What Miyamoto Musashi’s Journey teaches us
5 Life lessons & quotes from Vagabond
“A precipitous slope, a narrow river width, a fast and violent flow.
Due to the terrain and the external influence, the state of the water is perfectly decided.
And yet, water obeys only itself.
Water is only water.
Thoroughly water.
Absolutely free.”
-Miyamoto Musashi
Vagabond is a legendary work of art. It is the kind of manga that every manga enthusiast should try at least once in their life.
The story at the surface level is extraordinarily simple, it’s about the life of a Ronin, and how his perception of life changed overtime.
Indeed, not much complexity appears at the surface level, but when you fully delve into the context, you’ll uncover reserves of holistic wisdom, what is and what’s not the true meaning of strength?
Well then, let’s talk a little bit about it and see a few of the simple yet extraordinarily meaningful lessons that the journey of the protagonist, “Miyamoto Musashi” teaches us.
1 - “Preoccupied with a single leaf... you won't see the tree.
Preoccupied with a single tree... you'll miss the entire forest. Don't be preoccupied with a single spot.
See everything in its entirety... effortlessly.
That is what it means to truly "see.”
Even at first glance, one can tell the vast amount of wisdom and philosophy seeping out of this quote, and yet, there are still so many nuances, so many interpretations, just so many ways you can articulate the meaning behind this quote.
What it teaches us is not to be so complacent or arrogant that you lose sight of what’s around you. Obsession and ego will only dull your perception of reality… too much attention on one thing and you’ll lose touch with what’s beyond that.
Which is why, one shouldn’t let themself be confined by one thing. True realizations aren’t one dimensional.
One must see things as they are, because as Takuan said, “That is what it means… to truly See.”
2 - “Invincible… it’s merely a word. It’s all about Your Self.”
Much of Miyamoto’s early life was spent trying to prove that he was strong, that he had it in him to be ‘Unrivaled under the Heavens.’
So, when he was told that “Invincible” is merely a word, his head went into a loop and suddenly, so many things became uncertain. Be that as it may, he kept on with life and continued his pursuit of strength.
It was only after he had become strong enough to be called Invincible that he finally realized the meaning behind the phrase, “Invincible… it’s merely a word.”
3 - “There is no light… for those who do not know the darkness… Live on and endure the shadows.”
At this point, Takezo was still a social outcast, he was all alone, the only thing he latched onto was the pursuit of strength, and that’s why, after getting caught, he insisted that he should be killed right away instead of having to experience all that humiliation.
However, Takuan laid down the foundation of another start, for Takezo to embrace his past and live on, because it is only after one has known darkness that one can truly see light.
4 - “Pray not for the future. Rely not on the future or the past. Just stay in the Now.”
The idea of simply being present in the “moment,” is so abundant in philosophy and yet not many people can do that. Not many people can stay present in the now.
This in itself is subduing because if you keep relying on the past or the future, there will never truly be a “now”.
5 - “All Truly Strong People Are Kind.”
“Strength” is not a very straightforward term, but what Takuan tells us is that truly Strong people are Kind.
Which was beautifully portrayed through Miyamoto Musashi’s journey. How he eventually got truly strong and in turn became genuinely kind.
Indeed, if there really is such a thing as “True Strength,” it can’t subsist without true kindness.
These were a few of many simple yet profound realizations that one can attain from this beautiful work of art.
Vagabond is indeed a brilliant gem.
See you soon folks!
All the best from Animechu
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