Dec
03
2009
Zanshin means “the remaining mind” and also “the mind with no remainder.” This is the mind of complete action. It is the moment in kyudo (Zen archery) after releasing the arrow. This is “Om makurasai sowaka” in oryoki practice and drinking the rinse water. In shodo, it is finishing the brush stroke and the hand and brush moving smoothly off the paper. In taking a step, it is the weight rolling smoothly and the next step arising. In breathing in completely, it is this breath. In breathing out completely, it is this breath. In life, it is this life. Zanshin means complete follow through, leaving no trace. It means each thing, completely, as it is.
When body, breath, speech and mind are broken from each other and scattered in concept and strategy, then no true action can reveal itself. There is only hesitation, or trying to push oneself past hesitation. This is the mind of hope and fear, which arises because one is trying to live in some other moment, instead of in the moment that arises now. One is comparing, planning, or trying to maintain an illusion of control in the midst of a reality which is completely beyond control
Dec
01
2009
The Mind of No-Mind (Mushin no Shin)
A mind unconscious of itself is a mind that is not at all disturbed by affects of any kind. It is the original mind and not the delusive one that is chock-full of affects. It is always flowing, never halts, nor does it turn into a solid. As it has no discrimination to make, no affective preference to follow, it fills the whole body, pervading every part of the body, and nowhere standing still. It is never like a stone or a piece of wood. It feels, it moves, it is never at rest. If it should find a resting place anywhere, it is not a mind of no-mind. A no-mind keeps nothing in it. It is also called, munen, “no-thought.” Mushin and munen are synonymous.
When mushin or munen is attained, the mind moves from one object to another, flowing like a stream of water, filling every possible corner. For this reason the mind fulfills every function required of it. But when the flowing is stopped at one point, all the other points will get nothing of it, and the result will be a general stiffness and obduracy.
Takuan Soho (1573-1645) Abbot of Daitokkuji
Nov
30
2009
Great Yoshinkan Aikido demo from the 20th Annual Yamanashi Yoshinkan Aikido Demonstration in 2007. Thank you, YoshinkanAikidoRyu, for posting it.
Nov
29
2009
Shuchu Roku”- Focus all your energy to one point.
Nov
24
2009
Nov
23
2009
This is an extremely well written essay on Aikido. I would recommend that anyone unfamiliar with Aikido read this to understand the ultimate purpose of Aikido and Budo in general.
Nov
03
2009
Muda (無駄) is a traditional general Japanese term for an activity that is wasteful and doesn’t add value or is unproductive.
I would think that it’s the opposite to Kaizen.
kaizen (改善, Japanese for “improvement”) is a Japanese word adopted into English referring to a philosophy or practices focusing on continuous improvement in manufacturing activities, business activities in general, and even life in general, depending on interpretation and usage.
Shushinkan Aikido
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