Musashi's Dokkodo (The Way of Walking Alone)

Meditations by Marcus Aurelius (Roman Emperor from 161 to 180
AD). Although the translator is unlikely to deliberately alter a
statement or modify a meaning, there is always room for
interpretation, opportunities for error. If the translator was an
academic, for example, we get a scholarly view. If he or she was a
military historian, on the other hand, the perspective would be
different. Either way there’s one lens, one point of view. We’ve tried
to be more holistic here.
This translation of Musashi’s precepts comes from the public
domain, we saw no need to quibble with precise wording when each
passage spans but a single sentence, yet this book contains five
different interpretations of each precept of the Dokkodo written by
five martial artists who come from very different walks of life. Each
contributor was selected because he or she has lived a divergent

---

existence from the others, yet shares the commonality of being a
lifelong martial practitioner and published author.
We will address each of the 21 precepts in turn, taking the
perspective of a monk (written by Franciscan Friar Kris Wilder), a
warrior (written by former US Army Sniper Instructor Alain Burrese),
a teacher (written by educator Wallace Smedley), an insurance
executive (written by claims examiner Lisa Christensen), and a
businessman (written IT strategist by Lawrence Kane), in our
analysis. As you read this treatise you will see how some of these
views agree with what Musashi has written, how we have found
modern relevance from the legendary swordsman’s final words, as
well as where some of our views differ. Or, in some cases where one
or more authors might have rejected Musashi’s position entirely.
In this fashion you’re not just reading a translation of Musashi’s
writing. You are scrutinizing his final words for deeper meaning. For
all his faults, Musashi was a genius, one whose writings merit deep
consideration. Our goal is to make you think; help you find modern
meaning and application from Dokkodo for your own life as we have
done for ours.
Enjoy!

---