“Do not seek to follow in the footsteps of the wise. Seek what they sought.” - Matsuo Basho
Everyone seeks their own path. Each of us is simultaneously a guide and companion on life's journey. To think we are above or ahead of others is a delusion. We are all on the same path. This quote by Basho illustrates how we must think. If we live for others or try to be someone else, we will fail. Beginners, experts, students or teachers alike seek the same thing - to know themselves. Enlightened people all over the world and from different cultures all advocate the same thing - know thyself. "Who am I?" is the question that every person throughout time has sought to answer.
Victory comes not in defeating others, but as O Sensei asserted in defeating ourselves. True victory comes when one knows at their core who they are. From this place of knowing one's self, our altitude in life will be limitless.