In my last blog, I discussed four important martial artist mindsets: Shoshin, Fudoshin, Zanshin, and Mushin. I also stated you must consciously train these mindsets as well, just like consciously physically practicing a form or a technique. Some of you may be wondering how you would go about training a mindset. So, in this blog, I will describe some ways to train these mindsets.
Shoshin: Beginner’s Mind
I discuss some of the concepts of a beginner’s mind in my
August 2018 blog, More Tips On Improving
(http://hanmookwan-svl-chiefinstructor.blogspot.com/2018/08/). In summary, if something does not make sense or you are
uncertain,
1. Trust the instructor – it can sometimes
take years to grasp a concept.
2. Ask for clarification in class to ensure
you understand the why of a concept or principle.
Remember, martial
arts take a lifetime to learn- I have stated this in class and included it in
several blogs, so keeping this in mind will also help keep your attitude/mind
open– whether it is a new concept or some subtly.\
I also suggest
that as you bow into the dojang and bow into class, you repeat some phrase or
mantra to remind you to keep an open mind/attitude such as “I am open to all
the new information I will receive today” or “I am excited for the new techniques/
information I will learn today”.
Fudoshin: Immovable Mind
To train your Fudoshin mind you must work on keeping your focus on the task at hand and not be distracted. I discuss focus and concentration in my August 2010 blog, Focus and Concentration (http://hanmookwan-svl-chiefinstructor.blogspot.com/2010/08/) and in my September 2017 blog, Training The Mind by Staying Focused (http://hanmookwan-svl-chiefinstructor.blogspot.com/2017/09/). As a summary to those two blogs, some ways to practice this are:
1.
Keep one thought through
basics/hyung.
Some examples are: focus on your breathing and making it smooth, during the attack stance techniques focus on keeping back leg locked, focus on powerful penetrating techniques. Notice if you become distracted and immediately get back to your focus item.
2.
Meditate
In addition to the above, in all you do you must remain positive and confident. In Gichin Funakoshi’s, The Twenty Guiding Principles of Karate [1], his fifth principle is “Mentality over Technique”. Funakoshi states, “….in martial arts mental faculties are more important than technique. The former must rise above the latter.”
So, if you start to doubt something or have a negative response, think of two positive experiences of where you performed a technique well or were successful to help overcome the negative thoughts. \
Zanshin: Remaining Mind
To train your Zanshin mind you must work on your intent and attitude while practicing. I discuss this topic in my October 2017 blog, Training The Mind Through Attitude/Intent (http://hanmookwan-svl-chiefinstructor.blogspot.com/2017/10/). In summary you must practice all your techniques, hyung, sparring and self-defense with an attitude that your life depends on it. You must practice all your techniques with the intention to do damage.
In addition, you need to practice being aware. I discuss this in a couple blogs including my August 2009 blog, More Awareness (http://hanmookwan-svl-chiefinstructor.blogspot.com/2009/08/) and my March 2014 blog, Awareness Revisited (http://hanmookwan-svl-chiefinstructor.blogspot.com/2014/03/). For me, Gichin Funakoshi states it best in his 16th principle in The Twenty Guiding Principles of Karate [1], when he states “Consequently we should adopt the attitude that when leaving our gate we are entering into the midst of many potential enemies and should stay mentally alert.”
It also means listening to your instincts if you feel unsafe, paying attention to the people and the events around you, expanding your awareness when you are in areas that are unfamiliar, and noticing areas/events where you are more at risk (and avoiding them if possible).
Mushin: No Mind
Mushin comes from practicing over and over and over again such that you react without thinking. It means being grabbed hundreds of times and focusing on that one technique to escape until it becomes second nature and then moving to another technique, then another then another. It means being so comfortable with your arsenal of techniques you flow from one to the other without hesitation.
So, again to be proficient in these mindsets, you must train – train the body and train the mind.
Regards,
Kelly
“Do not place hope in finding a secret technique. Polish the mind through ceaseless training; that is the key to effective techniques.” ~ Kyuzo Mifune (1883-1965), Judo Master (10th degree)
References:
1. The Twenty Guiding Principles of Karate: The
Spiritual Legacy of the Master by Gichin Funakoshi
