One of my favorite quotes of all time (I do have a lot of favorite quotes, though) is attributed to Miyamoto Musashi.
Think lightly of yourself and deeply of the world.
I believe we need to remind ourselves about how miniature we are compared to the world itself. It also ties to the context of giving and that we should always be looking for a way to make someone’s life better.
Always. Life is music, as Alan Watts says.
In our everyday thoughts and deeds. No matter how insignificant it can seem, a good deed can cause a snowball effect of happiness.
I found it is the small everyday deeds of ordinary folk that keep the darkness at bay. Small acts of kindness and love.
Gandalf
There’s no progress bar on this 🤷
However, we can try to bear this thought in mind at all times and wherever we go.
Miyamoto Musashi’s Dokkōdō
This book has been on my mind for a while now. With my upcoming Sabbatical on May 20th (a after 5 years of working for Automattic and yes, I’m counting days, hours, minutes, and seconds to its start, as you can see) 👇
I’m looking forward to reading Dokkōdō. And at least a couple of other books that have been on my mind for a while. However, in today’s post, I wanted to mention the 21 precepts of Dokkōdō I found quite admirable. Here they go 🙇
Accept everything just the way it is.
Think lightly of yourself and deeply of the world.
Never be jealous.
Do not let yourself be guided by the feeling of lust or love.
Do not pursue the taste of good food.
Do not collect weapons or practice with weapons beyond what is useful.
Respect Buddha and the gods without counting on their help.
Do not seek pleasure for its own sake.
Be detached from desire your whole life long.
Never let yourself be saddened by a separation.
In all things have no preferences.
Do not hold on to possessions you no longer need.
Do not fear death.
You may abandon your own body but you must preserve your honour.
Do not, under any circumstances, depend on a partial feeling.
Do not regret what you have done.
Resentment and complaint are appropriate neither for oneself or others.
Be indifferent to where you live.
Do not act following customary beliefs.
Do not seek to possess either goods or fiefs for your old age.
Never stray from the way.
One reply on “Dokkodo”
Took me a while but I read it ✅ A good book, makes you question a lot of things and also see these precepts from different angles.