I'm a big fan of Miyamoto Musashi. I believe every martial artist can learn from reading The Book of Five Rings. I'm sure I will be posting numerous thoughts about Musashi and his text in future posts, but today I want to share something that can help everyone become a better martial artist, and if applied to other areas of your life, a better person. These are Musashi's nine rules for learning the art:

1. Think of what is right and true.
2. Practice and cultivate the science.
3. Become acquainted with the arts.
4. Know the principles of the crafts.
5. Understand the harm and benefit in everything.
6. Learn to see everything accurately.
7. Become aware of what is not obvious.
8. Be careful even in small matters.
9. Do not do anything useless.

Incorporate these rules into your training and life and you are bound to see greater success. - Alain