A week before he died, Musashi wrote the Dokkōdō, or The Way of Walking Alone.

It consisted of 21 rules and provided a roadmap to live life by.

The rules are strict and harsh, but honest and powerful.

1. Accept everything just the way it is.

For generations, men have been known for dominance and control.

However, not everything can be controlled.

Flexibility is a key aspect in an even-tempered man.

2. Do not seek pleasure for its own sake.

The search for pleasure is a dangerous adventure.

Along the way, many men have gotten lost in pleasure.

Alcohol
Drugs
Sex

Go into pleasure with you mind aware

Because on the other side of pleasure is pain.

3. Do not, under any circumstances, depend on a partial feeling.

Go into everything whole-heartedly and non-apologetic.

Mindless actions are typically stupid ones.

Mindless experiences are typically forgettable ones.

4. Think lightly of yourself and deeply of the world.

Ego blinds and ego destroys.

Go into any experience humble and respectful of your fellow man.