Let us break from our environments for a second and embrace the elements. Water, Earth, Fire and Wind. We are composed of the elements, and we harness these elements for both inner peace and inner warfare. Miyamoto Musashi is one of the most brilliant minds that has ever lived in regards to the philosophy of human spirit; allow me to share with you 'The Water Scroll'.
The Assasin's State of Mind:
Musashi was not a standard assassin, he was a swordsman by trade and became a lethal force in dueling with blades. His acumen and pure skill are proven by his undefeated record as a weilder of swords: 60 Victories - 0 Defeats
"The state of mind should remain the same as normal in ordinary circumstances as well as when practicing martial arts. Let there be no change at all with the mind open and direct; neither tense nor lax...centering the mind so there is no imbalance. Calmly relax your mind and savor this moment of ease thouroughly."
Be Like Water:
Bruce Lee invented the quote, but Musashi invented the principle. To be like water is to be unmoved by preoccupation, and to use the mind as the greatest weapon.
Every move to defend is an opportunity to attack; stagnancy and hesitation are death in a sword duel, so treat them as death in your average day. With the principles of Musashi and pioneers like Bruce Lee, one can master their own elements and guide inner power towards anything in this universe! Martial arts are the most effective way to disperse kinetic energy and learn to dispel damage all the while causing it, but Musashi's '5 Rings' can help those achieve so much more in life if they so choose...
"It is imperative to master the principles of the art of war, and learn to be unmoved in mind.. even in the heat of battle."
The Water Scroll is one of my favorite excerpts as it deals in the 'opportunity' of battle. Much like fighting, life is a war. Inner war, outer war... we are at war with the plagues of the world and the plagues of our mind.
When one takes the opportunity to ignore pain and embrace growth, they unlock unforseen potential.
The mind has immense power. Create the Universe you seek.
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