Solitude

What would you do if the school you train at either closed or moved out of the area? Would you continue to practice your art on your own? Without the guidance of an instructor, the social interaction of other students, or the obvious incentives of attending a public martial arts school, what would it take to motivate you to continue training? In his book, Living The Martial Way, Forrest Morgan writes, "...undergoing shugyo (austere training) alone, with no one else to motivate you... can temper your spirit like nothing else can. And there's no warrior ritual more traditional than solitary shugyo." Many of us unconciously appraise ourselves and our abilities based upon how others perceive us, including and especially authority figures, such as a teacher. Without a perspective that comes from without, we must rely on self-referral. This is a potent and meaningful way to live.

Miyamoto Musashi had no master, and for the most part lived a solitary existence; he was a ronin. In the twilight of his life, Musashi retired to a cave to reflect upon his way -- his insights into the ultimate meaning of the martial arts. In the end, it was solitude that helped inspire Musashi to compose his legacy, The Book of Five Rings.