Miyamoto Musashi

The Jitté of Miyamoto Musashi's grandfather

Funny how so many voices speak with the same tongue. No matter what name you give to a particular personal practice so the meaning remains if not the same then so similar as to be family. Miyamoto Musashi was a swordsman whose legend has grown in Japanese history so that now the man is considered a saint of swordsmen.  No matter the myth the legend holds truths beyond those fragile concepts. Miyamoto Musashi was a Samurai. One who, when his lord died, became a Ronin. That is a warrior bereft of a master. Miyamoto Musashi was also a Buddhist and artist and philosopher. He authored two books which contain his thoughts and much wisdom. "The Book of Five Rings" and "Dokkodó" (The Book of Aloneness.) It is from the last book that these 21 thoughts come. They meet Stoicism, Tao, Zen along with regular Buddhism on the way with their philosophical thought. I think many remain true today.

1. Accept everything just the way it is.

2. Do not seek pleasure for its own sake.

3. Do not, under any circumstances, depend on a partial feeling.

4. Think lightly of yourself and deeply of the world.

5. Be detached from desire your whole life long.

6. Do not regret what you have done.

7. Never be jealous.

8. Never let yourself be saddened by a separation.

9. Resentment and complaint are appropriate neither for oneself or others.

10. Do not let yourself be guided by the feeling of lust or love.

11. In all things have no preferences.

12. Be indifferent to where you live.

13. Do not pursue the taste of good food.

14. Do not hold on to possessions you no longer need.

15. Do not act following customary beliefs.

16. Do not collect weapons or practise with weapons beyond what is useful.

17. Do not fear death.

18. Do not seek to possess either goods or fiefs for your old age.

19. Respect Buddha and the gods without counting on their help.

20. You may abandon your own body but you must preserve your honour.

21. Never stray from the way.

Native American Wisdom

 

Whatever, However, god is

 

It starts with not knowing. Not knowing why. Why we are here. From not knowing comes fear. Fear of not knowing. Knowing is of the known therefore of the past. We can only know either in the now or experiences gained from the past. We do not live in the past. The past is gone. The past leaves a footprint in our minds that echoes throughout our lives. The fear remains. We don't know why we are here so we invent deities. Deities like ourselves. Yet the deities we created are not as powerful as god the reality.

Our knowledge, the past experiences, tells us we create things. Humans make things therefore there must be another who made us. A supreme being like us. A supernatural being who, like us creates. This being created everything. We gave that idea, that concept a name. Therefore there are as many names for that being as there are languages to speak that concepts name. Many call that concept God. God is the name selected by many, all of whom, if they live by the Golden Rule are, welcome to believe what they chose to believe. As long as they don't break The Golden Rule what does it matter what name they select for that which is greater than us all, greater than life itself whilst being life itself? 

God is a word. All words spring from the language the individual cultures created. All words are human-made. The word does not define that which the reality is. All life is god. Not the concept but the reality. If you wish to worship a deity without hurting others then worship that deity. If you don't worship any deity but allow others to do so then what harm is done? Perhaps that Vulcan saying, "Live Long and Prosper" could be altered to say "Live Long and Flourish."  I'm certain that god, however you conceive God to be, would approve. 

"Therefore be at peace with God, whatever you conceive Him to be. And whatever your labours and aspirations, in the noisy confusion of life, keep peace in your soul. With all its sham, drudgery and broken dreams, it is still a beautiful world. Be cheerful. Strive to be happy" - Max Ehrmann

Words of Wisdom

 

Revolution? Bye Bye Mister American Pie

 Without handing out excuses for there is no excuse for inciting violence, Donald Trump is a very sick man. Again, I am not being unkind for what positive response comes from unkindness? Donald Trump patently has mental health issues. No balanced person would condone then condemn those he coerced into aggressive behaviour. No so-called leader would lead by divisive measure. A so-called leader would lead by example no matter his personal position. But of course, Donald Trump has multiple positions. Unlike Adolf Hitler who was an ideologue with a touch of the demagogue about him, Donald Trump needs to be loved, to be respected. He is a full-on demagogue. He thirsts for others to like him, to worship him, to follow in his wake. Unlike Hitler, the fascist to beat all fascists, Donald Trump uses those who think themselves far-right, who are fascist, who are white supremacists. They fulfil a need in Donald Trump's psyche. They prove to others that Donald Trump IS followed, IS loved, IS worshipped but worshipped by those who believe without a shred of data or proof that which they dislike. They have proved useful. They have also proved by their actions that the divide in America is far greater than feared.

Donald Trump should resign. That is not going to happen. No sooner had he recorded a very scripted condemnation of those who, again by their actions, were the cause of 5 deaths than he has subsequently stated he will not attend the inauguration of the democratically elected USA President. Only a mentally ill patient would flip from one foot to the other in an attempt to keep face with those who follow him. Then again, he wants to appeal to those who sit on the fence. I cannot see ho fence-sitting this time will help, besides, those fence-sitters have now climbed down and stood with the majority. Donald Trump will not resign. Impeachment? Don't make me laugh. No, too slow. Donald Trump must now be escorted from office, handed over to those who can help him before he causes more damage to innocent people and to himself.

The frightening prospect to the observer is a Civil War. A thought that sends a chill down this non-American's spine. I can't see how that will happen. Not even the Generals in charge of the military will action that. They didn't join Donald Trump's side when pretenders to be involved in the 'Black Lives Matter' protest brought civil unrest along with violence to the streets of America, I doubt they will support the self-same violent individuals now even if they pretend to be of a different stripe. Violent people need violence. The cause they suggest to belong to really doesn't matter just the brief, unpleasant outcome -violent insurgence. Civil War is on the cards but I cannot see it being allowed to happen. The trouble is for Joe Biden, he now has the toughest task of all, that of reuniting America. Of healing the divide that has been growing since the halcyon days of President Clinton. Joe Biden's task will not be an easy one. That leaves an errant President filled with spite in The Whitehouse. Donald Trump must go. He must feel the full impact of American law for no man, no matter what office or position they hold is above the law.

Who Cares?

 

While Nero Tweets, the Elderly and Disabled Suffer

  

Free use image by John Hain on Pixabay

This post is a response to this post:

https://kalpanawrites.com/shadow

I can definitely relate to the feeling of being a shadow of my former self. In fairness, my former self was a workaholic who didn't take care of herself at all. I'm kind of surprised that I didn't end up in an early grave.

I have been waiting on a disability determination for almost a year now. That people are punished for becoming disabled is unconscionable to me. However, seeing as my country is figuratively burning while Nero tweets (or he would tweet if he hadn't been booted off Twitter at least temporarily) nobody gives a rat's hindquarters about handicapped and elderly people, I can assure you.

Ornery Owl Has Spoken

Free use image by Open Clipart Vectors on Pixabay

The Inner Light (a truth worth repeating)

 

Medical Fact 2, Science verifies Meditation - Try It. Be Happy

 

Medical Fact, Science verifies Meditation - Try It. Be Happy