“Do nothing which is of no use.” – Miyamoto Musashi
While cleaning off my bookshelves, I came across a book I hadn’t read in years: Miyamoto Musashi’s Book of Five Rings. I bought it back when I studied martial arts in the mid-80s.
At the time, the Book of Five Rings was a big hit in the corporate world. Musashi’s teachings proved useful in the art of kenjitsu (the sword) and in the business world as well. Many CEOs studied his writings on tactics meant for warfare, applying them to the boardroom.
Some people saw this as insight to the Japanese mindset. They studied Musashi in an attempt to understand what made the Japanese such successful businessmen.
How could I apply Musashi’s lessons to writing?
Musashi stresses throughout his book that reading about how to do something isn’t enough. Study combined with practical application is the only way to improve skills.
You could read all the content in the world on how to write and promote yourself as a writer, but unless you actively put this knowledge into practice, you’ll get nowhere.
Musashi breaks down his lessons into five sections he calls books: Ground, Water, Fire, Wind, and Void. Each of these elements represents the various aspects of battle. I want to explore each of these five elements to see how they relate to writing.
Here’s a taste of what’s to come:
Ground: Building your foundation
You have to start somewhere, right? What skills do you need to write well? What can you do to build up the necessary aspects in yourself that you need to make it in the writing business?
Water: Adaptability
Not everything goes as planned. Floods happen, dry spells starve your business (or your creativity.) The ebb and flow of tides occurs regularly. How do you adapt to the obstacles that arise?
Fire: Taking Action
Timing is everything, and you need to know when to take action and when to step back. Do you let someone else dictate how the game is played, or do you take command of the rules? What fires your passion and helps you spread it across the world?
Wind: Style
Being unique in the face of millions of others around you is difficult. What’s your own personal style? Have you found it yet, or are you still searching? Do the winds blow you where they will, or do use them and set sail?
The Void: Attitude
How do you pull together all the elements and make them work for you to achieve your goals and ultimately, success?
Much like martial arts, writing is more than a job or a hobby; it’s a lifestyle. If you want to be successful in your writing endeavors, you have to live, breathe, and eat words. You can’t sit back on the sidelines and hope to be noticed.
If your words stay as thoughts in your head, how is the world going to know how great you are?
Welcome to my writing dojo.
I made sure to *bow* before I entered, Sensei.
It’s interesting how the philosophies of martial arts can be applied to just about everything. I just finished an article on my blog where I compare learning martial arts to teaching yourself to become a creative person.
The Art of War by Sun Tzu is another great book where you can apply the art of warfare to business.
I look forward to the posts . . .
*hands the broom he was just using to sweep the dojo floor to John and returns the bow*
It is interesting. The training I had changed my life and after 15 years it still affects how I think and the way I do things. That’s one thing I enjoy about the Japanese culture, everything is intertwined with life. Whether it’s a tea ceremony, tying on a belt, or staring at the clouds, it all has meaning and teaches a lesson. Have you studied at all? And if so, what style?
Give us a link to your post here, I’m sure everyone else would like to read it too.
I haven’t read The Art of War, although I have heard of it. I’ll put it on my “to read” list.
Thank you, Sensei. Looking forward to the following five posts.
Ahhh…now there’s a respectable title. Sensei. Yes, I like the sound of that very much.
Thanks Michelle, I’m looking forward to them too.
Hey Harry. My post is at:
http://eventurebiz.com/blog/8-ways-to-train-yourself-to-be-creative/
Feel free to comment there. I’m still working on the teachings of our favorite comment-king, James.
I studied a few styles of Kung Fu (wing chung, san soo, and hung gar) and Aiki Jujitsu. We had a couple trainers specialized in each. I studied for around 5 years and we focused a lot on the teachings of Bruce Lee. My favorite weapons were the sword and bamboo sticks. It is true, those teachings will never leave me and I still think about them from time-to-time.
Great post, thanks for the link. Seems like we’re all on a martial arts kick this week, huh?
I studied Okinawan Goju Ryu for 10 years. Competed nationally and always placed in the top four in my class. Kata (pre-choreographed forms) was always my favorite and I got in to kumite (fighting) during the last year or so of competition.
Bruce rules, he was so talented and intelligent, it makes me wonder what he’d be doing now if he were still alive.
My favorite weapons were the Bo and sai. I would have loved to have learned how to use a sword too, but it wasn’t in my school’s repertoire. Kamas (miniature scythe) and tonfas (like police batons) were popular for us, but I never cared for them.
One style I’ve always wanted to learn is Aikido – although I’m not crazy about all the take-downs.
I tried finding a school out here, but none of them could meet my standards. They’re far too commercial. I did go to one, I forget the name, but they have the bonsai tree for a logo? Anyway, it looked good on the surface, until I got into one of the classes. Their “one on one” training consisted of the instructor showing me a couple of moves and then leaving me to “practice” in front of the mirror for the duration of my lesson. Not good.
Have you found any good schools out here?
LOL … left you to “practice.” That got me to laugh, sorry, at your expense!
No, I haven’t been in the arts for awhile so I don’t know any good places, sorry.
Oh, that’s okay, I laughed at it too – but they didn’t find it funny when I told them why I wanted to cancel my contract with them.
@ John – That’s a good post, honestly. And because you brought it up in interesting conversation and provided a link , you got a reader.
Everyone, go read John’s post. Seriously. And comment, too.
Ha! Looks like you beat me to the punch. I’d been thinking about writing a series of entries based on the Book of Five Rings as well. Fortunately, my subject is a bit different, so I may still do it later on.
@Joshua: HA right back atcha! Beating everyone else to the punch is exactly what I’ve been trying to do these days. Guess it’s working.
That’s okay, Musashi’s book applies to a lot of different topics. Let me know when you get your series started.