0243 Capitolino Museum, Michaelangelo statue of Marcus Aurelias, Rome, Italy (Photo credit: rosemarydukelow)
I have been doing a lot of soul-searching lately. Reading the works of philosophers has reinforced some of my beliefs and also helped me address some of the areas I found wanting. I have added some excerpts here. I hope you also find it useful.
21 Rules to Live Your Life – Dokkodo
‘Dokkodo’ is a small book written by Miyamoto Musashi in 1645. He was a famous Japanese swordsman, believed to have been one of the most skilled swordsmen in history. The contains some very and relevant rules that should apply even 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 practice with weapons beyond what is useful-After the latest massacre in the USA, this is apt.
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
21. Never stray from the Way
I thought I should add this too from my favourite philosopher;
Men exist for the sake of one another. Never let the future disturb you. You will meet it, if you have to, with the same weapons of reason which today arm you against the present.
When you arise in the morning, think of what a precious privilege it is to be alive – to breathe, to think, to enjoy, to love-Marcus Aurelias
lifesocommon 
I was startled by 3, 5 and 12… a lot to think about. Funny how blogs usually coincide with soul-searching…
Soul searching has got to be done. Not easy though.
Usually painful. And rewarding.
I think some of the opinions applied to a world when we didn’t have the type of one world we do now. I also think going by partial feeling is dangerous. As regards to 5. it maybe a call to people to stop being led by greed. Avarice, desire, want could all have been used interchangeably. Moreover, this was written in ancient Japanese. Well as for number 12…I wont even go there. But then again everything could be in a state of flux