The Book of The Ground – Discipline and Focus
Discipline, training, and focus are addressed in Miyamoto Musashi’s Book of Five Rings. He introduces these ideas in the first of the five books, The Book of The Ground.
In Book of the Ground, Musashi points to mastery of oneself is fundamental before a person can master any art or strategy. I mentioned this in my article from February 11, 2024. So, let’s hit a few key points on what he is saying.
Discipline
Discipline is the regulation of oneself. We often think of it in physical terms. “How many push-ups can I do?” “How can I improve my form?” all well and good. This physical orientation is not the end of it. Regulation is recognizing the person in the car who cut you off was not acting in a personal manner. The other driver did not wake up that morning asking the question, “How can I cut you, by name, off this morning?” You are of no mind to them, and you should have the same response.
The morning toast falls to the kitchen floor butter side down. Regulation, or discipline of mind acknowledges the moment and is indifferent to the moment. Clean it up and start over.
Training The Toast
In the example of the toast, I have not been perfect. I have lost it over that last piece of toast hitting the floor butter-side down. Yet conversely, I was in a recent car wreck and was silent throughout the entirety of the accident.
I rode out the car wreck as the airbags deployed from the impact of the SUV into our car, totaling it. Everyone was safe. I felt no post-adrenal dump. But the toast—I lost it! The smallest of things. That morning, I failed Training the Toast. How is this?
A wise woman I worked with told me. “It is rarely the big things in your relationship you will have disagreements over, it is often the smallest of things.” Here is where the training for The Ground Book begins. It starts with the small stuff. Control the small, the other items will come into the light of regulation.
Focus
An example of The Book of The Ground – disipline and focus. I recall reading a section of Joel Hyams’s book, Zen in the Martial Arts. You may remember this as well. Hyam’s was at Bong Soo Han’s, noted Hapkido Master’s school. Bong Soo Han received some mail on his desk while eating lunch. Han set the mail aside with a response, and I paraphrase, “Do one thing at a time.” This allows focus. The next time you want to look at your phone, or tablet while watching a movie, don’t. Begin your focus training then. Choose one.
Let’s Cross-Pollinate
If you have a copy of Marcus Aurelius’s book, Meditations, this is a tool for regulation. Marcus opens up what Musashi says in the ground book, through the philosophy of Stoicism, the ideas of regulation, discipline, and focus. His book is a great way to make the cryptic Book of The Ground more useful.
If you want to do a quick search, you can find the book on the web as open source. I recommend you get a copy, however, if you don’t already have one. Open the book to any page, and you will find it applicable to Musashi’s Book of The Ground.
Start with the small mental training, the toast, and soon you will expand your discipline and your regulation. You may enjoy this previous post, more from The Book of The Ground: https://www.martialjournal.com/opening-the-book-of-the-ground/
Be well and keep the path.
Key Takeaways:
- The Book of The Ground sets the table for everything that follows in The Book of Five Rings.
- Controlling your response to the smallest of events is the entry point to discipline.
- Other master words such as Meditations by Marcus Aurelius can aid in understanding Musashi’s work.
Quotes:
- “Do one thing at a time.” – paraphrased from Bong So Han
He has authored several books on martial arts and self-defense, such as "The Way of Kata" and "The Little Black Book of Violence". Kris also runs the Wilder Karate Academy, where he teaches classes and conducts seminars.
- The Book of The Ground – Discipline and Focus - May 3, 2025
- Opening – The Book of The Ground - March 10, 2025
- Musashi and Bruce Lee Agree - February 12, 2025
Leave a Reply