Revisited one of my favorite books, Takuan Soho's "Unfettered Mind." Takuan was a monk, calligrapher, gardner, tea master, and poet. Born in Japan in 1573, served as counsel to many of the Samurai of the day. My all time favorite quote comes from this book. I apply it to ultrarunning, being on the trails, whatever:
"Be like water flowing over the rocks--the water flows constantly, not stopping to consider its path around the next stone."
Takaun wrote several instructive letters to swordsmen of his day on strategy and focus. A few highlights:
"I do not fight for gain or loss, am not concerned with strength or weakness, and neither advance a step nor retreat a step. The enemy does not see me. I do not see the enemy. Penetrating to a place where heaven and Earth have not yet divided, I quickly and necessarily gain effect.
The accomplished man uses the sword but does not kill others--when confronted with his principle-they cower down. He uses the sword and gives life: while he deals with his opponent with a sword, he leaves everything to the movement of the other man, and he is able to observe him just as he pleases. "
Friday, August 26, 2005
Takuan Soho
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2 comments:
Hey, just letting you know I've signed up and doing one to, though I haven't done anything worth reading yet. Good stuff so far, I like your idea about psychogeographic maps. As for Soho, he's next up in my daily buddhist reading rotation. Keep up the training, man, you're doing better than me.
thanks, snyd. hope to read more on yours. it's not easy to keep this up, time constraints and all. hope all is well with you guys.
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