A clever turn of phrase, tactical maneuvering, and various other minor tricks—these things may be useful in a fleeting moment, but they do not determine the ultimate flow of life, work, or competition.

History offers deep insights into what truly defines our path. It is about what we place at our core, and which direction we choose to head. It is about what we choose to protect, and what we choose to let go. In other words, it is not about technicalities; it is about the Grand Path.

The Concept of “Once the Root is Established, the Way Opens”

There is an ancient saying: “Once the root is established, the Way opens.” It means that when the foundation is firmly set, the path forward naturally reveals itself.

Because tangible things are always right in front of us, we often find ourselves rushing to find immediate methods. What should I say? How should I move? How can I win? How can I avoid a loss?

While the usefulness of these tactics is undeniable, what if they aren’t meant to dictate the Grand Path? What if, instead of such techniques, it is integrity and faith that determine our way? More often than not, it is a clear, unwavering principle—a strong and noble faith—that shapes a person’s life.

Kannagara no Michi in Shinto

In Shinto, there is a concept known as Kannagara no Michi (the Way of the Gods). This is akin to the sentiment of living in harmony with the laws of nature, divine will, and the primordial flow of existence, rather than overcomplicating things with shallow human wit.

It means stripping away personal convenience, greed, and unnecessary calculations to live in alignment with a grander truth. Shallow cleverness sometimes disrupts the natural flow. The more eagerly we chase short-term gains, the further we stray from the true path.

Shoken (Right View) in Buddhism

If we look for a similar concept in Buddhism, it would be Shoken (Right View). Right View means seeing things as they truly are—in other words, aligning your very perception.

Buddhism does not attribute the cause of suffering merely to external events. It looks deeper, examining the underlying attachments, misunderstandings, desires, and distorted perspectives. While superficial fixes patch up the surface, Right View heals the very root of perception.

To put it in Buddhist terms:

・Perception precedes action.

・Awareness precedes technique.

・The direction of the path precedes the final result.

This is precisely what it means for the path to be determined by the Grand Path rather than petty technicalities.

Muet Jizen (Wu Wei / Natural Non-Action) in Lao-Tzu and Chuang-Tzu

The concept of Muet Jizen (Natural Non-Action) found in Taoist philosophy is also close to this way of thinking. Muet (Wu Wei) does not simply mean doing nothing; it means abstaining from unnecessary, artificial action.

When people become anxious, they feel an immediate urge to act. They want to add something, engineer something, or force an improvement. However, that movement is not always necessary. Rather, people often overreact precisely because they cannot read the flow. They stack small, reactive fixes on top of each other because they lose sight of the foundation.

Muet Jizen means letting go of unnecessary tension and aligning oneself with the grand order of universe. It is not about multiplying clever tricks against the current, but about grasping the current itself.

The Grand Path is an Aesthetic

What do you find beautiful, and what do you find ugly? If you hold onto your integrity and live in accordance with that standard, that becomes your path. Those who can find a broader, stronger, and more sublime path are truly fortunate.

Whether it comes to relationships, work, competition, or one’s way of life—what we are ultimately questioned on is not how clever or skillful we were.

Where did you stand? What did you place at your core? What did you protect to the very end?

That is exactly where a person’s true depth and charm reside.