Week 5 · Honesty
Refining the Warrior’s Edge
As the training grows more demanding, tell the truth about effort, ability, correction, and motive.
Each day teaches the job. You can follow it without the book and without a class. The book is where the stories and the training finish what a page opens.
The seven days
One job a day. Today is where you do it.
- Read the weekName one place you are avoiding effort
- The practiceName one place you are overestimating your ability
- The practiceReceive one correction without defending yourself
- The practiceCompare your stated goals with what you actually did this week
- Study honestySincerity, truthfulness, and the alignment of words with actions.
- Close what is openFinish any practice still unchecked. Do not invent a new one.
- Close the weekRead what you wrote. Mark the week only if the conduct matched it.
Makoto is the alignment of speech and conduct. Technical refinement and moral refinement are the same movement: see the flaw, and do not decorate it.
The Zen Warrior does not claim mastery he has not practiced. Honest self-assessment is part of the training, not a confession after it.
Practice
Reflection
Kept on this device. Not sent anywhere.