Wind

Understanding Others, and the Power of Perspective

This letter, Wind, is the fourth in a series inspired by the timeless wisdom of the Japanese samurai Miyamoto Musashi.

After grounding ourselves in Earth, flowing with Water, and igniting the decisive force of Fire, we now turn to the Wind — a symbol of awareness, observation, and the wisdom found in understanding the ways of others.

For Musashi, Wind is more than a breeze across the battlefield; it is the current of thought, culture, and perspective that shapes the strategies of those around him.

Yet these same currents move through our own lives today, influencing how we think, act, and respond to the world around us.

In his teachings, he examines the methods of other schools, not to imitate them blindly, but to understand their nature — their patterns, strengths, and weaknesses.

The Wind teaches us to open our minds and widen our views — to listen, to observe, and to see beyond the boundaries of our own experience. It calls us to step outside our comfort zone and into the vast, shifting currents of the world.

The Power of Perspective

We often move through life convinced that our way is the way — that our views, beliefs, and the paths we have walked are the only ones worth following. Yet Musashi reminds us that true mastery of life and self begins with a wider perspective: to know yourself fully, you must also know the world.

Like the wind sweeping across open land, perspective moves without boundaries, widening and deepening with every distance it crosses. When we open ourselves to the ways of others, we do more than understand them — by seeing the world through their eyes, we uncover our blind spots, unlock our hidden strengths, and see more clearly who we are.

Open to the Wind Without Losing Yourself

To learn from others is not to lose your identity. The wind may carry the scent of distant lands, yet it never ceases to be wind. In the same way, we can welcome lessons from those who walk different paths while remaining true to our core principles.

Musashi warns of the danger of closing the mind — of becoming so devoted to a single view, idea, or belief that we lose our ability to adapt when the world changes around us. The wisdom of the Wind Book lies in balance: staying true to our purpose while remaining open-minded, inspired, and adaptable.

Flowing With the Currents

Wind is not bound by walls or obstacles; it finds a way around them, over them, and through the smallest of gaps. In our own lives, this means allowing ourselves to be moved by curiosity, to seek out diverse views and voices, and to remain open to what helps us grow.

By understanding the perspectives, hopes, and concerns of others, we place ourselves not against, but in alignment with the unfolding world. In doing so, we can anticipate change before it arrives and respond with grace.

Winds of Understanding

Musashi’s Wind Book is ultimately a lesson in connection — to people, to ideas, and to the ever-changing world. To live like the wind is to listen with an open heart, to observe without judgment, and to adapt while staying true to who we are. Let us move through life like the wind — crossing boundaries, embracing the wisdom of the world, and recognising that the varied viewpoints, beliefs, and life experiences we encounter along the way can broaden and deepen our own understanding of ourselves. For in knowing others, we know ourselves.

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Wind is offered in a limited, signed fine art giclée print edition

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  Wind

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