The Way of Walking in Darkness

original posting:  17 October 2007

If you have known me for any length of time, you know that i am full of philisophical thoughts and questions. If you read my blogs, you may be aware of a series i did, though incomplete, on the writings of Miyamoto Musashi, specifically his 21 tenets on "The Way of Walking Alone."
It struck home, much of what he had written, over four hundred years ago, that i had only read for the first time a few short months ago. What he wrote i had been feeling and doing for a great while in my life. To have it so pointedly and plainly written before me... well... it struck home. I have been since trying to reconcile those words on the page with my life, and applying that beautiful, yet difficult philosophy to my way, my path and my tenets. Following the heart of Musashi, i have made his very words my own.
"The Way of Walking in the Darkness"
* Do not accept that you know enough of the world*
* Do not let your desire for love and lust warp your thoughts and actions*
* Do not rely on anyone before first relying on yourself*
* Do not take yourself, or your circumstances, too seriously; take the world in her harshest light*
* Do not ever think in acusations*
* Do not fear or regret your past; it is what has created your path*
* Do not desire anything that another does; desire what you are able to do*
* Do not mourn the path or where it leads*
* Do not allow thoughts of bitterness or complaint, in yourself or others*
* Have no heart for approaching the path of love*
* Do not prefer anything, accept what the path brings you*
* Do not harbor hopes; create the path that presents opportunity*
* Do not desire food so that you destroy your body*
* Do not desire possessions only for yourself*
* Do not allow yourself any weakness*
* Do not desire material things against all others*
* Do not allow death to destroy life*
* Do not plan for tomorrow without ensuring today*
* Do not seek gods when the power lies within*
* Never seek less than a path which betters yourself*
* Never live without honor; your life is your word*