“Concerning the Way—Confucianists, Buddhists, tea masters, masters of ceremonial practices, Noh dramatists, and such—none of these are within the Way of the Warrior. Even though their Ways are not ours, if you know the Way broadly, not one of them will be misunderstood. It is essential that each person polish his own Way well.”
Miyamoto Musashi | The Book of Five Rings
The Way is the path to mastery. The path to mastery is the same for all things, even if the path is different.
The Way of the warrior is the same way of the artist, the religious leader, the parent, and the philosopher–but different.
All wanderers who walk the path walk the same path, but different.
This is why Musashi said, “Once you know the way broadly, you will see it in all things.”
The pursuit of mastery, the pursuit of living a fulfilled life, is the same path for all wanderers, but different.
To polish your way is to pursue mastery as a lifestyle; it is the only lifestyle capable of providing fulfillment.
Pleasure cannot provide fulfillment.
The pursuit of fulfillment is heaven.
The pursuit of pleasure is Hell.
