Philosophies for Life 118: 5 Ways To Develop A Strong Samurai Mindset - Miyamoto Musashi
Oct 25, 2025
18:39
In this podcast we will be talking about how to develop a strong samurai mindset from the philosophy of Miyamoto Musashi. Miyamoto Musashi is considered to be the greatest swordsman ever in the history of Japan, in large part due to his almost surreal discipline.
So here are 5 ways to develop a strong samurai mindset from the philosophy of Miyamoto Musashi -
01. Cultivate a clear mental image of success
02. Focus on perfecting the basics
03. Stay focused
04. Never act on partial feelings
05. Embrace Adversity as Opportunity
I hope you listening to this podcast and hope these insights form Miyamoto Musashi help you to develop a strong samurai mindset.
A samurai at first, and then a Ronin, Miyamoto Musashi is considered to be the greatest swordsman ever in the history of Japan, in large part due to his almost surreal discipline. Indeed It is being said that he fought 60 duels, and never lost one. He fought for the first time when he was 13 against an experienced Samurai, and came out victorious. He took down the greatest swordsman at that time, one by one, until the throne was his, and his alone. However, Miyamoto was more than that. Not only was he a master of his craft, but he was also an artist, a cerebral philosopher and a buddhist. He sought meaning, wrote war and philosophy books, and his work became a blueprint for people who want to live a disciplined life. A week before he died in 1645, Miyamoto Musashi wrote 21 principles called “Dokkodo '' by which he expresses a stringent, honest, and ascetic or strongly self-disciplined view of life.
So here are 5 ways to develop a strong samurai mindset from the philosophy of Miyamoto Musashi -
01. Cultivate a clear mental image of success
02. Focus on perfecting the basics
03. Stay focused
04. Never act on partial feelings
05. Embrace Adversity as Opportunity
I hope you listening to this podcast and hope these insights form Miyamoto Musashi help you to develop a strong samurai mindset.
A samurai at first, and then a Ronin, Miyamoto Musashi is considered to be the greatest swordsman ever in the history of Japan, in large part due to his almost surreal discipline. Indeed It is being said that he fought 60 duels, and never lost one. He fought for the first time when he was 13 against an experienced Samurai, and came out victorious. He took down the greatest swordsman at that time, one by one, until the throne was his, and his alone. However, Miyamoto was more than that. Not only was he a master of his craft, but he was also an artist, a cerebral philosopher and a buddhist. He sought meaning, wrote war and philosophy books, and his work became a blueprint for people who want to live a disciplined life. A week before he died in 1645, Miyamoto Musashi wrote 21 principles called “Dokkodo '' by which he expresses a stringent, honest, and ascetic or strongly self-disciplined view of life.