The Dokkodo: Miyamoto Musashi’s 21 rules to live by - part 4.
Think lightly of yourself and deeply of the world.
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 fourth rule in this series is: “Think lightly of yourself and deeply of the world”, 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 to think lightly of yourself and deeply of the world?
To think lightly of yourself and deeply of the world means that you should have a humble, realistic, and respectful attitude towards yourself and others. It means to avoid being arrogant, self-centered, or egotistical, while also acknowledging your strengths and weaknesses, your successes and failures, and your virtues and vices, without exaggerating or minimizing them. It also means to appreciate your uniqueness and potential, without comparing or competing with others in your field or those around you.
Thinking lightly of yourself and deeply of the world also means to have a curious, attentive, and compassionate awareness of the world and all of its phenomena. It means to avoid being ignorant, indifferent, or apathetic while also observing, embracing and understanding the true nature, history, and culture of the world, without distorting or ignoring any of its included elements. Additionally, it means that you should appreciate the beauty, diversity, and interdependence of the world and all things around you, without exploiting it or doing it harm.
Why is it important to think lightly of yourself and deeply of the world? Thinking lightly of yourself and deeply of the world is important for many reasons, both physically and spiritually. Firstly, it is the key to our happiness, peace, and freedom. When we think lightly of ourselves and deeply of the world, we free ourselves from the suffering we experience caused by pride, greed, and ignorance, brought about by the material and commercial world. We detach ourselves from our self-image, possessions, and opinions and conceit, allowing us to no longer be troubled by our fears, doubts, and regrets. When we can achieve this, we stop being enslaved by our desires, expectations, and judgments of others and things.
When we think lightly of ourselves and deeply of the world, we also open ourselves up to be accepting of the joy, love, and wisdom that the world offers. We start seeing more things to be grateful for our life, embracing the unconditional and universal gifts presented to us, as well becoming attuned to the infinite possibilities and opportunities around us. We become inspired by our dreams, goals, and values and those of others, and we start allowing our intuition, conscience, and spirit to guide us.
Secondly, it is the foundation of excellence, virtue, and mastery. When we think lightly of ourselves and deeply of the world, we become more open to the improvement of ourselves and our skills, as well as the seeking of experiences. We stop being complacent and lazy, desiring to be more that mediocre, becoming diligent, disciplined, and pursuant of excellence. We stop being satisfied, content, or comfortable, and start being curious, adventurous, and innovative.
When we think lightly of ourselves and deeply of the world, we also contribute to the world and its collaborative well-being. We stop being selfish, harmful, or destructive and start seeking opportunities to be generous, helpful, and constructive. We stop being isolated, alienated, or indifferent and start being connected, engaged, and involved, inviting and inspiring others to come along with us.
Third, it is the source of harmony, balance, and unity. When we think lightly of ourselves and deeply of the world, we harmonize ourselves and our relationships, avoiding any hostile, aggressive, or violent intent. We start being friendly, peaceful, and respectful, dismissing divisive, exclusive, or prejudiced acts or movements. In turn, we start expressing inclusive, tolerant, and empathetic perspectives and actions.
When we think lightly of ourselves and deeply of the world, we also balance ourselves and our environment. We seek opportunities to stop being wasteful, living in excess, or imbalance. We start being moderate, sufficient, and frugal. We resist chaotic, disorderly, or unstable behaviors or traits in favor of those that are orderly, stable, and harmonious.
How can we practice thinking lightly of ourselves and deeply of the world? There are many ways to practice thinking lightly of ourselves and deeply of the world. The following are some simple and effective ones that you can implement today:
- Practice self-reflection.
Self-reflection is the practice of examining our thoughts, feelings, actions, and motives, with honesty, openness, and acceptance. It helps us to know ourselves better, to recognize our strengths and weaknesses, to learn from our successes and failures, to correct our mistakes and improve our habits, to align our actions with our values and principles, and to grow as a person. - Practice gratitude.
Gratitude is the practice of expressing appreciation for what we have, what we are, and what we experience, without taking them for granted, comparing them, or complaining about them. It helps us to recognize the gifts, blessings, and opportunities that we receive, without feeling entitled, dissatisfied, or resentful. It helps us to acknowledge the contributions, efforts, and kindnesses of others, without feeling jealous, superior, or inferior. It helps us to cultivate a joyful, generous, and humble state of heart. - Practice curiosity.
Curiosity is the practice of seeking new knowledge, information, and experiences, with interest, enthusiasm, and eagerness. It helps us to expand our horizons, to discover new things, to learn new skills, to solve new problems, to create new possibilities, and to enrich our lives. It helps us to overcome our ignorance, prejudice, and fear, and to embrace diversity, complexity, and uncertainty. It helps us to cultivate a curious, adventurous, and innovative state of mind.
Conclusion.
The was the fourth element of the Dokkodo — think lightly of yourself and deeply of the world. It is a powerful and profound rule that can enhance our lives for the better, be exploring it from both a physical and spiritual perspective. By thinking lightly of ourselves and deeply of the world, we can achieve happiness, peace, and freedom; excellence, virtue, and mastery; and harmony, balance, and unity. We can also overcome the challenges, difficulties, and uncertainties of life with developed courage, resilience, and optimism, allowing us to live in harmony with ourselves, others, and the world around us.
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