Musashi's Dokkodo (The Way of Walking Alone)

particular charge of not seeking material items in your old age,
Musashi underscores and brings a normal progression of life into the
light for us to observe. It’s good advice.
Warrior:
I’m not sure if this precept comes from Musashi’s stoic and ascetic
philosophy for living or something else, but I rather look at this
precept in a way that makes sense for modern day living as I see it
through a warrior’s lens. First, we should look at the probability of a
warrior even reaching old age. In Musashi’s time, a cut from a sharp
katana could be fatal even if it was a minor slice. While it takes
cutting off your opponent’s head in the Highlander movies and

---

television show to kill immortals, in reality the rest of us can easily
die from infection from even minor wounds. It’s only been in recent
years that the advances in medicine have reduced the number of
deaths due to sickness. For instance, disease, infections, and
gangrene killed way more soldiers during the Civil War than bullets.
Musashi certainly saw his share of death by infectious disease and
illness and most likely was more acutely aware of mortality than
most. And with this in mind, I want to look at the precept in a way to
live life more fully in the present.
Most people, if not warriors, seldom think of their own mortality, and
in fact often behave as if they will live forever. The reality is that no
sunrise promises a sunset. Every single day people wake up, fully
expecting to be here tomorrow, but never make it to the end of today.
It’s for this reason that we must appreciate each day and live in the
moment. This doesn’t mean to recklessly abandon our plans and
goals for the future, but it does mean we shouldn’t sacrifice
everything in the present for a future that may never arrive.
I may not be aligned with Musashi’s thoughts on this one at all, but
when thinking of the above, I look at this precept and think about
those who waste their lives saving for the future, or trying to amass
possessions, wealth, and properties at the expense of enjoying any
of them in the present. I believe there needs to be a balance
between living for today and planning for the future. A reckless
carefree lifestyle can leave a person wanting in the future, and giving
up everything now to possess luxuries in the future can backfire if
you don’t live to enjoy them.
So I try to apply this precept by remembering to enjoy the journey,
and not become obsessed by the destination. My goal isn’t to amass
possessions or wealth for my old age, but rather experience as much
as I possibly can now and throughout all of my life. If I have my
choice, I rather amass experiences over goods of fiefs for my old
age. We can’t take possessions with us when we die, so I’d rather
have enriching experiences and fulfilling relationships over
possessions any day. And because the warrior doesn’t know when

---

that final day will come, but understands that it could be at any time,
he or she boldly seeks the most enriching experiences life has to
offer, and enjoys even the miniscule moments of the present.