Dokkodo – The way of walking alone

[Mr. SmithParticipant 686]

Gentlemen,

I am not sure if all of you know Miyamoto Musashi, perhaps the greatest warrior ever lived. Excellent swordsman, outstanding philosopher and artist. He totally went his own way and this was very shameful and unusual in imperial Japan, but he didn’t mind. As far as known he never married, but adopted a son in 1622 and 1624. I highly recommend his “book of five rings”, it’s still valid advice today.

—

The Dokkodo or “The Way of Walking Alone” was written by Miyamoto Musashi one week before dying, for the occasion where Musashi was giving away his possessions in preparation for death.

It was given to Terao Magonojo, his most skilled disciple in Niten-Ichi-Ryu. After the Gorin-No-Sho, Dokkodo is the summary of Musashi’s life, his will and his philosophy.

The 21 precepts of Dokkodo:

1. Accept everything just the way it is.
2. Do not seek pleasure for its own sake.
3. Do not, under any circumstances, depend on a partial feeling.
4. Think lightly of yourself and deeply of the world.
5. Be detached from desire your whole life long.
6. Do not regret what you have done.
7. Never be jealous.
8. Never let yourself be saddened by a separation.
9. Resentment and complaint are appropriate neither for oneself or others.
10. Do not let yourself be guided by the feeling of lust or love.
11. In all things have no preferences.
12. Be indifferent to where you live.
13. Do not pursue the taste of good food.
14. Do not hold on to possessions you no longer need.
15. Do not act following customary beliefs.
16. Do not collect weapons or practice with weapons beyond what is useful.
17. Do not fear death.
18. Do not seek to possess either goods or fiefs for your old age.
19. Respect Buddha and the gods without counting on their help.
20. You may abandon your own body but you must preserve your honour.
21. Never stray from the Way.

"I need men, real men, men with balls, certainly not sissies. I would never ask them to take an enemy position, but I insist that they follow me to that position. If you are one of those men, raise your hand." Napoleon Bonaparte

[Jan SobieskiParticipant 28791]

+100.

Love is just alimony waiting to happen. Visit mgtow.com.

[StealthParticipant 5335]

This is excellent, Thank you for sharing.

"Once you’ve taken care of the basics, there’s very little in this world for which your life is worth deferring." -David Hansson. "It’s not when women are mean or nasty that anything is out of the ordinary. It’s when they are NICE to you that you have to be on high alert..." -Jackinov.

[black_knightParticipant 2602]

I have a problem. I really desire this book, but it undermines principle number 5. I don’t know what to do.

[StargazerParticipant 12505]

There is a level of detachment at which there ceases to be any point in actually living.

While I agree in principle with most of the precepts put forth here, I have to say that it is possible to be too attached to detachment.

To steal a page from Yoda, this crude matter we are, not luminous beings. principles are important, but so is pleasure. Speaking as a discordan, I strongly advise my brothers to find the balance between stoicism and hedonism… not to become too attached or detached from either one. All things in moderation, including moderation itself.

[Gone GhostSpectator 222]

Great post.. I own a copy of this book, and also the Hagakure.

~ Were you listening to me, Neo? Or were you looking at the woman in the red dress? ~

[NerdTunnelerParticipant]

Thanks for sharing OP…Distilled wisdom from the ages…

I stand with feet apart and let my balls hang free...Manginas dont have balls...See how they stand and sit at the whim of their masters...

[Point Of No ReturnParticipant 4074]

Stargazer wrote:

There is a level of detachment at which there ceases to be any point in actually living.

While I agree in principle with most of the precepts put forth here, I have to say that it is possible to be too attached to detachment.

To steal a page from Yoda, this crude matter we are, not luminous beings. principles are important, but so is pleasure. Speaking as a discordan, I strongly advise my brothers to find the balance between stoicism and hedonism… not to become too attached or detached from either one. All things in moderation, including moderation itself.

That makes sense to me Doc.

Know when it is your duty to give them zero explanations for your actions.

[Gone GhostSpectator 222]

Stargazer wrote:

While I agree in principle with most of the precepts put forth here, I have to say that it is possible to be too attached to detachment.

This is very true Doc, well said. I am currently battling with that myself –
I have opted to go a Stoic route but it is very easy for detachment to lead to total Nihilism. Can be hard to find your way back if you venture too far. Whenever I opt for balance, I feel more positive and alive – despite the totally detached route having a strange allure which pulls me in time and time again; perhaps it is the shielding from pain that it provides. However this shield can become a tomb if you don’t push your boundaries and make sure to live!

~ Were you listening to me, Neo? Or were you looking at the woman in the red dress? ~

[Anonymous 3]

i have found the Way of Taoism best suited for me. i do not deny any aspect of being a man, but I am circumspect in all that I do as well as take responsibility for my behavior. The middle way is ( for me ) the most natural. And thank for topic & post

[Author]

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