Miyamoto Musashi, Japan's GOAT swordsman 🗡️, undefeated in 60 duels, wasn’t just a warrior—he was a legend of discipline, focus, and mental mastery. At heart, Musashi was driven by one thing: ultimate focus 🔥. From his time as a wandering samurai, he carved out 21 life principles, known as Dokkōdō (The Way of Walking Alone). Each principle challenges us to reach peak focus, live with purpose, and cut distractions like a warrior’s blade. Now, let’s break these down so you can apply them to real life today.

🔥INTRODUCTION

Musashi’s principles remind us that focus is key in a world full of distractions. By applying these lessons, we can live more intentionally and find joy in the journey! Let’s stay focused and keep pushing forward! 🚀💖

🎯 Final Thoughts

🔍 Definition: Don’t let emotions distract you from your goals.💬 Example: I would remind myself that a crush shouldn’t make me lose focus on my studies.💡 Application: I’ll keep my priorities straight, like finishing assignments before hanging out.

3. Stay Clear of Lust and Love Distractions💔

"The ultimate aim of martial arts is not having to use them."

🔍 Definition: Let go of stuff that clutters your life.💬 Example: I would donate clothes I haven’t worn in a year.💡 Application: I’ll declutter my room to make space for things that truly matter.

7. Don’t Hold on to Possessions You Don’t Need 🧳

🔍 Definition: Don’t get too attached; everything changes.💬 Example: I would remind myself that when a friend moves away, it’s okay to miss them, but it’s part of life.💡 Application: I’ll focus on making new friends instead of dwelling on the past.

1. Don’t Be Sad About Separation 👋

🔍 Definition: Don’t get upset if things don’t go your way.💬 Example: I would accept it when plans change, like a canceled game night.💡 Application: I’ll embrace whatever happens and make the best of it, like finding a new game to play.

4. Have No Preferences 🌍

🔍 Definition: Complaining wastes time; focus on your own growth.💬 Example: I would stop grumbling about unfair school rules and focus on studying harder instead.💡 Application: I’ll channel my energy into things I can change, like my grades or relationships.

2. No Room for Complaints 😤

🔍 Definition: Your happiness isn’t tied to your home.💬 Example: I would appreciate my small room instead of envying my friend’s bigger one.💡 Application: I’ll focus on making my space cozy and functional rather than wishing for more.

5. Be Indifferent to Where You Live🏡

🔍 Definition: Enjoy food, but don’t let it control you.💬 Example: I would avoid always eating out and learn to cook simple meals instead.💡 Application: I’ll appreciate healthy eating and not overindulge just for fun.

6. Don’t Chase Good Food 🍔

Why listen to Musashi? Musashi’s entire life was about achieving next-level skill in everything he did, from swordsmanship to philosophy 🧠. His mindset helped him survive and thrive alone, showing us how to build relentless focus, discipline, and mental toughness—qualities that are needed more than ever. Dive in if you’re ready to stop letting distractions run your life and start mastering the art of focus 👊.

Part 3: https://youtu.be/NGQQGeI1MmE

Miyamoto Musashi is one of the most legendary samurai and famed as Japan’s greatest swordsman - undefeated in more than sixty duels. After he escaped death during the Battle of Sekigahara, Musashi became a ronin. Aside from being a swordsman, he was also a philosopher, artist, and well-learned Buddhist. Before he died, Musashi left us with twenty-one principles named Dokkōdō. These are timeless rules that can inspire us today to live well. The majority, if not all, of these rules, help us to establish one thing: ‘focus’.

Focus is the quality of having a concentrated interest or activity on something. Needless to say, ‘focus’ was a crucial component in Musashi’s life, or, what he called ‘the way’, which is a life of ongoing practice. His writings reveal that his lifestyle revolved around restraint, sacrifice, discipline, and not being swayed by pleasure. These virtues were all established by or in support of being able to ‘focus’. Especially when he spent time apart from society, Musashi was only concerned with perfecting his skill, while aiming for enlightenment by the Way of the sword.

This three-part series elaborates on the twenty-one principles from Musashi’s Dokkōdō. The first part explored the first seven principles. This second part will explore how to live a life of ultimate focus, based on the next seven principles. Please note, the elaborations in this video are based on existing philosophies, the author’s interpretations, and reasoning, and are intended to be an inspiration for present-day life.

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🎵 Music used:
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Creative Commons (attributions):

Musashi statue: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Statue_of_Musashi_%26_Kojir%C5%8D_battle.jpg
Japanese horsemen: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Kobe-keiba6380.JPG
Dokkodo: https://terebess.hu/zen/mesterek/musashi.html
Go Rin no Sho: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Book_of_Five_Rings#/media/File:Go_Rin_No_Sho.gif
Skull: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:A_skull._Oil_painting._Wellcome_V0042218.jpg
Buddha painting: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Buddha_Fresco_Painting.jpg
Marcus Aurelius bust: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:MarkAurelFront.jpg
Abstract painting dinner: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Dinner_Party_(SM_lg32).png
Battle of Sekigahara: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Tokugawa_Vassal_Fortification_at_Battle_of_Sekigahara_(1600).jpg

00:00 - 0) Intro
01:57 - 8) Never let yourself be saddened by a separation.
04:03 - 9) Resentment and complaint are appropriate neither for oneself or others.
05:48 - 10) Do not let yourself be guided by the feeling of lust or love.
07:25 - 11) In all things have no preferences.
08:34 - 12) Be indifferent to where you live.
10:02 - 13) Do not pursue the taste of good food.
11:51 - 14) Do not hold on to possessions you no longer need.

#miyamotomusashi #dokkodo #ronin

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Einzelgänger explores a wide range of topics and ideas, with a dose of "as I see it," out of curiosity and creative urge.

Email: info(@)einzelganger.co

Einzelgänger is under the supervision of the Dutch Regulatory Media Authority (Commissariaat voor de Media).

*Disclaimer: The material provided by Einzelgänger isn't a clinical/medical service or replacement of mental health professionals, nor an academic resource.


MIYAMOTO MUSASHI

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