At times I have told people that the philosophy I most closely connect with is Zen Buddhism.At other times I feel I have such little knowledge on the topic it feels almost like fluffery for me to even say that is what I connect with.
At still other times, I realize that I am able to contribute thoughts from my experience with Martial Arts (Karate-do) and was able to reflect upon these key principles this morning:
In the beginner’s mind there are many possibilities, in the expert’s mind there are few.
– Zen teacher Shunryu Suzuki‘s book: Zen Mind, Beginner’s Mind, which reflecting upon a saying of his regarding the way to approach Zen practice
• Mushin: Practicing “No-Mindedness”. I really enjoyed getting a reminder of mushin from the wikipedia article this morning: my best excerpt for this morning: (there is so much good here, it is hard for me not to take the whole thing.. but I will quote one paragraph…)
Mushin is achieved when a person’s mind is free from thoughts of anger, fear, or ego during combat or everyday life. There is an absence of discursive thought and judgment, so the person is totally free to act and react towards an opponent without hesitation and without disturbance from such thoughts. At this point, a person relies not on what they think should be the next move, but what is their trained natural reaction or what is felt intuitively. It is not a state of relaxed, near-sleepfulness, however. The mind could be said to be working at a very high speed, but with no intentions, plans or direction. In analogy a clear mind is compared to a still pond, which is able to clearly reflect the moon and trees. But just as waves in the pond will distort the picture of reality, so will the thoughts we hold onto disrupt the true perception of reality.
• Zanshin (Japanese: 残心)… (from wikipedia)
In several martial arts, zanshin refers more narrowly to the body’s posture after a technique is executed…”, “In karate, zanshin is the state of total awareness. It means being aware of one’s surroundings and enemies, while being prepared to react.
• Shoshin: (again, credit goes to wikipedia)
Shoshin (初心) is a concept in Zen Buddhism meaning Beginner’s Mind. It refers to having an attitude of openness, eagerness, and lack of preconceptions when studying a subject…
I realize today, I am able to reflect upon the several years I practiced Karate in Boston and realize that the no-mindedness I practiced during kata was very helpful in developing a peacefulness of mind.
Even during chaos, I can strive to appreciate everything that is going on and do the best possible next right action. Very difficult at times, but something to strive for.
Perhaps tomorrow I shall reflect upon Satori.
Zen Mind at 350 KM above earth
Have a wonderful day! It’s just an interesting coincidence (and perhaps we put our own thoughts upon those that we see?) but this astro pic of the day (“wonderful day” link, image at left) makes me think of reflection, no-mindedness and thoughts of openness.
I also get a great deal of peacefulness listening to these tibetan chants.