The Dokkodo: Miyamoto Musashi’s 21 rules to live by - part 1.
Accept everything just the way it is.
Miyamoto Musashi was a legendary Japanese samurai, philosopher, strategist and writer, who lived in the Edo period (1603–1867). He was also a ronin (masterless samurai), and is considered to be one of the most skilled swordsmen in Japanese history, reportedly fighting in 61 duels of which he lost none. He founded the Niten Ichi-ryu style of swordsmanship, which uses two swords simultaneously and wrote “The Book of Five Rings”, a classic reflection on strategy, tactics, and philosophy. In the days before his death in 1645, Miyamoto Musashi wrote “The Dokkodo”, which is a set of twenty one precepts, or rules for life, that allow one to live a more peaceful and fulfilling existence. The Dokkodo borrows heavily from various sources of philosophy, religion, and ethics, including Zen Buddhism, Confucianism, Taoism, and Bushido, and it’s teachings are just as relevant today as they were when they were written.
The first of Myamoto Musashi’s twenty one rules for life is “Accept everything just the way it is.” In the following article, I will explain what this means as well as how we can we apply it to our lives in a modern context.
What does it mean to accept everything just the way it is?
To accept everything just the way it is means to acknowledge the reality of everything within the present moment without trying to change it, resist it, or escape from it. It means to embrace the facts of our current situations, circumstances, and feelings, without judging them as either good or bad, right or wrong, desirable or undesirable. It means to accept ourselves and others as we and they are, without trying to fix, improve, or control them.
Accepting everything just the way it is in no way implies that we are then meant to be passive, complacent, or indifferent. It does not mean that we give up on our goals, dreams, or values, and it does not mean that we ignore the problems, challenges, or opportunities that we face. It also does not mean that we should tolerate injustice, oppression, or harm.
Accepting everything just the way it is does mean that we nee to be aware, alert, and attentive. It means to view the world in a way in which we will act with wisdom, courage, and compassion. It means we need to accept and take responsibility for our choices, actions, and consequences. It means to embrace and learn from our mistakes, failures, and successes, and it means we need to commit to a continual process of growth, change, and evolution.
Why is it important to accept everything just the way it is?
Accepting everything just the way it is important for many reasons. Firstly, it is the foundation of underlying peace, happiness, and freedom. When we accept everything just the way it is, we free ourselves from the suffering caused by our attachment to people and things, aversion from responsibilities and commitments, and ignorance those things that we do not know or choose to ignore. When we accept everything just the way it is, we stop fighting with reality of the present and start flowing in coincidence with it. We stop worrying about the past and the future and start living more fully in the present. We stop seeking happiness from external sources (validation through others or material things) and start finding it internally within ourselves.
Secondly, it is the basis of overall wisdom, clarity, and insight. When we accept everything just the way it is, we see things as they are, not as we wish them to be. We perceive the truth of ourselves, others, and the world, without distortion, illusion, falsity or delusion. We understand the causes and conditions of phenomena, without confusion, doubt, or misconception. We are then able to discern the best course of action, without hesitation, bias, or prejudice.
Thirdly, it is the prerequisite of unconditional love, compassion, and kindness. When we accept everything just the way it is, and fully embrace the preceding two reasons, we open our hearts to ourselves, others, and the world, without fear, anger, or hatred. We appreciate the beauty, diversity, and interdependence of all beings, things and entities, without greed, envy, or pride. We empathize with the joy and sorrow of all beings, without judgment, blame, or pity. We help, support, and serve all beings, without expectation, attachment, or reward, and we are able to identify the connection and relatedness of all things.
How can we practice accepting everything just the way it is?
There are many ways to practice accepting everything just the way it is, but here are some of the most simple and effective ones:
- Practice mindfulness.
Mindfulness is the practice of paying attention to the present moment with openness, curiosity, and acceptance. It helps us to observe our thoughts, emotions, sensations, and impulses, without identifying with them, reacting to them, or suppressing them. It helps us to notice the external stimuli, events, and situations, without labeling them, resisting them, or avoiding them. It helps us to cultivate a calm, clear, and compassionate state of mind and allows us greater connection to the world around us. - Practice gratitude.
Gratitude is the practice of expressing appreciation for the things that we have, what we are, and what we experience, without taking them for granted, comparing them to that of others, or complaining about them. It helps us to recognize the gifts, blessings, and opportunities that we possess and receive, without feeling entitled, dissatisfied, or resentful, and it helps us to acknowledge the contributions, efforts, and kindnesses of others, without feeling jealous, superior, or inferior. It also helps us to cultivate a joyful, generous, and humble state of heart and overall being. - Practice forgiveness.
Forgiveness is the practice of letting go of the resentment, anger, and bitterness that we hold towards ourselves, others, or the world, for the real or perceived wrongs that we have suffered, caused, or witnessed, without condoning them, denying them, or forgetting them. It helps us to heal the wounds, scars, and traumas that we carry, without dwelling on them, repeating them, or transmitting them. Forgiveness also helps us to reconcile the conflicts, differences, and misunderstandings that we encounter, without avoiding them, escalating them, or suppressing them, and it allows us to cultivate a peaceful, loving, and free state of being.
Conclusion.
This is a powerful and profound rule is one that can transform our lives for the better almost immediately. By understanding this concept, and accepting everything just the way it is, we can achieve peace, happiness, and freedom; wisdom, clarity, and insight; and love, compassion, and kindness. We can also face the challenges, difficulties, and uncertainties of life with courage, resilience, and optimism, and we can live in harmony with ourselves, others, and the world.
Click here to read part two.
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