--- In [email protected], "ED" <seacrofter001@...> wrote:
>
>
>
> I believe that the first of such-like works was the 1953 book: "Zen in
> the Art of Archery" by Eugen Herrigel, a German professor of philosophy
> who spent several years in Japan developing a zen mind through the zen
> art of archery. --ED
>
> Hi ED. I was fortunate in that my first exposure to martial arts
was traditional. The emphasis was on transcending the ego through
hard training. Technical expertise is not enough. One must transcend
dualistic thoughts about winning and losing. In traditional karate
fighting (I won't call it "sparring" as that implies a back-and-forth
exchange)the match is concluded with a single decisive blow. This may
or may not be practical for hand-to-hand combat, but it is excellent
for Zen training. Typically, the beginner is obsessed with second-
guessing what the opponent is going to do. This actually interferes
with smoothly reacting to the attack when it comes. In old sword
duels this would just get you killed. One must, after laying a solid
technical foundation, just let go of all expectations, worries and
speculations, all thoughts of winning and losing, and just face the
opponent in the emptiness of Mu-Shin (No-Mind).
Steve
>
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