The Dokkodo: Miyamoto Musashi’s 21 rules to live by - part 2.
Do not seek pleasure for its own sake.
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 second rule in this series is: “Do not seek pleasure for its own sake,” and this article will explore what this means and how we can apply it to our lives (if you want to read thise series from the beginning, click here for part one).
What does it mean to not seek pleasure for its own sake?
To not seek pleasure for its own sake means to avoid indulging in sensual, material, or emotional gratification that does not serve a higher purpose. in other words, it means avoiding most things that are glorifed by mainstream media and advertising for our in western society. It means to resist the temptation of fleeting and superficial pleasures that distract us from our true goals, values, and principles in favour of those things with higher value and meaning. It means to refrain from wasting our time, energy, and resources on things that do not contribute to our personal well-being, individual growth, and overall fulfillment.
Not seeking pleasure for its own sake does not mean to reject or deny pleasure altogether. It does not mean to live a life of austerity, asceticism, or self-denial…
