Or "behave as if you were already dead." This is a mind-set of samurai of that feudal era that had a great influence on Japanese culture and beliefs. It is a mind-set that leaves the samurai with no fear for life and no fear toward life-threatening situations in duels and battles. It created a mind-set that left no room for second-guessing of their abilities as swordsman.
Why am I bringing this up on a karate oriented philosophical blog? It is because this mind-set is indicative of the mind-set a person today must achieve in training and practice if they wish to be proficient in any martially oriented system of self-protection. In karate-justu aspects if one truly believes they are already "dead (metaphorically speaking)" then they won't allow the monkey to chime in with monkey chatter that would cloud a clear mind needed to act.
Hmmm, I am not conveying this thought well so let me try a bit more. Karate-justu requies one to believe that in a fight, in combat under predatory attacks that they are already done, they have nothing to lose, nothing to give up and no possible fault in their ability - a mind-set that does not allow for kinks in the mental and physical armor and weapons. They must have developed "no-fear" of the attack, the attacker or the method of attack. It is a present moment type mental ability that allows nothing to interfere but what is happening in the moment and the application of your instinctual ability to act according to the situation in lieu of thinking, contemplating or allowing mental monkey chatter to enter into your mind - a blank mind as a open conduit for training to be used to combat the situation.
If you are a professional as I am learning to understand one it actually means your already dead when you enter into harm's way. Your life before that moment does not exist. There is no loss. There is nothing but that moment so your mind and body do what is needed to get the job done. Your mind-set must know that has no room for second-guessing your ability. You trained properly and you confidence is unquestionable. No doubt, no second-guessing and no monkey-mind chatter. Just action, just act and just getting the job done.
I feel that this post is not getting the idea aptly across so I will simply state, let it spur you on to investigation of this concept of feudal Japan samurai way. The Japanese are the second greatest industrial force in the world and it is this type of mind-set that got them there. It is not a literal fear of physical death but rather death of the business, etc. Can't we incorporate that mind-set in our practice? Do you have this mind-set? Isn't this the mind-set of our greatest athletes?
In closing, "Mushin (moo-sheen), meaning no-mind - a state of mind that refers to acting without artifices, without illusions, without being influenced by subjective thinking." - Michihiro Matsumoto on Musashi Miyamoto
Hey, Attention on Deck!
Hey, NOTHING here is PERSONAL, get over it - Teach Me and I will Learn!
When you begin to feel like you are a tough guy, a warrior, a master of the martial arts or that you have lived a tough life, just take a moment and get some perspective with the following:
I've stopped knives that were coming to disembowel me
I've clawed for my gun while bullets ripped past me
I've dodged as someone tried to put an ax in my skull
I've fought screaming steel and left rubber on the road to avoid death
I've clawed broken glass out of my body after their opening attack failed
I've spit blood and body parts and broke strangle holds before gouging eyes
I've charged into fires, fought through blizzards and run from tornados
I've survived being hunted by gangs, killers and contract killers
The streets were my home, I hunted in the night and was hunted in turn
Please don't brag to me that you're a survivor because someone hit you. And don't tell me how 'tough' you are because of your training. As much as I've been through I know people who have survived much, much worse. - Marc MacYoung
WARNING, CAVEAT AND NOTE
The postings on this blog are my interpretation of readings, studies and experiences therefore errors and omissions are mine and mine alone. The content surrounding the extracts of books, see bibliography on this blog site, are also mine and mine alone therefore errors and omissions are also mine and mine alone and therefore why I highly recommended one read, study, research and fact find the material for clarity. My effort here is self-clarity toward a fuller understanding of the subject matter. See the bibliography for information on the books. Please make note that this article/post is my personal analysis of the subject and the information used was chosen or picked by me. It is not an analysis piece because it lacks complete and comprehensive research, it was not adequately and completely investigated and it is not balanced, i.e., it is my personal view without the views of others including subject experts, etc. Look at this as “Infotainment rather then expert research.” This is an opinion/editorial article/post meant to persuade the reader to think, decide and accept or reject my premise. It is an attempt to cause change or reinforce attitudes, beliefs and values as they apply to martial arts and/or self-defense. It is merely a commentary on the subject in the particular article presented.
Note: I will endevor to provide a bibliography and italicize any direct quotes from the materials I use for this blog. If there are mistakes, errors, and/or omissions, I take full responsibility for them as they are mine and mine alone. If you find any mistakes, errors, and/or omissions please comment and let me know along with the correct information and/or sources.
“What you are reading right now is a blog. It’s written and posted by me, because I want to. I get no financial remuneration for writing it. I don’t have to meet anyone’s criteria in order to post it. Not only I don’t have an employer or publisher, but I’m not even constrained by having to please an audience. If people won’t like it, they won’t read it, but I won’t lose anything by it. Provided I don’t break any laws (libel, incitement to violence, etc.), I can post whatever I want. This means that I can write openly and honestly, however controversial my opinions may be. It also means that I could write total bullshit; there is no quality control. I could be biased. I could be insane. I could be trolling. … not all sources are equivalent, and all sources have their pros and cons. These needs to be taken into account when evaluating information, and all information should be evaluated.” - God’s Bastard, Sourcing Sources (this applies to this and other blogs by me as well; if you follow the idea's, advice or information you are on your own, don't come crying to me, it is all on you do do the work to make sure it works for you!)
“You should prepare yourself to dedicate at least five or six years to your training and practice to understand the philosophy and physiokinetics of martial arts and karate so that you can understand the true spirit of everything and dedicate your mind, body and spirit to the discipline of the art.” - cejames (note: you are on your own, make sure you get expert hands-on guidance in all things martial and self-defense)
“All I say is by way of discourse, and nothing by way of advice. I should not speak so boldly if it were my due to be believed.” - Montaigne
I am not a leading authority on any one discipline that I write about and teach, it is my hope and wish that with all the subjects I have studied it provides me an advantage point that I offer in as clear and cohesive writings as possible in introducing the matters in my materials. I hope to serve as one who inspires direction in the practitioner so they can go on to discover greater teachers and professionals that will build on this fundamental foundation. Find the authorities and synthesize a wholehearted and holistic concept, perception and belief that will not drive your practices but rather inspire them to evolve, grow and prosper. My efforts are born of those who are more experienced and knowledgable than I. I hope you find that path! See the bibliography I provide for an initial list of experts, professionals and masters of the subjects.
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