Writer’s Bushido, Day 1
“Taking the Advantage in Combat” from Miyamoto Musashi
“Practice is the only way that you will ever come to understand what the Way of the warrior is about. Constant striving for perfection of the self through a chosen art is the only path to enlightenment. Words can only bring you to the foot of the path, and to attain mastery and perfection you must constantly strive to better yourself through an understanding of your chosen way.” — Miyamoto Musashi, The Book of Five Rings
Musashi wants us to put work into whatever field we are in. Practice means exactly what it sounds like: strive to improve. For a writer, this means writing, but not writing just whatever and however you like. When Musashi says “practice” he means take an intentional, improvement-oriented approach to what you’re doing. Focus on using the best techniques you know and honing them towards greater mastery.
Thus the next sentence. It is not accidental when a writer like Musashi connects the thoughts of “constant striving for perfection” with enlightenment. Constant striving…
