I have recently picked up 'The Book of Five Rings' by Miyamoto Musashi again. (My particular version was translated by Victor Harris.) While reading the first part of the book, The Ground Book, and suddenly had an epiphany about what Musashi describes as the way.
I have always kind of glamorized 'the way' in my mind as something beyond mere mortals, but now I suddenly have an idea about it.
I think the way might be your absolute willingness to a path. To do everything possible for that way. In other words what you put above all.
There are a couple of texts in the ground book that give me this idea.
"There are various Ways. There is the Way of salvation by the law of
Buddha, the Way of Confucius governing the Way of learning, the Way of
healing as a doctor, as a poet teaching the Way of Waka, tea, archery, and
many arts and skills. Each man practices as he feels inclined. It is said the
warrior's is the twofold Way of pen and sword, and he should have a taste
for both Ways."
This gave me the idea of various ways, and each would be the devotion of everything to that particular way.
"Straight un-knotted timber of good appearance is used for the revealed
pillars, straight timber with small defects is used for the inner pillars.
Timbers of the finest appearance, even if a little weak, is used for the
thresholds, lintels, doors, and sliding doors, and so on. Good strong timber,
though it be gnarled and knotted, can always be used discreetly in
construction. Timber which is weak or knotted throughout should be used
as scaffolding, and later for firewood."
Some back ground information. This is titled in the part, Comparing the way of the carpenter to strategy. While 'strategy' is the way of the warrior that Musashi follows. (Not a literal meaning of strategy, but not not strategy as well) This part gave me the impression of something I already knew, everything has a use and its place. I hope this contributes to the understanding of using everything possible for your way.
"Know the smallest things and the biggest things, the
shallowest things and the deepest things"
Once again, know everything in pursuit and accomplishment of your way. Completely control without discrimination.
Next is just general comments on martial arts, not something as philosophical. However as a martial artist myself I can give some comments on how it contributed to my view of the way.
The main thing I would like to mention is his dual wielding style. Musashi reasons that with two hands on a sword it is difficult to move it right and left. He also gives a lot of other reasoning for his dual wielding way. To me it seems that he is doing everything he can for practical use in battle.
"In short, the Way of the Ichi school
is the spirit of winning, whatever the weapon and whatever its size."
Ichi school is Musashi's school, and I think the implications are obvious.
"The Way of the warrior does not include other Ways, such as
Confucianism, Buddhism, certain traditions, artistic accomplishments and
dancing. But even though these are not part of the Way, if you know the
Way broadly you will see it in everything. Men must polish their particular
Way."
I think this shows something Musashi states many times. "Have one thing, know a thousand things." It shows that your devotion to your way is apparent in other things, as well as other things being in your way. As if learning from imitating others.
That's about it, please tell me what you think about my ideas. This is my first time making a discussion this long, and I might not have formatted it in a good way.
Anyway,
Cheers.