The Dokkodo: Miyamoto Musashi’s 21 rules to live by - part 10.
Do not let yourself be guided by the feeling of lust or love.
The Dokkodo is a set of 21 rules for life written by the legendary samurai and philosopher Miyamoto Musashi in the days before his death in 1645. The tenth rule in this series is: “Do not let yourself be guided by the feeling of lust or love”, and this article will explore what this means and how we can apply it to our lives (if you want to read this series from the beginning, click here for part one).
What does it mean by not being guided by lust or love?
Not being guided by lust or love means being free from the influence of passion, emotion, and attachment associated with either. It means to remain rational, objective, and independent in thoughts and decisions, and also means to be in control of yourself, not allowing others to have control or influence over you.
As a master of swordsmanship, strategy, and Zen Buddhism, Musashi lived a life of constant adversity, danger, and adventure. He faced many opponents, situations, and environments during his life, and he needed to be able to adapt to them quickly and skillfully. He could not afford to be distracted, deceived, or dominated by thoughts of lust or love. To survive, it was imperative that his mind remain focused, clear, and calm.
