Strategy – Parts Per Billion

The Book of Five Rings – The Fire Book

Miyamoto Musashi’s ‘The Fire Book’ from the Book of Five Rings focuses on detailed one-to-one combat strategies and warfare tactics. But, it is not limited to enemy warfare and combat. The Fire Book dives deep into the true grit, the consistency and the perseverance required to fight and win the greatest battle – the battle of life, the battle of survival.

Miyamoto Musashi’s philosophy for 21^st century

Miyamoto-san in his ‘The Fire Book’ amongst the Book of Five Rings explains in detail about combat and war tactics. We already saw how he explained the importance of fundamentals, importance of managing skills and resources in the Ground Book; the importance of habits, behaviors, small steps and fluidity in the Water Book. The Fire Book explained hereafter is about the fierce attitude of living a life full of challenges. Although, initial reading gives the impression of clear fighting instructions but do not get fooled by the limited words/ sentence choices of Miyamoto Musashi. As he has already explained in the previous books, the reader has to see greater ways in the limited knowledge Miyamoto-san has presented in these books.

As the name goes, it is about keeping that fire of fierceness in you alive until you win your fight. On surface, it may seem like a set of clear instructions to adopt and implement combat and war strategies but it is important to understand that this is the wisdom to win the battle of life, battle of survival which the ultimate fight for every person.

“By using only their fingertips, they only know the benefit of three of the five inches of the wrist.”

Miyamoto-san make the readers aware that how some people think that they can achieve everything when they know some set of the techniques. He wants readers to appreciate the vast expanse and extents of the true wisdom. He expects everyone to not cling to their favorite techniques only. Miyamoto-san thus highlights the fact that one should strive to understand and imbibe anything and everything that is there to know in order to perfect the art of survival. This is only possible when one has urge to deep dive into the things happening around them. Miyamoto-san in some sense, abhors the superficiality of learning process and knowledge involved in it.

“In my strategy, the training for killing enemies is by way of many contests, fighting for survival, discovering the meaning of life, learning the Way of the sword, judging the strength of attacks and understanding the Way of the “edge and the ridge” of the sword.”

There is no single and only way to your goal. Going into the depths of the techniques gives the real advantage over the enemy and also in your own development.

“You cannot profit from small techniques particularly when full armor is worn.”

When you are at some disadvantage, only one technique won’t help. You need to have multiple skill set to confirm your victory.

“Any man who wants to master the essence of my strategy must research this diligently, training morning and evening. Thus, can he polish his skill, become free from self, and realize extraordinary ability. “

Becoming ‘free from self’ actually refers to overcoming the physical limitations one has as a person, as a human being.

Then one by one Miyamoto dives deep into each and every combat technique and explains wherever required. As already seen in his previous books the Ground Book, the Water Book, Miyamoto-san always instructs readers to study and explore the wisdom presented on their own level and words will fail to explain the intricacies of the wisdom.

Depending on the Place

“Stand in the sun; that is, take up an attitude with the sun behind you. If the situation does not allow this, you must try to keep the sun on your right side. In buildings, you must stand with the entrance behind you or to your right. Make sure that you rear us unobstructed and that there is free space on your left, your right side being occupied with your side attitude. At night, if the enemy can be seen, keep the fire behind you and the entrance to your right and otherwise take up your attitude as above. You must look down on the enemy, and take up you attitude on slightly higher places.“

For what is written here, the idea is to clear the corners while entering any hostile environment. Taking the light source behind gives clear advantage of not getting overwhelmed by the intense light thus immediately giving you an edge over the enemy’s attack. It will be difficult for the enemy to understand your strokes if he is already overwhelmed by the intense light behind you. Furthermore, keeping the dominant side – right side ready for attack with space on the left will help to execute clean cut, clean attack. Keeping entrance to the right will help to counter the surprise attacks. Remaining on the top means always try to have as many as possible updates about the enemy moves. Top location will also help to plan surprise attack on the enemy.

“When the fight comes, always endeavor to chase the enemy around you left side. Chase him towards awkward places and try to keep him with his back to awkward places.”

Keeping enemy on the left will help to strike with dominant hand effectively. Miyamoto-san very smartly instructs to get the enemy in awkward corners where his attacks, blows will definitely fail thereby crushing his confidence.

“In houses chase the enemy into the thresholds, lintels, doors, verandas, pillars and so on, again not letting him see his situation.“

Three Methods to Forestall the Enemy – 1) Ken No Sen 2) Tai No Sen 3) Tai Tai No Sen

Miyamoto-san very clearly establishes that when you will be in a combat there are only three possibilities. Either you will strike first or your enemy will strike first or you both will strike simultaneously. There is no other possibility. The idea is to forestall – to intentionally slow down and confuse enemy so that he can be dealt with easily. Miyamoto-san focuses on these ideas because one can win quickly by taking the lead. It’s like the first mover’s advantage.

Ken No Sen means to set the enemy up.

When you attack the enemy first, make sure that you have one more intent to strike next- which is called as ‘reserved spirit’ by Miyamoto-san. Your first strike will be powerful but the next reserved strike will overwhelm your enemy, thereby crushing his confidence.
Or strike continuously to crush the enemy
Or strike with a strong intent for once

The idea is to not let the enemy think of attacking you next, to overwhelm him

Tai No Sen means to wait for the initiative i.e., to let the enemy attack first.

When enemy attacks first, let him think that you are weak. Let him know that you don’t want to pursue this fight. When he becomes sure of such attitude from you then strike strongly on the moment the enemy relaxes
Or when he attacks at first, counter it with even more strength thereby disturbing his rhythm and crushing his main planned intentions

Tai Tai No Sen means to accompany him and forestall him

When enemy instantly starts attacking don’t stall in thinking the right attack; just attack strongly and then look out for the weak spot to attack
Or if enemy is equivalent to you then let go with the flow. Accompany him to understand his movements, timings – float with him. When the rhythm is set then attack him strongly.

The intention to specially focus on these techniques is because, Miyamoto-san thinks that once you forestall the enemy it instantly crushes his spirit thereby making victory quick and possible.

To Hold Down a Pillow

This means not allowing enemy’s head to rise.

Miyamoto-san establishes that it is bad for you if the enemy leads you, controls your moves. In order to win you must always lead on either side. On one side, you will lead your people to correct moves and on the other side you will lead the enemy by promoting his mistakes.

“The important thing in strategy is to suppress the enemy’s useful actions but allow his useless actions.“

There is one more beautiful line where Miyamoto-san plays the game of words to convey his message to the students.

“The spirit is to check his attack at the syllable “at…,” when he jumps check his jump at the syllable “ju…” and check his cut at “cu…”“

Simply meaning that if you see something wrong happening with you, make sure that you do something before it comes to its fruition, its completion. Try to predict things and get ready to respond at the moment they happen in a combat.

Crossing at a Ford

Miyamoto-san explicitly wants to give a life lesson here. He used the analogy of the vast sea and one’s journey through it. Even though you have your friends at harbor, even though you are aware of the travel routes, condition of your ship, you should go out to explore the expanses of the sea. The conditions will not be favorable sometimes but you should try to defeat the vastness of the sea to achieve that which nobody has achieved yet.

The vast sea can be easily crossed by crossing area where it narrows the area called “a strait”, “a ford”. “The ford” is the weakest, narrow part of the vast sea.

Similarly, when in combat against a far superior and stronger enemy, don’t focus on his capabilities rather focus on your capabilities and try to cross at his weak point by using your strengths.

“If you succeed in crossing at the best place, you may take your ease. To cross at ford means to attack the enemy’s weak point and to put yourself in an advantageous position.“

To Know the Times

The idea is to understand the mentality, the nature, the habits or the way of thinking of the enemy and his people. When you will understand how the enemy involuntarily behaves, responds, then it becomes very easy for you to gain the advantage of the predictability.

Even in duels Miyamoto-san urges to identify the fighting style of the opponent during the act of forestalling. Once his school of style is known, you can easily take over on his weaknesses. The nature or the habits of the enemy are the involuntary clue that even the enemy himself cannot control and they are the mirrors of his intentions, so the idea is to understand his intentions, find weak spots in them and attack there.

“If you are thoroughly conversant with strategy, you will recognize the enemy’s intentions and thus have many opportunities to win.”

To Tread Down the Sword

“The spirit is to attack quickly while the enemy is still shooting with bows and guns.”

Miyamoto-san very cleverly gives a warfare strategy here. When the opponent first attacks with the bows and arrows or with the guns and cannons, you should not waste your time in drawing the arrows or filling the barrels with gun powder to counterattack. Instead, you should react instantly treading down i.e., use your brute force to avoid your confidence from going down. If you waste your time in drawing the arrows and filing the barrels, most of the damage would already weaken you in the process. Treading down means using the swift reacting forces, you have to not let enemy come up with second attack. If he is unable to come up with second attack then definitely, he will count his first successful attack only as a lucky one and will start doubting himself already.

“You must achieve the spirit of not allowing the enemy to attack the second time this is the spirit of forestalling in every sense once at the enemy you should not aspire just to strike him but to cling after the attack.”

To Know “Collapse”

“Everything can collapse – houses bodies and enemies collapse when their rhythm becomes deranged.”

The idea is to spot the chaos among the enemy and let that chaos increase further to defeat him without investing many resources and efforts.

“Fix your eye on the enemy’s collapse and chase him attacking so that you do not let him recover.”

To Become the Enemy

Becoming the enemy is not only about thinking the way enemy thinks. Miyamoto-san wants the students to understand that if you see yourself as something you become that thing. So even if the enemy is practically strong and if you let yourself convince that you cannot defeat him then, surely you won’t be able to defeat him.

So, it is about your mindset to defeat the enemy.

“He who is shut inside is a peasant, he enters to arrest is a hawk.”

It is also one way to say that any type of confidence is good confidence in modern and more relevant sense.

“In large-scale strategy, people are always under the impression that the enemy is strong so tend to become cautious. But if you have good soldiers, and if you understand the principles of strategy, and if you know how to beat the enemy, there is nothing to worry about.”

Becoming the enemy is about considering the whole world against ourselves and then using all that you have to win over the world. It is a strong personal advice from Miyamoto-san.

“If you think here is a master of the way who knows the principles of strategy then you will surely lose.”

To Release Four Hands

“To release 4 hands is used when you and the enemy are contending with the same spirit and the issue cannot be decided abandon the spirit and win through an alternative resource.”

When you realize that the enemy you are fighting is exactly you or equivalent of you then think out of the box. Do things which you won’t do normally. Such abnormal and creative ways of attacks will break the rhythm of your equivalent enemy.

“Immediately throw away the spirit and win with the technique the enemy does not expect.”

So, “releasing four hands” is the indication to create some unfair advantage through unconventional practices.

“We must defeat the enemy by changing our mind and applying a suitable technique according to his condition.”

To Move the Shade

“When you cannot see the enemy’s position, indicate that you are about to attack strongly to discover his resources. It is easy then to defeat him with a different method once you see his resources.”

This is one cunning and smart advice by Miyamoto-san. When you are unable to gauge the moves of the enemy or the enemy himself doesn’t want to leave any traces, you should create some fake opportunities of victory for the enemy so that he will expose all his capabilities to you. Once he is lured into such fake victories then you can gauge the strategies and plan a worthy surprise counterattack secretly.

To Hold Down a Shadow

“When the enemy embarks on an attack, if you make a show of strongly suppressing his technique, he will change his mind. Then altering your spirit, defeat him by forestalling him with a Void spirit.“

The idea is to embarrass the enemy if you are going for a strong counterattack. This saves you resources in next attack because the enemy would never come out to counterattack because of the embarrassment.

To Pass On

Miyamoto-san makes a very smart observation on some involuntary human habits like sleepiness, yawning. These can be passed on human to human. Even today’s neuroscience agrees that these are the habits which are easy to pass on because of the herd mentality, group behavior of humans.

Miyamoto-san advises as follows:

“Make a show of complete calmness and the enemy will be taken by this and will become relaxed when you see that this. Has been passed on you can bring about the enemies defeat by attacking strongly with a Void spirit.“

The idea is to pass on your careless, weak attitude on the surface to your enemy and once he is relaxed the bring out you real fierce attacking inner spirit to defeat him.

To Cause the Loss of Balance

“Without allowing him space for breath to recover from the fluctuation of spirit you must grasp the opportunity to win.”

In simple words, not giving an opportunity to recover the enemy from last attack. The enemy can be made to lose his balance by bringing in danger, creating difficulties and bringing in the surprise. Miyamoto-san speaks here very clearly as an experienced and seasoned teacher.

To Frighten

“Fright often occurs, caused by the unexpected.”

Miyamoto-san knows very well about the basic human mentality. We don’t like uncomfortable situations. The enemy’s confidence, spirit can be easily crushed by making him uncomfortable, by scaring him. Scary, unnerving, unsettling and panicky battle cries/ battle drums/ battle horns are one great example of that.

To Soak In

“When you have come to grips and are striving together with the enemy and you realize that you cannot advance you soak in and become one with the enemy.“

It is simply remaining in touch with the enemy to understand his moves. The moment you draw apart from your enemy, you will lose the advantage of the predictability.

To Injure the Corners

“It is difficult to move strong things by pushing directly so you should injure the corners.”

When the enemy is big in size and strength, the best way to start is to injure his corners as in his extended and weak parts. Once you bring down his morale then, even the big things will collapse down.

“In large-scale strategy it is beneficial to strike at the corners of the enemy’s force”

In the same sense if the opponent has strong army, start attacks from the most beneficial and weak spots, facing the initial defeats from such “corners” can bring down the spirit of the remaining strong forces.

To Throw in Confusion

“Victory is certain when the enemy is caught up in a rhythm which confuses his spirit“

Creating confusion is all about not letting enemy think that he has understood you. When he will be confused about your intentions, he will be less focused and then it will be easy to take him down. Miyamoto-san smartly establishes this idea for both one on one combat and a large-scale war.

“Feint a trust or cut or make the enemy think you are going to close with him and when he is confused you can easily win.“

The Three Shouts

Earlier Miyamoto-san suggested to scare the enemy with voices. He again highlights how voice can be incorporated into the fights to create rhythm. He divides the shouts in three seemingly obvious but smart by implementations as shouts before, during and after.

“The voice shows energy“

The attitude you want to present to the enemy can be easily demonstrated to the enemy simply just by your shouts instead of deploying valuable assets and resources into the battle or fights.

Shouting before the fight creates the rhythm, shouting during the battle in low pitch projects the effectiveness of our attack and the shouting at the end of the war can build instant morale boost and an escalating defeat of the enemy due to downgrading spirit.

To Mingle

Mingling is all about sticking and advancing into the enemy forces. If you are continuously stuck with the enemy forces and see that they are defeated at certain position then you attack their remaining sides with same strength thereby making space to advance through them. Once you see crushing at a location you build upon that to advance ahead.

“What is meant by mingling if the spirit of advancing and becoming engaged with the enemy and not withdrawing even one step.“

To Crush

Crushing is all about not giving even single opportunity to the enemy to recover from the last attack. When you sense his ultimate weakness getting exposed then crushing will ensure the last blow to get the victory in the battle.

“When we see that enemy has few men or if he has many men but his spirit is weak and disordered, we knock the hat over his eyes crushing him utterly. If we crush lightly, he may recover.”

The Mountain-Sea Change

“The mountain sea spirit means that it is bad to repeat the same thing several times when fighting the enemy there may be not hell but to do something twice but do not try it a third time.”

Miyamoto-san knows that every person, every fighter has preferences, comfortable, favorite moves. Playing such moves again and again can make the person predictable thereby vulnerable. He thus wants the warrior to demonstrate the spectrum of moves, moves of contradictions to effectively confuse the enemy.

“If the enemy thinks of mountains attack like the sea and if he thinks of a sea attack like the mountains.”

To Penetrate the Depths

“If his spirit is not extinguished, he may be beaten superficially yet undefeated in spirit deeps inside.“

Miyamoto-san very well knows the psychology of revenge and coming back with more preparedness to avenge the last fight. Thus, he wants the warrior to not only physically defeat the enemy but also to defeat them in their minds.

“Penetrating the depths means penetrating with the long sword penetrating with the body and penetrating with the spirit.”

This shows how Miyamoto-san is serious about the mindset of warrior. He knows that you can easily defeat an enemy physically but if he is not defeated in his mind then surely, he will rise up again with possibly stronger counterattack.

“If the enemy remains spirited it is difficult to crush him.“

To Renew

““To renew” applies when we are fighting with the enemy and entangled spirit arises where there is no possible resolution, we must abandon our efforts, think of the situation in a fresh spirit then win the new rhythm.”

A great teacher with strongest techniques knows that there will be chances when his pupils may stand against each other. There may be chances when exactly same great techniques will be presented in front of each other. The great and smart teacher knows that such tie-making conditions will require new ways, new perspectives of thinking.

In simple words, when one feels stuck in repetition, the best way to solve such problems is to start from something new, unconventional and out of the box ideas.

This also shows how Miyamoto-san was open to accepting the idea that even his fool-proof, seasoned techniques will sometimes be challenged with equally potent different techniques. Thus, he demands creative thinking while solving such issues which is really smart for the times and personality he was.

Rat’s Head, Ox’s Neck

This is about leveraging the small details to bigger advantages in warfare. History has many examples where even a seemingly small thing changes the bigger course of the warfare, battles. Miyamoto-san here, similarly expects a warrior, a strategist to think with the ability of Rat to see at small levels and use that detail to strike back with the power of the Ox’s neck. One has to appreciate how Miyaomoto-san has distilled small-small details of everyday observations into his nectar of war strategies.

“Whenever we have become preoccupied with small detail, we must suddenly change into a large spirit, interchanging large with small.“

The Commander Knows the Troops

“Using the wisdom of strategy, think of the enemy as your own troops.“

Miyamoto-san explains this idea in very few words, because he wants this idea to be understood only by those people who actually have grasped the thought process behind his Way of Strategy. Miyamoto-san implies here that if you understand the troops of the enemies well, then you can direct those troops in your ways thereby saving your resources. The various ideas explained before in the Fire Book relate to the human tendencies, psyche, group dynamics, group behavior. Using this knowledge if one becomes successful in understanding the mindset of his enemy troops, then is is impossible to defeat him.

To Let Go the Hilt

“There is the spirit of winning without a sword. There is also the spirit of holding the long sword but not winning.“

Hilt means the handle – the grip of the weapon. Here again Miyamoto-san is limiting his words but the message to be conveyed is precise. He implies that having the greatest weapon in your hands does not guarantee absolute victory. You can win the fight without the weapon too. It is all about the mindset. If you have that mindset of the fierceness of the fire in your fights then, it is nearly impossible to defeat you. Don’t become too much attached to your lavish, expensive, sophisticated equipment and tools. Understand that you can be easily defeated in exceptions when you won’t have these tools. So, accept that in order to win – sometimes you may have to let go of your priced possessions. It should be always you deciding the fate of your battles and not the tools, weapons that you use to win those battles. Detachments from such tools will bring out the real fighter within you.

The Body of a Rock

The body of rock is implied to the feeling of not getting disturbed by what is happening around you. This mindset will not only defeat one on one enemy but will also build the attitude of fierce fire when the warrior will face thousands of enemies alone. Again, it is all about mindset.

Conclusion

Miyamoto-san in the Fire Book gives almost 27 techniques to win in a one-to-one combat, in a battle or in a long-term, large scale warfare. The consistencies of these techniques and ideas with some real-world examples and practical advises show the true scholar of Miyamoto-san.

Creating breathing space to fight aggressively, rising on the top locations in the battle places, to engulf the enemy even from small advantages, to have the ability to spread swiftly and influence immediately, to have the ability to begin again even from a small spark or embers, to remain unpredictable, to remain attached to the enemy are the tendencies of the fire. These minute behaviors of the fire are closely studied and imbibed into the real life by Miyamoto Musashi, they are the key to the Fire Book.

You must understand why this section is called the Fire Book. Obviously as the name goes the techniques are built around the behavior of the Fire. The important thing is that everyone would have seen a fire many times in their lives but it is the observant and thoughtful mind of the warrior like Miyamoto-san who extracted the wisdom of Combat and warfare from the Fire. Please bear in mind that these tactics are still relevant in modern warfare and battle strategies.

“Of course, men who study in this way thing that they are training the body and spirit, but it is an obstacle to true Way, and its bad influence remains forever. Thus, the true way of strategy is becoming decadent and dying out.“

Thus, the Fire Book is about the grit, the perseverance in fighting and winning the greatest battle – the battle of life, the battle of survival.

Links for further reading:

The Book of Five Rings – The Water Book

Miyamoto Musashi’s Book of Water from the Book of Five Rings is about the ideas of form-ability, fluidity of water. The way we live and control our lives, the decisions we make, the actions we do are solely based on the behaviors and the routines we follow. It is really an understatement to call this book as a Guide for Sword-Fighters.

Miyamoto Musashi’s philosophy for 21^st century

Ancient combat strategies for the modern competitions

After understanding the Ground Book which builds the foundation of the Book of Five Rings by Miyamoto Musashi, we will deep dive into the next book called the Water Book. The general idea is to understand how water behaves, how it tries to bring in consistency throughout, how it tries to level even in disturbances, how a drop to drop creates an oceanic impact, how it flows and remains unobstructed of the challenges. The Water Book is about the the spirit of the warrior, the attitude, the way of looking at things and handling them, making decisions about them.

“The principle of strategy is to have one thing, to know ten thousand things.“

In short, know the ocean from single drop. Miyamoto Musashi wants to highlight the effectiveness of his strategy of Water by showing the consistency in these principles. Once a warrior understands a consistent idea, it becomes very easy for him to implement it everywhere effectively. Thus, by learning this consistent way of water if a warrior defeats his single enemy, he thereby also gains the ability to defeat the thousands of enemies singly. That is how effective these ideas from the Water Book are!

“Language does not extend to explaining the Way in detail, but it can be grasped intuitively. Study this book; read a word and then ponder on it. If you interpret the meaning loosely you will mistake the Way.“

This is exactly what has been already established in modern philosophy as the Language Theory of Philosophy by Ludwig Wittgenstein. An ancient, age-old warrior already understood this knowledge way ahead of his time. Miyamoto-san knew that a novice self-learner will take every word literally and hence will fail to actually grasp the depths of the wisdom he has shared. He wants readers to inculcate every word in their own lives. These are not ideas just for battling, killing and fighting. These are the ideas to handle any type of situations, people, systems in your everyday lives.

“The principles of strategy are written down here in terms of single combat, but you must think broadly so that you attain an understanding for ten-thousand-a-side battles.“

The wisdom is so distilled and ubiquitous that it can be used in any battle, any problem solving.

“If you merely read this book, you will not reach the Way of Strategy.“

Again, this Book of Water rather the Book of Five Rings is not to be taken literally.

Spirituality – The Way of Life

“In strategy your spiritual bearing must not be any different from normal. Both in fighting and in everyday life you should be determined though calm. Meet the situation without tenseness yet not recklessly, your spirit settled yet unbiased. Even when your spirit is calm do not let you spirit slacken. Do not let your spirit be influenced by your body, or your body be influenced by your spirit. Be neither insufficiently spirited nor over spirited. An elevated spirit is weak and a low spirit is weak. Do not let your enemy see your spirit.”

One has to now understand that Miyamoto-san even though explicitly talks about sword fights it is not only about sword fights. He wants readers to understand that the true greatness does not come from following special regime or following some trick or knowing some secrets. Actually, the secret to a great life is that there is no secret!

Miyamoto-san doesn’t want a warrior to force things. He wants everyone to be at their optimum, neither less nor more, neither in excess nor in scarce – just the perfect amount. Once this happens in a person’s daily routine then it becomes part of him, his way of life. Then even an extraordinary situation, a bad event doesn’t affect him. This is what discovering spirituality is!

“With your spirit open and un-constricted, look at things from a high point of view. You must cultivate your wisdom and spirit. Polish your wisdom: learn public justice, distinguish between good and evil, study the Ways of different arts one by one. When you cannot be deceived by men you will have realized the wisdom of strategy.“

Miyamoto-san though promotes his “Way of Strategy” in the Book of Five Rings, he wants the readers to expand their vision, their perspectives to different arts too. The idea is that when you become aware of many things, many arts it becomes really difficult to fool you, to trick you. That is also a superpower in a way.

Stance

Please mind that it is not just about how a warrior should stand in a fight. Stance here also means about your attitude in the situations of hardships and challenges. Here it goes:

Adopt a stance with head erect, neither hanging down, nor looking up, nor twisted – Don’t project yourself as too proud or too peasant and helpless. Be at peace with yourself.
Your forehead and the space between your eyes should not be wrinkled – Control and hide your anger and project it effectively when and where required
Do not roll your eyes nor allow them to blink – Don’t fiddle, observe your surrounding with a calm and focused mind
With your features composed, keep the line of your nose straight with a feeling of slightly flaring your nostrils – Be in the moment. Breath.
Hold the line of the rare of the neck straight: instill your vigor into your hairline, and in the same way from the shoulders down through your entire body – Concentrate all your energy to your torso, your vital organs in order to handle what is to come next
Lower both shoulders and, without the buttocks jutting out, put strength into your legs from the knees to the tips of your toes. Brace your abdomen so that you do not bend at the hips – Don’t tighten your body, don’t be stressed from the fear of your enemy. Loosen up your body to make it pliable to respond enemy attacks effectively.
Wedge your companion sword in your belt against your abdomen, so that your belt s not slack – this is called “wedging in” – Prepare yourself to attack, tighten your core body, your weapons, your tools/ equipment to face any situation

“In all forms of strategy, it is necessary to maintain the combat stance in everyday life and make your everyday stance your combat stance.“

Here you must understand that these are not the recommendations to warriors only. Miyamoto-san wants these to be the way of life. One has to really appreciate the depths of his wisdoms through these teaching.

Gaze – Don’t just look, have a vision

“In strategy it is important to see distant things as if they were close and to take a distanced view of close things.“

While doing all of these stances Miyamoto-san suggests to not get fooled by the appearances only. He recommended these mentioned stances in order to project strong warrior in front of his opponent. But what if the enemy also projects the same stances nevertheless, he is strong in reality? At these moments, Miyamoto-san guides to understand the big picture and the details to decide effective strategies based on the enemy’s behavior.

Holding the Long Sword

Miyamoto-san beautifully explains the role of each finger on the grip of sword. It can only be experienced on personal level of reader and cannot be expressed in words only. But the overall idea is not just grab the sword with all five fingers rather make it an extension of your body which has its own reflexes.

“Fixedness means a dead hand. Pliability is a living hand.“

It is again a reminder to not blindly and mechanically follow the rule, tricks, or techniques. Become agile and formless, shapeless like water (..my friend!)

Footwork

“Whether you move fast or slow, with large or small steps, your feet must always move as in normal walking.“

Miyamoto-san here again says that there is nothing like “special technique” to defeat any enemy. When you are not forcing things to be there, you break the patterns, mechanical nature of your moves. Your moves, decisions become natural.

“You should not move on one foot preferentially.“

If you have preferences, then it becomes easy to defeat you by attacking on your preferences, your preferences will make you more predictable.

“If you try to wield the long sword quickly you will mistake the Way. To wield the long sword well you must wield it calmly.“

Any big responsibility, any big authority, any big decision, any big power should be handled wisely, calmly with a focused mind.

Way of the Long Sword

Miyamoto-san then exactly points out each and every technique to the student. The details with which everything is explained deserves great attention of every reader. The information is clear, concise and just enough.

a. The Five Attitudes

The great thing about a true master is that he is the ultimate simplifier. A true master knows how to teach complicated and intertwined knowledge points in simplified ways without losing the essence of the concept. Miyamoto-san thus incorporates his exact learning into small chunks of wisdom where every word is just enough to grasp the whole concept.

Miyamoto-san at the very beginning makes clear as to where exactly the sword is supposed to be used. The five attitudes he describes seem very simple. The five attitudes are:

The Middle attitude – it is about hitting (and killing) the enemy by striking on torso and vital organs with sword against his face
The Upper attitude – it is about exactly striking upper blow of sword when enemy attacks and when he escapes this cut Miyamoto-san guides to follow the flow on line and scoop from below
The Lower attitude – it is about hitting the hands of enemy from below, Miyamoto-san also suggests that this is the most encountered stance from enemy
The Left-side attitude – it is about hitting the hands of enemy from below and parrying the same attack to cut from his left side
The Right-side attitude – it is about crossing enemy’s sword attack from below and swinging it further and using upper strike from the right side

These are in simple and no-nonsense words, the five directions in which you can swing a sword to kill your enemy. You really have to understand that the reader of this book especially the pupil learning swordfight are supposed to have that innate natural excitement of learning something special from the great master – his tricks and secrets to become invincible. But the great Sword-master Miyamoto-san delivers his wisdom in the ways of common sense. And believe me it is not sarcasm, rather Miyamoto-san is very serious while discussing the five attitudes here. The whole idea of five attitudes is that, there are mere five vital regions where one has to focus to defeat his enemy. And in those five the Middle Attitude is the most vital. (Logically, the middle region, the torso of human body consists most of the vital organs in human body so it already makes more sense)

“To understand attitude, you must thoroughly understand the middle attitude. The middle attitude is the heart of the attitudes. If we look at strategy on a broad scale, the Middle attitude is the seat of the commander, with the other four attitudes following the commander. You must appreciate this.“

The attitudes are not there only to explain the parts of human body, it also represents the whole organization of the enemy’s battalion. All the vital weaponry, the best of the best soldiers, the best diplomats, the best strategists are the middle part of every commander on battle-field. Miyamoto-san suggests to focus on this middle part while defeating enemies in masses. Such hidden and smart instructions are hidden and scattered all over the Book of the Five Rings.

b. The “Attitude No-attitude” teaching

Miyamoto-san gives five attitudes to fight at first and then instructs to forget about them here. Please understand that the five attitudes are not just “A Guide to Basic Human Anatomy” for the sword-fighters. There is deeper meaning in Miyamoto-san’s advice.

“Whatever attitude you are in, do not be conscious of making the attitude; think only of cutting. Your attitude should be large or small according to the situation.“

One can understand it like this – Do not get overwhelmed by the thought of deciding which approach to select to kill the enemy. Actually, if one gets tangled and confused in selecting the right approach, he will immediately loose his life to his opponent as the enemy has already stricken him.

One should only focus on intent to kill the enemy and let the right attitudes come out of those attitudes. Even though five attitudes are defined that does not mean that they are supposed to followed mechanically. This way of mechanistic selection and confusion from it disappears when one does enough practice which is what Miyamoto-san focuses and instructs everywhere.

“Fixed formation is bad“

Again, Miyamoto-san suggests to be fluid, non-fixated, agile, flowable like water.

c. To Hit the Enemy “In One Timing”

The idea is to not hesitate to act on right opportunity with the full intent of killing the enemy

d. The “Abdomen Timing of Two”

Don’t spare your enemy even when you see him retreating, when you see him relaxing follow him up with a cut

e. No Design, No Conception

Go fully “in” when you see enemy going fully “in”. Use everything you have, don’t follow the structuredness and rigidity of some tricks you learned elsewhere. Again, be fluid in nature, respond accordingly.

f. The Flowing Water Cut

When your strike fails, when you fail (in anything in your real life too) widen your perspective, expand your spirit and this time strike your next blow slowly but decisively, thoughtfully. Miyamoto-san understands that when the enemy sees his strike winning, the true warrior must make a conscious effort to not let his enemy’s morale raise high with this small win. Miyamoto-san call it like “Stagnant water”, when you blow fails, pause-think-come back with full intent of focus.

g. Continuous Cut

When you realize that the enemy- opponent is equivalent to you and it is difficult to defeat (kill) him; then you should attack in such way that it will harm the enemy at multiple locations. Try to hit as many birds as possible in single stone when you are fighting an equal opponent. It is about effectiveness and efficiency of your single stroke.

h. The Fire and Stones

When fight goes one-to-one make sure that it hits different parts of the enemy.

i. The Red Leaves Cut

Force the enemy to lose his sword, his vital and important tools, weapons like a falling and dying red leaf of fall. Disable the enemy by capturing his resources.

j. The Body in Place of the Long Sword

Don’t just be too focused on your weapon, your sword, your tools and resources. Use your body to attack the enemy. If you can focus on getting the control of enemy’s sword, he can think of you similarly. So, with sword use your body too.

k. Cut and Slash

Miyamoto-san here clarifies that cutting is about cutting with full intent of killing but slashing is just touching the enemy, injuring him.

Be decisive about your moves before attacking and be ready to accept the consequences.

Miyamoto-san explicitly clarifies additional thing here:

“Even if you slash strongly, and even if the enemy dies instantly, it is slashing.“

I would like to highlight one very important bias that every learner every, student faces in their learning process, especially when they are leaning on their own which is the “Outcome Bias”. Many a times we make some hypothesis on the inner working of the things which we are trying to understand and it eventually happen in the end but in somewhat different ways- in a way we didn’t expect but it happens. Does that mean that we have completely understood everything? The answer is “No”. This is known as the “Outcome Bias” where you decide whether a certain action is right or wrong based on the outcome and the outcome might be just luck. So, it might be a possibility that your hypothesis is wrong.

The outcome bias is dominant in self-learners which Miymoto-san expertly points out here.

l. Chinese Monkey’s Body

Don’t extend yourself partially in enemy’s territory just like Chinese Monkey’s body in Miyamoto-san’s words. If you extend your arms towards the enemy, the enemy will grab you by your arms and pull you in completely.

m. Glue and Lacquer Emulsion Body

When you engage with the enemy make sure that you engage fully. As in do not lose the contact with your enemy when you are really in the fight. Otherwise, you will be unable to anticipate and react to your enemy’s next blows.

n. To Strive for Height

Once engaged with enemy in fight, establish dominance in every possible way, don’t let your enemy’s morale rise up and take the high ground. (That’s exactly what Obi-Wan Kenobi did)

o. To Apply Stickiness

When fully engaged, stick with the enemy; don’t lose touch of him and his sword. Reduce the strength of the strike but keep in touch with his blade, that will help you to gauge his moves immediately.

p. The Body Strike

Find the weakness of the armor and directly attack the body through that weakness.

q. Three Ways to Parry His Attack

When enemy blows attack, target his important areas first for counter attack. First way is to attack on his eyes-his vision; second on his neck, the part which connects the mind and the tools of any organization, any battalion; third on his face, on the image and perception of the organization, the battalion.

r. To Stab at the Face

Stabbing at face means to destroy the senses and the mind of the opponent. Face as in head is eyes, ears, nose, tongue, skin and mind all in single spot which is another vital region of the body. Once you drive the head, the complete body will follow thereby making enemy predictable to attack and kill effectively.

Try to control enemy’s moves by explicitly targeting his most important parts with full intent.

s. To Stab at the Heart

When you are tired, just blow single and focused strike on the vital part of the enemy.

t. To Scold “Tut-TUT!”

Make sure that your enemy understands that your counterattack was intended to hurt, kill him. Try to bring down his morale. Don’t let him think that he has won.

u. The Smacking Parry

If you develop a rhythm of attacks in your fight, you can still handle the coming blows from enemy and simultaneously hurt him with counterattacks. It’s about developing a sense of timing.

v. There are Many Enemies

When you are alone and surrounded by many, don’t hesitate and wait; attack with the intent to kill many in single strikes. Don’t attack and strike from front or head on; approach and attack from sides.

“Whatever you do, you must drive the enemy together, as if tying a line of fishes, and when they are seen to be piled up, cut them down strongly without giving them room to move.“

w. The Advantage when Coming to Blows

Go out, practice, and implement your truths, your learnings in reality.

x. One Cut

Become a master in such way that it looks effortless to others. (like Saitama!!!)

While actually reading all these ways to kill the enemy with sword, you will feel like you are actually witnessing these iconic sword strikes in a sword fight or like an intense sword fight in an anime. Miyamoto-san creates a live picture of strokes of sword in his writing while writing all this, which itself is a great experience for readers.

Closing remarks of the Book of Water

In the closing remarks of the Book of Water, Miyamoto-san instructs to make these ideas the way of life. He wants these ideas to become part of your habits. When they will get reflected in your habits the body will react naturally to the challenges as if these techniques are second nature for it. Miyamoto-san expects a flow, a harmony like water in the rhythm, spirit of the readers while handling sword or any situation in their life.

“Step by step walk the thousand-mile road“

Miyamoto-san is aware that the novice will get overwhelmed by the details and the number of the teachings from the Book of Water alone. He wants the student, the warrior, the reader to learn one by one, one at a time and imbibe it in their lives.

“Study strategy over the years and achieve the spirit of the warrior. Today is victory over yourself of yesterday; tomorrow is your victory over lesser men.“

It is about practicing, relearning and distilling down the wisdom over the period. This is only possible by discipline. Only discipline will bring out the best version of you from your personality of times gone, once you become something different and greater from your previous version nobody can stop you. Discipline is the way.

“Even if you kill an enemy, if it is not based on what you have learned – it is not the true Way.“

In the end of the Book of Water, Miyamoto-san explains the only way to develop wisdom. Knowledge can be transferred, can be taught from one person to another but wisdom always develops from inside. And as it develops from inside, there is very high possibility that it will be full of biases as these are self-truths. Hence clearing the biases in your learning process by continuously practicing them with reality is the way. One must be always be sure about the hypotheses in their knowledge building process in order to create the real wisdom.

Miyamoto Musashi’s Book of Water from the Book of Five Rings is about the ideas of formability, fluidity of water. The way we live and control our lives, the decisions we make, the actions we do are solely based on the behaviors and the routines we follow. The ideas expressed in the Book of Water are can also be connected to Game theory, Corporate Strategies, Principles of War Strategies and Diplomacy, Human psyche, Competitiveness, Lifestyle, Resources and Manpower Management, Spirituality and nonetheless Philosophy of Life and Knowledge. It is really an understatement to call this book as a Guide for Sword-Fighters.

What is special about water? That it is so omnipresent that it is not that special. It is so formless, shapeless that it takes shape of anything. Water has ability to make impact even when it is in drop and even when it in the form of ocean. The specialty of water is that it is not special, or at least no specialty can be assigned to it. It is water’s fluidity, pliability to the situations which enables it to take their forms which is what makes water so special. That is exactly what Miyamoto-san establishes here for the ways to live life thereby with the battles and fights in it.

Links for further Reading:

The Book of Five Rings – The Ground Book

Miyamoto Musashi’s philosophy for 21^st century

Wisdom of the elders

Here is a short story. A young man heard some cracking noise in his car which was unexpected for him as he had taken good care of this car. After doing everything possible, visiting many of his mechanic friends, running tests, the problem was not getting solved completely. The noise would again start after some time. One of his friends suggested a senior mechanic to solve this problem. The senior mechanic came, asked the young man to start the car, listened to the noise for some time and tightened just a single screw on the drive mechanism and the noise disappeared. The problem was solved within few minutes and senior mechanic made sure that it will not happen again by revving to the extremes of the car with a test drive. The young man was happy seeing that the problem was solved instantly.

He asked, “How much for the job?”

The senior mechanic said, “that will be $200”.

The young man was shocked, “Who pays $200 for tightening single screw?”

Senior Mechanic, “$200 are for knowing exactly which screw to tighten which required the whole experience of my profession, tightening any screw is still free!”

The young man realized the value of the service from the senior mechanic, paid him accordingly and apologized for questioning his intent.

The story is contrived, but no one will disagree that we have faced such similar moments in our lives, especially in the times of youth. Some problems become unsolvable at a given moment. People try to implement the most modern of modern techniques to tackle this challenge but the efforts are futile, worthless. Then one “seasoned” senior and (obviously) old person enters the discussion and solves problem within few steps, rendering all the young and modern efforts useless. When the solution becomes visible to everyone, it becomes apparent that the answer was filled with such a common sense that any fool would have guessed that and still nobody could solve it.

The point of all this is that, wisdom of elders although remains less relevant with the current flows and fields of knowledge, they become of ultimate importance when any unconventional problem emerges. Because this wisdom is born out of many tests of such senior person’s knowledge in his/her life where every unnecessary part of the knowledge is stripped off to reach that point of true knowledge- the wisdom.

Today we will explore the ancient philosophy of one such seasoned person which has stood the test of the times, especially the modern times where the skill he worked with is on the brink of extinction. As the wisdom goes, it is still relevant and helpful for today’s generation and the generations to come.

Miyamoto Musashi and The Book of Five Rings

Miyamoto Musashi was the greatest Japanese swordsman that the history of humanity has ever witnessed. Miyamoto Musashi was known for his swordsmanship and remaining undefeated in 61 duels. He was so great and influential in his art that people call him Kensei, a sword-saint of Japan. Along with the greatest swordsman, Miyamoto Musashi was also a great penman. His writings, philosophies, strategies remained of great value in the respective times and are still important today.

Miyamoto Musashi wrote two books in the later years of his life – The Book of Five Rings (五輪の書, Go Rin No Sho) and The Path of Aloneness (獨行道, Dokkōdō).

Miyamoto Musashi put all his wisdom of a warrior’s life into this “Book of Five Rings”. The five rings namely Ground, Water, Fire, Wind and Void represent the five aspects of his philosophy of a warrior. The books are a collection of very limited paragraphs and believe me it is intentional. They are supposed to concise reflecting the focused intention of the writer Miyamoto-san.

The Ground Book

The book starts with the philosophy of the Ground. The book seems exclusively written for warriors and martial arts practitioners.

“Each man practices as he feels inclined”

Miyamoto Musashi establishes that there are many fields of knowledge, ways of living life. Anyone can learn any way he fancies.

“The Way of the warrior is resolute acceptance of death“

Even though every person has to face death in the end, for a warrior the acceptance of death as the ultimate truth creates that urgency for discipline, virtue and intent. Miyamoto-san intends a person to realize the limitedness of the life and the urgency to overcome the ways in which a common life lives the same life. He wants the reader, the warrior to have something that many commoners don’t have that is the victory at personal level and victory at a group level, in teams. And believe me it is not just about victory in sword-fight or a huge battle.

Even though Miyamoto-san clearly discusses the techniques of sword fight one must understand that they are the techniques of living the life, handling the situations in life, creating a fighter warrior’s attitude towards the challenges in life.

The Way of strategy

In simple words, it discusses the discipline to live a warrior’s life. For that Miyamoto-san starts with the function of major professions in the society – the gentlemen a.k.a. the warrior, the farmers, the artisans, the merchants. He clearly points out that these are just people extending themselves through some objects for living the life with some benefits and thereby their survival.

“If we look at the world, we see arts for sale. Men use equipment to sell their own selves.”

Musashi’s view towards life and world is still relevant and unchanged. Our jobs, professions, occupations are extensions of our personality. Some are doing it willingly; some are doing it unwillingly. Even when some people are hating their jobs that is still representing who they are.

Miyamoto-san also explains how some masters, so called “Gurus”, trainers brag that their technique is the best and try to mislead people with that to gain profits. He highlights that how techniques, the strategies to live better life are being traded objectively for profits. In this chaos of trade of knowledge Miyamoto-san establishes how the value of true knowledge always remains superior irrespective of the show off of the immature people using it for their profit.

Even in today’s times the situation is not drastically different. The mainstream education is already destroyed by the backdated education system, degrees and diplomas are still less relevant for the actual professions, unnecessary and highly profit driven coaching add more to that. You will find every possible type of motivational trainer in every direction you throw the stone. Very few of them are actually doing the job of delivering true wisdom.

“The teacher is as a needle, the disciple is as thread”

So, Miyamoto-san tells here that a true teacher only directs to the goal, the direction a needy disciple, true student follows that with proper faith and diligence.

The Carpenter and the Warrior

Miyamoto Musashi tries to establish that the basic ideas of wisdom are consistent everywhere. As every type and size of wood has its own characteristics, it makes sense to use those types and sizes of wood where they prove the most effective. It’s a common sense! Utilize things and manage people according to their type, size, skills and abilities. Not everything is supposed to fit everywhere, actually that withdraws the specialty of that object or that person. And thus Miyamoto-san delivers one of the most important management lessons, that is still relevant today.

“The foreman carpenter allots his men work according to their ability. The foreman should take into account the abilities and limitations of his men, circulating among them and asking nothing unreasonable. He should know their morale and spirit, and encourage them when necessary. This is the same a s the principle of the strategy.“

If we try to force the object to fit in, the people to do the jobs they hate we won’t be able to utilize them to their fullest potential thereby lowering the purpose of their existence and even failing in the pursuit of our goals. A good leadership advice!

Body of the strategy

Note that Miyamoto-san uses words “the Way of Strategy” everywhere to highlight his philosophy of living an effective life.

“It is difficult to realize the true way just through sword-fencing.“

This should again make clear that the book not just about sword-fighting. The ways Miyamoto-san refers to are to understood in bigger aspects of life which is limitless.

“Know the smallest thing and the biggest things, the shallowest things and the deepest things.“

The inclusive and impartial perspective to look at life is the true way of gaining true wisdom. Only by knowing the extremes of the life one can have a grasp over what is actually happening. Only then one can bring that objectivity in their thoughts, otherwise people become followers of one side, blind worshipers of some great books and great people. The real and true way in in appreciating and understanding the whole spectrum of life. Only then one can live the life to its fullest.

“This is a truth: when you sacrifice your life, you must make fullest use of your weaponry. It is false not to do so, and to die with a weapon yet undrawn.“

One must make every possible attempt in the challenging situations in life to overcome them. In today’s world we call it as living life without any regrets of not making any attempt to achieve goals. If you are going for pass the last punch in your fight, make sure that you punch real hard, with all your focused intent!

“It will seem difficult at first, but everything is difficult at first.“

Miyamoto-san again is discussing about how to avoid wrong choices of weapons at wrong places. How you cannot use long sword in narrow places, how short sword is swift, the practicality of handling multiple weapons, the practicality of using the swords of different length based on the confinement, time and location. It becomes very detailed, confusing and overwhelming at a moment, but please know that it is not just about sword-fighting. It is about the common sense of knowing your tools, your behavior, your intent and using them to your full potential according top the situations, places and events.

“If you know the Way broadly you will see it in everything“

This single sentence is the gist of the whole books of the five rings (But that should not restrict us from exploring the remaining books and philosophies further and it will be an injustice with Miyamoto Musashi philosophy) This sentence is the only reason why one can say that it is not just about sword fighting. There are many ways to live a life. Even though there are infinite possibilities to our lives they make sense only when we have a broader view, a wide intent to make sense out of this chaos of possibilities. Its like changing your perspective of life opens new possibilities and new learnings, new insights from the same thing which earlier made less or no sense.

Why is the strategy only about swords even when there are some other good weapons like halberd, bow, spear and guns? Swords are extension of the warrior’s spirit both theoretically and practically. He explains that further in detail to prove why sword is the ultimate weapon.

“Weapons should be hardy rather than decorative“

The intent of tool is to get utilized effectively rest is just unnecessary baggage. Robustness of the weapon, your tool is more important than its appearance. In simple words, things, techniques should be designed for the function expected from them (I know it is common sense, but we many times we unnecessarily over-complicate our lives with many things thereby hiding the solution which was in plain sight) It is also about having only those resources which are actually required otherwise you will be spending unnecessary time, capital for managing that extra drag, which itself is a good management lesson.

“You should not have a favorite weapon. To become over-familiar with one weapon is as much a fault as not knowing it sufficiently well. You should not copy others, but use weapons which you can handle properly.“

In two words – John Wick and in single word – agility. Miyamoto expect the true life to be full of possibilities not some preferences. For that one themselves should be open to experience instead of having a narrow-minded attitude. This agility grants that specialty to the person which justifies his existence and also enables him to handle situation in novel and effective ways.

Emphasis on originality – when one copies the other and by the chance of time if they face each other the one who has copied his opponent’s technique will not have any type of advantage of creativity.

Timing

“You win battles with timing in Void born of the timing of cunning by knowing the enemies’ timing, and thus using a timing which the enemy does not expect.“

Importance of surprise attack or surprise move can be only highlighted once the person has overall understandings of the distance timing and the background timing. Distance timing is the awareness of what is happening with you and background timing means what is happening around you. By distance timing you can only handle yourselves, your moves but in order to anticipate your opponent’s attack you have to understand what is happening around you.

This may seem far stretched but Miyamoto-san is actually referring to different perceptions of times for you and your opponent- it’s always relative and there is a rhythm to it. (here, goes Albert Einstein) In today’s competitive world, it is more important to understand and anticipate the competitors moves and ways of working to defeat him. Excelling yourself won’t always work in non-zero-sum games (and here goes Game theory)

The roadmap to an effective and focused life

The Ground book is about the outline of the discipline, philosophy and the path to follow it. These are the minimum basic requirements for any warrior seeking accomplishment and wisdom. Miyamoto-san is very specific here. This set of nine strategies/rules is the most discussed portion of the Book of Five Rings. (And yes, it is still relevant today)

Do not think dishonestly

Dishonesty removes the objectivity in the learning process. If you remove the objectivity from the learning then the comparison of the facts, object and the observations vary disproportionately with them. This creates wrong and biased observations and learnings thereby. So, if you are ready to call yourself fool when mistakes happen only then you can achieve good objectivity and real wisdom in the learning process.

The first principle is that you must not fool yourself and you are the easiest person to fool.
Richard P Feynman

The Way is in training

Training builds the feedback loop in the learning process. Reinforcement of this feedback loop creates extraordinary outcomes

I hated every minute of training but I said don’t quit suffer now and leave the rest of your life as a champion
Muhammad Ali

Become acquainted with every art

Don’t have preferences because in order to extract synergy from even a single skill, single tool you must know how it works with every other skill or other tool. When you will understand the rules of their working with everything possible you will be able to create something truly new and original. (And trust me it is very difficult to create some really unique and original. That internet post you thought is really personal to you has been already liked and shared by millions of people)

Learn the rules like pro so you can break them like an artist
Pablo Picasso

Know the Ways of all professions

In order to become a true leader, one must understand the ways of working of different people and allot the resources to them accordingly to extract the highest possible extraordinary outcome.

Management is about persuading people to do things they do not want to do while leadership is about inspiring people to do things, they never thought
Steve jobs

If you pick the right people and give them the opportunity to spread their wings and put compensation as a carrier behind it you don’t have to manage them
Jack Welch

Distinguish between gain and loss in worldly matters

Have a sustainable decision-making attitude. A true leader considers the consequences of even a small decision based on the broad outcome it will generate. This leader understands that even a small decision can affect the system in a big way.

It is the smallest decision that can change your life forever
Gary Goodridge

Develop intuitive judgement and understanding for everything

Have your own perspective about the world, that is what justifies your existence in these infinite possibilities. Have an intent to connect he multiple and distant dots in your life, that is what will make you special and invincible.

Wisdom is not a product of schooling but of the lifelong attempt to acquire it
Albert Einstein

Perceive those things which cannot be seen

Understand that things are not what they always seem from their outside. This develops the sense of anticipation thereby an attitude to handle anything that is possible. It will also grant you the intellectual humility.

There are things known and there are things unknown and in between are the doors of perception
Aldous Huxley

Pay attention even to trifles

The secret to do things differently is to understanding every detail associated with them. Seasoned artists are best examples of this. They make things look really simple but when a commoner attempt to replicate that, people instantly notice something off in that performance. The secret is that the mastery is about understanding every nitty-gritty of your skill.

The difference between something good and something great is attention to detail
Charles R Swindoll

Do nothing which is of no use

Have absolute focus, clear intent in your efforts. (Even when you are having fun have complete fun) Learn to say No when it is of no use or value for you. It removes the drifts and deviations in your experiences.

It’s not the daily increase but daily decrease. Hack away at the unessential
Bruce Lee

One has to understand what Miyamoto Musashi intends while writing the Ground Book. You will notice each and every important moment in his writing he suggests reader to use their own sense and experiences, he wants the reader to appreciate what he is trying to convey and not just read and follow it literally.

You will see sentences like this scattered throughout all five books

…You ought to think deeply about this.

…You must do sufficient research.

…I cannot write in detail how this is done.

…The essence of this book is that you must train day and night in order to make quick decisions.

…You must appreciate this.

So, the Ground book is not just about the plans and ideas to handle the weapons, their timings or some management lessons for a warlord or a strategist or some sword fighter. And believe me it is not a plan or roadmap to clarify his remaining four books. Actually, any superficial reader rather a fool will have the knowledge of things mentioned here.

The Ground book is the foundation of living a life of focus to its full effectiveness, full potential. When Miyamoto Musashi is saying that the Ground Book is like road mapped on ground, one has to appreciate and understand that it is actually the roadmap to our whole life. Again, it is not just about sword fighting and war strategies. The whole purpose of writing such a distilled and rather a short book is just to make the readers aware of the extreme and rewarding possibilities life provides. Exploring and experimenting them with focus and intent is all up to them and that is actually the beauty of an elder’s wisdom. One really has to try it on their own, experiment on their own, practice diligently on their own to appreciate what is actually getting conveyed by the wisdom of the elders.

There is more to such wisdom which will follow in the philosophies of the Water book, the Fire book, the Wind book, the Void book in upcoming posts.

Links for further reading:

Game Theory – Minding our decisions

“All stable processes we shall predict.

All unstable processes we shall control.”

– Jon von Neumann

Human relationships are more of multiple complex interactions. The interactions with living or non-living bodies create some actions and these actions have some favorable or unfavorable outcomes. The word “relationship” here is not used just as in parents, siblings, in-laws or acquaintances but as a connection to everything around us, mostly living things. The awareness of our actions and their consequences- that visualization of cascade is one of the major parts of our knowledge building, relationship development, behavior management, personality development.

As a sane creature (most of the time) we try to calculate the consequences of our actions, have a thought about it and then decide our strategy while acting on something. This is what some people call the motivation or habit or trait of that person, that character. Important thing to understand is that every action always has multiple outcomes which brings the complexity in the expected outcomes of the scenarios. Different people have different motivations/ habits/ traits so they react and decide in different way adding further complexity to the scenario.

Take a simple example:

Many a times when you are trying to call your friend this happens. You call him, his phone rings but he doesn’t pick up. Then he notices the missed call and tries to call you while you are already calling him. The call remains engaged from both sides. Then you both wait for exactly the same time oping that the one on other side will call.

This goes for some time, and after some trial and error your call gets connected.

What should be an optimal strategy for such simple scenarios?

There is a rigorous field of mathematics and economics (not limited to these only and rather a wide field) which can deal with such problems and far more complex problems in our day-to-day interactions.

“Game theory is the study of mathematical models of strategic interactions among rational agents.”

Simply put, game theory can give answers to have the best strategy for the interactions which can be business interactions, economical interactions, national interactions, war strategies or competitor strategies. The idea of Game theory was developed by famous mathematician Jon von Neumann and economist Osker Morgenstern. Let us dive in deeper.

Basic Definitions in Game Theory

Game– A game is any situation in which players (the participants- the agents) make strategic decisions—i.e., decisions that take into account each other’s actions and responses.

Agents– The participants, the players of the game.

Rational Agents– This is the most important idea in Game theory where the rationality of agent is the idea of welfare of the agent. The agent will always try to achieve its own welfare. In economics this is known as maximizing the utility.

A rational agent always tries to maximize its utility.

Strategy– Rule or plan of action for playing the game.

Payoff/ Outcome– The value of utility, extent of welfare from certain strategy. It is numerical, quantified measure of the benefit from a strategy.

Optimal Strategy– A strategy which maximizes the utility of an agent.

Please note that the clear definition of utility, rational agent, optimal strategy defines the boundaries of the problems in Game theory thereby making it mold-able into the mathematical models (although mathematical models can consider the factors beyond boundaries but it will make the problem unnecessarily complicated). Mathematical models as in the mathematical equations which can be solved using general techniques to get the maximized outcome for the agents.

Please note that the word “Game” in game theory can be any situation which requires strategic decision making involving more than one agent. The game can be simple like Stone-Paper-Scissors, Tic-Tac-Toe or a Chess game to more complex game like launching a new smart phone in the market or taking over a company or setting up a war with a nation or even winning the general elections of the country.

The Prisoner’s Dilemma

The Prisoner’s Dilemma is the most common and famous example to understand the basics of Game Theory. Consider a scenario:

Two persons are arrested by Police under the crime of armed robbery. The Police know that they have committed this robbery together but they don’t have enough proof to justify that. They can only charge the persons under the theft of the car used for robbery due to lack of evidences. Police think that if both persons confess the armed robbery, then they can easily jail them under the proper charges of armed robbery. So, they lock each of them in separate cell and ask them to either confess or deny the crime.

The police inspector tells each one of them separately in their cell the following:

If only one of you confesses the crime and the other doesn’t, then the one who confesses will be freed but the another one refusing will be sentenced for 10 years. If you both confess, you’ll each get 5 years. If neither of you confess, then you’ll each get two years for the car theft.

Now, if we see the overall scenario, the best thing for both the prisoners is to deny the crime and set themselves free at first, but if you think properly of all the consequences and the information available to both the prisoners, that is not the best strategy.

The common information of three possible cases given to both the prisoners by the policeman is known as Information Set in Game theory.

So, the outcomes of such scenario can be arranged in a table to form a matrix which is also known as the Normal Form in game theory.

If we assign a number to each the payoff of each strategy,

0 for the worst case- 10 years of jail
2 for 5 years of jail
3 for 2 years of jail
4 for becoming free, no jail

then the normal form can be given as follows:

It becomes very easy to see as an agent of this game- the prisoner will try to maximize his utility by refusing the crime thereby setting him free. But the catch here is that he doesn’t know what another prisoner has done- whether he confessed or refused the crime.

Now, we need to understand that the final outcome is not dependent on only one prisoner decision. Hence, the decision making of second prisoner will affect the decision making of first prisoner. Let us see from the perspective of Prisoner 1:

Refusing should be the best idea, but if Prisoner 1 refuses and the Prisoner 2 confesses then it will lead to 10 years of imprisonment (zero utility) for Player 1 more risky operation as he is not sure about Prisoner 2’s decision.
If Prisoner 1 confesses the crime, then there are two possibilities:
- Prisoner 2 also confesses thereby both will get 5 years of sentence (utility of two)
- Prisoner 2 denies thereby prisoner 1 getting freed and Prisoner 2 gets sentenced for 10 years (utility of 4 for prisoner 1 and zero for prisoner 2)

So, confessing becomes the best strategy for both the prisoners when they are in an isolated cell.

Which is why the optimal strategy for both the prisoners of this game is to confess. In any possible decision by another prisoner, it will give the best possible outcome.

The one thing important to notice here is that they both could have refused simultaneously. Because, if they both refuse it would have maximized the utility of both (2 years of jail for both, utility of 3 for both). The thing is that the risk associated with refusing is more than the risk associated with confessing. Thus, even if the utility is highest in some cases the interaction of other players forces a player to choose optimal strategy which will yield the best irrespective of other players decisions.

The Nash Equilibrium

Mathematician John Nash took the Game theory developed by Neumann and Morgenstern and provided mathematical background for finding the strategy where the solution will be optimal irrespective of the decision made by the other players. For that we need to understand the two types of games – Cooperative and non-cooperative games

If the prisoners in above examples are supposed to have a word with each other before presenting their opinion to the police they surely would have understood that refusing will benefit them both, which when exploited is a collusion – a foul play, here in the prisoner’s game it is exploited.

But as we know in reality, even if they are given a meet to discuss before presenting their opinion there is still that risk of changing the statement at the last minute (!) thereby making the game a non-cooperative game. Nash Equilibrium exists in such non-cooperative games.

A cooperative game represents the game where players agree to work towards a common goal. It’s like splitting your restaurant bill with your friends. Here the main focus remains on the contribution from each player, like Coalition of Countries to reduce carbon footprint, to stop Global Warming. Shapley value is used in cooperative games instead of Nash Equilibrium. Shapley value distributes the payoff based on the contribution a player makes in the game.

Shapley value simply decides the fairness of payoff for each player in cooperative game whereas Nash equilibrium decides the best decision to maximize the payoff in a non-cooperative game.

“In non-cooperative games there exists an equilibrium at which no side has any rational incentive to change the chosen strategy even after running through all the choices available to the opponent”

In short, Nash Equilibrium is like a law which needs no punishment to enforce to the rational people, because the people understand that breaking that law will not benefit them.

It is like following a traffic signal properly. If all will rush at the crossing all will be late in their journey maybe possible deaths due to accidents. Following the time-based signal will give opportunity to everyone, thereby zeroing the risk of accidents and saving the travel time. (And still some people break the signal, hence the word “rational agent” is of highest importance in Game theory!)

John Nash – a mathematician received Nobel Prize in economics for his work of Nash Equilibrium. The development of mathematical tools further for game theory revolutionized the economics. The movie on his life called “A Beautiful Mind” depicts his original thought process in a beautiful way.

“I can observe the game theory is applied very much in economics. Generally, it would be wise to get into the mathematics as much as seems reasonable because the economists who use more mathematics are somehow more respected than those who use less. That’s the trend.”

– John Forbes Nash Jr.

Assumptions of Game Theory

All players are utility maximizing rational agents that have full information about the games, rules and the outcomes/ payoffs. (So that the mathematical models will fit)
Players are not allowed to communicate – no coalition in a bad way – no collusion- no foul play (hence the reason Governments also establish anti-collusion, antitrust laws, anti-monopoly laws in real world)
Possible outcomes are known in advance and cannot be changed (Deterministic models, hence the reason many equity traders try to find some trends in the equity indices based on certain assumptions)
The number of players can be infinite but most of the games will contextualize in terms of two players only (thereby simplifying the model).

Strategies of Game theory

Pure and mixed strategies:
- PURE- Players follow same strategy in the game- All the companies may increase the product prices of their products to increase the profit. (Actually, it not that simple)
- MIXED- Different players follow different strategy in the game. (One company will try to sell less but expensive units, the another one will try to market the best-in-class after-sales services)
Dominant and dominated strategies:
- A dominant strategy leads to the best of all alternative payoffs
- a dominated strategy leads to the worst of all alternative payoffs
- Say, there are two companies A and B both have two products – consumer and professional. The market has 80 % of consumers and 20 % of professionals. What can A and B do.
- Company A and B both will enter both the consumer and professional market hence each will get 50% of the share from total market (half of consumer i.e., 40% consumer and half of professional i.e., 10% of professional market to each company), thereby maximizing the utility which is Dominant Strategy
- Company A and B both will enter only professional market (which is already 20% of whole market- smaller market share) so both will get only 10% each of the total market thereby getting the least amount of market share which is Dominated strategy
- Only company A can enter in consumer market and company B can enter professional market thus one will get complete consumer market and the another will get complete professional market. Reverse is also possible here.
- The example i) here is called as Strictly Dominant Strategy, example ii) is called as Strictly Dominated strategy.
Maximin strategy – A strategy which will maximize the profit, the utility in the game
Minimax strategy- A strategy which will minimize the loss in the game

Game Theory for Life- The Concept of Finite and Infinite Game

The applications of Game theory are uncountable in real world. The complexity of real-life problems projects an impression as if Game theory has just started developing like a new born baby. The problems Game theory can solve and the promises it provides can add great value to humanity.

In order to understand the depths of the contributions of the Game Theory, we must understand the idea of Finite and Infinite Game.

The finite game has known players, fixed rules, has an end point where there is one winner and there in one loser- a zero sum game. Like the game of chess, the game has two players, all the rules are fixed and cannot be changed by some external influence, either one of the kings gets the checkmate or the match becomes draw- no win or no lose- the game ends.

The infinite game is an eternal game- it goes on. The resources are infinite, the rules keep on changing, the players come and go. The infinite game is similar to what our life is. If one knows how to win an infinite game, then he/she can also win a life.

Simon Sinek has a beautiful book called “The Infinite Game” where he has explained how to win at an infinite game and thereby possibly at life. The insight from the idea of an infinite game is that the main goal of the game is to keep it playing. As the resources are infinite, players are infinite, rules are changeable- there is no endpoint for such game which will justify the worth of the winner. There is no winner.

Most of the games in economics, finance may seem finite games for once but deep down, when explored further are the infinite games, our life is the best example of it. Simon Sinek has given many lectures, talks about the mindset for infinite game which are beautiful. They are beautiful because they reflect the philosophical nature of Game theory and its synergy to human decision making which is not rational all the times. Simon Sinek highlights on five headers while discussing the infinite games.

Just cause- A Specific vision for the future which is yet to exist. It is powerful enough to motivate people, make sacrifice for it.
Trusting teams- Creating room for improvements, improvements will lead to evolution, development. This will truly lift the human spirit. It is about the creation of psychologically safe environment where people can demonstrate who they are and improve over it to last longer in the game.
Worthy rival- As the game is infinite- won’t end, the rival should always inspire one to elevate the game thereby strengthening both the sides. If the rival is not strong- worthy the game will end to some part but still new player will enter and perpetuate the game, thus the sustenance demands worthy rival.
Existential Flexibility- Disruption for more effective development leading to evolution
Courage to lead- Given the uncertainty of the outcome, a risk-taking attitude for the unknown but good future dependent upon the just cause is important to live through the infinite game.

Such ideas given for the infinite game can help build better organizations, better teams, better institutions.

“An infinite mindset embraces abundance whereas a finite mindset operates with a scarcity mentality. In the Infinite Game we accept that “being the best” is a fool’s errand and that multiple players can do well at the same time.”

– Simon Sinek, The Infinite Game

The Game theory itself represents an institution which has proved to become useful in not only economics but also in philosophy of humanity.

(We can deduce the optimal strategy for the engaging phone call game using Game theory. The optimal strategy is to do what both sides were doing before initiating the call. Thus, the one who tried calling first should continue calling whereas the one receiving the call should wait for the call rather than calling back! Please assume the rationality of your friend, willingness of your friend to accept the call, strong signal strength for the game!)

References and Further Readings:

The Infinite Game by Simon Sinek
Ross, Don, “Game Theory”, The Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy (Fall 2021 Edition), Edward N. Zalta (ed.)
Game Theory: Definition, Role in Economics, and Examples by investpedia.com
What game theory teaches us about war | Simon Sinek – TED Archive
The Infinite Game for New York Times
Strategic Dominance: A Guide to Dominant and Dominated Strategies by effectivology.com
Photo of Jon von Neumann from Wikimedia and www.lanl.gov
Photo of John Nash from Wikimedia and Peter Badge
Photo of Simon Sinek from Wikimedia
Memes from

Miyamoto Musashi’s philosophy for 21st century

Conclusion

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Miyamoto Musashi’s philosophy for 21st century

Ancient combat strategies for the modern competitions

Spirituality – The Way of Life

Stance

Gaze – Don’t just look, have a vision

Holding the Long Sword

Footwork

Way of the Long Sword

a. The Five Attitudes

b. The “Attitude No-attitude” teaching

c. To Hit the Enemy “In One Timing”

d. The “Abdomen Timing of Two”

e. No Design, No Conception

f. The Flowing Water Cut

g. Continuous Cut

h. The Fire and Stones

i. The Red Leaves Cut

j. The Body in Place of the Long Sword

k. Cut and Slash

l. Chinese Monkey’s Body

m. Glue and Lacquer Emulsion Body

n. To Strive for Height

o. To Apply Stickiness

p. The Body Strike

q. Three Ways to Parry His Attack

r. To Stab at the Face

s. To Stab at the Heart

t. To Scold “Tut-TUT!”

u. The Smacking Parry

v. There are Many Enemies

w. The Advantage when Coming to Blows

x. One Cut

Closing remarks of the Book of Water

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Miyamoto Musashi’s philosophy for 21st century

Wisdom of the elders

The Ground Book

The Way of strategy

The Carpenter and the Warrior

Body of the strategy

Timing

The roadmap to an effective and focused life

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“Game theory is the study of mathematical models of strategic interactions among rational agents.”

Basic Definitions in Game Theory

A rational agent always tries to maximize its utility.

The Prisoner’s Dilemma

The Nash Equilibrium

Assumptions of Game Theory

Strategies of Game theory

Game Theory for Life- The Concept of Finite and Infinite Game

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Miyamoto Musashi’s philosophy for 21^st century

Miyamoto Musashi’s philosophy for 21^st century

Miyamoto Musashi’s philosophy for 21^st century