You need to sign in or sign up before continuing.
Take a photo of a barcode or cover
informative
inspiring
reflective
slow-paced
I liked it. Nice metaphor. Good practical advice.
Stuff I liked:
1. Everything you see is emptiness, and you alone grant it qualities. This philosophical concept explains the world's duality: why two people can perceive an object or event differently. Thus, there is no reality as we understand it.
2. A warrior's mind must always be clear and uncorrupted. Therefore, they must be focused only on one objective — to cut down their enemy. Any thoughts, plans, or wishes for a desired outcome will only cloud the warrior's vision, sabotaging their victory. Constant practice helps the body and mind act instinctively, even when the surroundings change.
3. Live by your own rules but learn from others who have already succeeded.
4. Victories are earned through the discomfort of discipline.
5. Learn about others to learn more about yourself.
Stuff I liked:
1. Everything you see is emptiness, and you alone grant it qualities. This philosophical concept explains the world's duality: why two people can perceive an object or event differently. Thus, there is no reality as we understand it.
2. A warrior's mind must always be clear and uncorrupted. Therefore, they must be focused only on one objective — to cut down their enemy. Any thoughts, plans, or wishes for a desired outcome will only cloud the warrior's vision, sabotaging their victory. Constant practice helps the body and mind act instinctively, even when the surroundings change.
3. Live by your own rules but learn from others who have already succeeded.
4. Victories are earned through the discomfort of discipline.
5. Learn about others to learn more about yourself.
discipline: the effort to not stop the mind in one place
informative
reflective
medium-paced
Who knew a martial-arts handbook, intended for swordsmen of the 17th century, could have a broad appeal philosophically?
Book written by a samurai named Miyamoto Musashi who killed over sixty men in one vs one combat (with a sword). Interesting to read his personal philosophy about killing, the arts, strategy, and life in general. According to the back of the book he integrated the philosophies of Buddhism, Shintoism, Confucianism, and Taoism.
A little repetitive but interesting nonetheless. There are a lot of great quotes.
QUOTES:
"Following rules only permits development up to a point in technique; to advance further the student and artist must learn and seek other knowledge."
"You must understand that there is more than one path to the top of the mountain."
"The purpose of today's training is to defeat yesterday's understanding."
"Truth is not what you want it to be; it is what it is, and you must bend to its power or live a lie."
"Perceive that which cannot be seen with the eye."
"All men are the same except for their belief in their own selves, regardless of what others may think of them."
A little repetitive but interesting nonetheless. There are a lot of great quotes.
QUOTES:
"Following rules only permits development up to a point in technique; to advance further the student and artist must learn and seek other knowledge."
"You must understand that there is more than one path to the top of the mountain."
"The purpose of today's training is to defeat yesterday's understanding."
"Truth is not what you want it to be; it is what it is, and you must bend to its power or live a lie."
"Perceive that which cannot be seen with the eye."
"All men are the same except for their belief in their own selves, regardless of what others may think of them."
“Think lightly of yourself and deeply of the world”
I am so happy that I was told to read the Art of War before A Book of Five Rings because it helped me understand what this book was all about.
A Book of Five Rings, written by Miyamoto Musashi an expert Japanese swordsman back in the 16th and 17th century. Throughout this book, Musashi lays out in plain language an idea he calls 'The Way.' The purpose of this 'Way' is simple, to ignore all pomp, circumstance, distractions, grandiose displays of prowess and close with the enemy and kill them. Swiftly, without rancor, without a second thought.
In regards to another quote "Do nothing which is of no use", he explains that whether this enemy is a real live one, a competitor, or an obstacle/struggle within your own life, the point is to take control through practice, hard work, perseverance, study, and master that which opposes you through any means necessary.
Study, consider, train, examine, observe. The list goes on. This book is a practical guide to life, whether you are in the military or a business person or just an average joe looking to get a handle on life.
I enjoy the difference between the books, as Sun Tzu really focused on the fact that it is better not to fight than to be involved in a conflict, while Miyamoto was the complete opposite, indicating that you must do whatever you can to throw your opponent off balance, onto their weak hand, blind them, use every advantage you know to utterly remove them from the equation. If you can accept this, you'll never fear a thousand fights. However, one similarity between the two is Sun Tzu believed that if you do have to fight in any point of your life, then you have to do it to win, and these are the various strategies, often brutal, that will get you that result, and in order to do that you must know who your enemy is.
Do I believe in what Miyamoto believes in fully, no, not everything, I am more of a Sun Tzu enthusiast, however, I will admit some of the things he did talk about was interesting to read and trying to fully understand his point of view.
7 down, 33 to go.
I am so happy that I was told to read the Art of War before A Book of Five Rings because it helped me understand what this book was all about.
A Book of Five Rings, written by Miyamoto Musashi an expert Japanese swordsman back in the 16th and 17th century. Throughout this book, Musashi lays out in plain language an idea he calls 'The Way.' The purpose of this 'Way' is simple, to ignore all pomp, circumstance, distractions, grandiose displays of prowess and close with the enemy and kill them. Swiftly, without rancor, without a second thought.
In regards to another quote "Do nothing which is of no use", he explains that whether this enemy is a real live one, a competitor, or an obstacle/struggle within your own life, the point is to take control through practice, hard work, perseverance, study, and master that which opposes you through any means necessary.
Study, consider, train, examine, observe. The list goes on. This book is a practical guide to life, whether you are in the military or a business person or just an average joe looking to get a handle on life.
I enjoy the difference between the books, as Sun Tzu really focused on the fact that it is better not to fight than to be involved in a conflict, while Miyamoto was the complete opposite, indicating that you must do whatever you can to throw your opponent off balance, onto their weak hand, blind them, use every advantage you know to utterly remove them from the equation. If you can accept this, you'll never fear a thousand fights. However, one similarity between the two is Sun Tzu believed that if you do have to fight in any point of your life, then you have to do it to win, and these are the various strategies, often brutal, that will get you that result, and in order to do that you must know who your enemy is.
Do I believe in what Miyamoto believes in fully, no, not everything, I am more of a Sun Tzu enthusiast, however, I will admit some of the things he did talk about was interesting to read and trying to fully understand his point of view.
7 down, 33 to go.
challenging
informative
slow-paced
well… at least i have an idea of what to do in a swordfight
Excellent
Excellent entry into the philosophy of the way of the sword. Gives you the guide posts to shape your perception
Excellent entry into the philosophy of the way of the sword. Gives you the guide posts to shape your perception