The Mind of the Martial Artist
Thoughts from a 500 year old Musha Shugyo
The most famous musha shugyo was that of Miyamoto Musashi. 500 years ago, as a thirteen-year-old he killed a man in a duel, and set out to see what he might become. At the end of his Journey he wrote A Book of Five Rings. Here are quotes, and an interpretation.
“The primary thing when you take a sword in your hands
is your intention to cut the enemy, whatever the means.
a criminal of purpose
“Do not sleep under a roof. Carry no money or food. Go alone to places frightening to the common brand of men. ”
It is only through labor and painful effort, by grim energy and resolute courage, that we move on to better things. - Theodore Roosevelt