Japanese as Kensei or ‘sword-saint.”
“Polish your wisdom: learn public justice, distinguish between good and evil, study the ways of different arts one by one.”