Samurai Principle #4
by Stanley Bronstein on May 25, 2010Meditation for Tuesday – May 25, 2010
Know The Ways Of All Professions.
(Miyamoto Musashi)
Know - To perceive or understand. To be acquainted with. To understand from experience or attainment. To be cognizant or aware of.
Ways – Manners, modes, or fashions. Habits.
Professions – A vocation requiring knowledge of some department of learning. The act of declaring oneself skilled or expert in a given area.
An Introduction
Today’s meditation is the latest meditation from a concept discussed in a book known as A Book Of Five Rings, by the Japanese samurai master, Miyamoto Musashi.
What Is A Book Of Five Rings?
A Book Of Five Rings, is considered a classic on military strategy, in a manner similar to that of Sun Tzu’s Art Of War. Having previously discussed Sun Tzu’s Art Of War on many occasions, I figured it was time to explore many of the same concepts from the perspective of a Japanese samurai master.
While A Book Of Five Rings is a military text, it’s lessons can be applied just as easily to non-military contexts. That’s why this book is still useful today, more than 350 years after it was written.
Today’s Meditation
Today’s quote talks about the need for a broad base of knowledge in order to understand people.
One way (perhaps the easiest way) is to understand what it is they do (their profession).
By understanding another’s profession, we will sometimes find it easier to understand that person.
Even if it doesn’t help us to fully understand others, it definitely will take us a long way toward reaching an eventual understanding of others.
Paying Attention To Others
One way to gain knowledge about others is to observe them; to watch them; to listen to them; to communicate with them.
Observation is vital if one wishes to understand the ways of others.
Unfortunately, all too often, we do not pay as much attention to others as we should. As a result, we miss key clues that would help us in understanding others.
Another Reason To Know The Profession Of Others
Another reason to know about the profession of others is that you might one day be called upon to exhibit the skills of a profession different than your own.
Wood workers may be called upon to work with brick. Accountants may called upon to deal with legal issues. Nurses may be called upon to perform as a doctor in an emergency situation. The potential list is endless.
Analysis
As you meditate upon this thought, ask yourself the following questions:
- What is my profession?
- What does my profession say about me?
- Do I pay attention to the professions of others?
- What does their profession say about them?
- Do I observe others as much as I should?
- What can I do to pay more attention to others?
- What might I learn by paying attention to others?
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Until next time, take care.
Stanley F. BronsteinHave you checked out my website that profiles the benefits of walking? iWarriorWalk.com
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