In Kukishin Ryū there is a series of poems called the Gokui no Uta (Poems of the Secrets) that lay out the core philosophy of that school in a manner similar to the budō kun of other schools.
The first of these poems is:
“There is no village upon which the moon does not shine, but in the mind of the viewer there is.”
This poem is attributed to Izumo Kanja Yoshiteru, the founder of the school. Like the other poems, this one conveys a quite simple concept, but it is exceedingly difficult to put the lesson into practice in one’s life. In an Introduction to Psychology course one learns about how people tend to attribute the actions of others to the disposition of that individual while one attributes one’s own actions to external factors. This is one of several coping mechanisms that the mind practices to get by. There is also a proclivity to think one is being treated unfairly whether one is or not. These are delusions one should work to avoid, but, it should be noted, without these coping mechanisms one’s failings stand naked before one’s mind. One must cultivate mental strength if one is going to blow away theses clouds from within one’s mind.
Happiness and sadness are one’s reaction to external situations and conditions, but are not caused by those events. If one can gain control over how one perceives the world, one can fundamentally change one’s life. Perspective, being intangible, may not seem important, but a dark perspective can drive one mad.
My goal in the new year is to see the world more as it is and not to give into the comfort of martyr complexes.
