Basho and Musashi

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I once read a story about the Musashi, and Basho. This story must be apocryphal as they did not live at the same time, but I think of it often in relation to martial arts practice. Musashi was a samurai with a deep interest in Zen Buddhism, and Basho was a poet with a samurai background - both were also known as great travelers.

So, according to the story they met on their travels, and they sat down to talk and rest. As they sat in the forest, they saw a mamushi, or Japanese pit viper, sliding toward them. Neither moved. The viper approached Musashi, and, somehow sensing danger, stopped and changed directions. When the viper approached Basho, however, it slithered over his feet as if he were part of the forest floor.

Sometimes the objective is achieved by not having a fighting attitude.

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