Musashi's Dokkodo (The Way of Walking Alone)

Ron Breines,
Associate Professor, University of Maryland; martial arts instructor
(Kakuto Ryu Jujutsu/Karate-Jutsu, Okinawa Meibukan Goju Ryu);
certified firearms/self-defense tactical instructor
~~
“I was never sure if Musashi was a genius, or had one oar out of the
water, or was like a guy on the loading docks pontificating about how
the company ‘should be run.’ One thing is for sure, he was a killer—
and he was good at it. Now the question is, ‘How well do those

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attributes translate into modern life?’ There are a lot of modern
wannabe warriors running around who like to claim they understand
ol’ Miyamoto. As there are corporate types who pretend The Book of
Five Rings is a business model. Thing is there’s a lot of stuff he said
that is off the deep end and, yet, there’s some solid advice there too.
The questions are: One, which one is which? Two, what advice can
you apply to modern life and what do you need to drop faster than an
annoyed scorpion. Musashi’s Dokkodo takes the refreshing
approach of five modern people, from different backgrounds, offering
you insights into what advice can help you versus which advice will
sting you.” — 
Marc MacYoung (
www.nononsenseselfdefense.com
)
~~
“One of the more limiting quotes I’ve ever heard went something like,
‘Those that can, do. Those that can’t, teach.” Perhaps, though, there
is a kernel of truth in this, but from the opposite direction some of the
best doers, for lack of a better word, were absolutely horrible
teachers. They simply could not get across the phenomenal skill sets
they possessed to other people.
“Miyamoto Musashi was one of the greatest doers to ever live.
Arguably the greatest known swordsman of all time, his actions
speak for themselves. That said, he was also a rather gifted teacher.
His treatise The Book of Five Rings is essential reading in many
quarters from war colleges to business. But he also passed on a
lesser known tome, Dokkodo, which is translated as ‘The Way of
Walking Alone.’ This short work is a list of twenty-one precepts he
wrote to his protégé one week before he died. It is masterful and
profound, for such a small work.
“The book you’re about to read is how these precepts are viewed
through the different lenses and experiences of people with expertise
in different professional areas of society. Ranging from a warrior to a
businessman to a monk, each person will have a different take on
the same precept. Sometimes there are only subtle differences.
Sometimes wildly different takes result. Oftentimes you the reader
will disagree with the particular interpretation. This is a good thing.

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We should argue what Musashi meant, particularly given more
modern takes on morality and ethics.
“So, read on, and make sure to bring an open mind.” —