In all things, do not have a preference.

This is one of 21 precepts in the Dokkodo - The Way of Walking Alone. This book was written by Miyamoto Musashi - a legendary swordsman. It was written right before he died, with the purpose of being passed to his students. Take note of this. These precepts were intended not for the masses, but for the budding warrior, or at the very least, those pursuing mastery.

So why this precept in particular? Good question. All of his precepts are interesting and worth pondering. Of them, “In all things, do not have a preference” struck me as valuable, yet tough to follow. It therefore seemed worth exploring. We all have preferences. So, why does Musashi insist on having none?

While pondering it, I realized I’ve seen this precept in action. It is a common theme in many hero stories. The story typically goes like this:

“A hero joins a veteran on a dangerous journey. The veteran leads, while the hero reluctantly follows. When faced with a challenge, the hero often voices concerns such as, ‘But we might fall if we climb this ledge!’, to which the seasoned veteran always responds, ‘That’s right,’ before pressing forward undeterred. Towards the end of the journey, the hero realizes he has stopped voicing his concerns. The veteran smiles as the hero continues without him, no longer needing guidance.”

In this story, we see how preferences can get in the way of doing what is necessary. To a warrior, not doing what is necessary can mean death. Moreover, preferences end up shaping our abilities since they impact our training. An incomplete skillset could be fatal for someone like Musashi.

Preferences become particularly problematic in unpredictable environments. Your adversary doesn’t cater to your preferences. The universe isn’t obligated to accommodate a path that suits your liking. Simply put, the demands of the world and your journey are determined without regard for your preferences. There’s no guarantee that a path tailored to your preferences even exists, let alone leads to success.

The metaphor of ‘flowing like water’ encapsulates this concept. Water finds the path of least resistance, ebbing and flowing as the path evolves. By having no preference for what the path should be like, water continues unobstructed. Similarly, a warrior must be able to make split-second decisions in combat, and his training must prepare him for all eventualities.

So, what if one lived by this precept?

Musashi did just that. He went undefeated in 61 duels. During his duel with Shishido Baiken, a wielder of a unique chain-and-sickle weapon, Musashi broke convention. Rather than adopting a stance and assessing his opponent, as was customary, Musashi launched an immediate attack before Baiken could fully swing his chain. Although not strictly related to preferences, one can see how his actions were exactly what the situation demanded.

The bottom line is this: preferences can be in conflict with the necessities of your path. If you wish to flow unobstructed - both in your actions and your journey - seek to disregard your preferences. Recognize them for what they truly are - manifestations of our desire for control, not expressions of your unique nature. In fact, they can prevent you from discovering what you could be.

Achieving the self-control to do exactly what is necessary - isn’t that one of the greatest accomplishments one could strive for?