The case for 'Moving Zen'

[Melau]

This post is not about the "Moving Zen: One Mans Journey to the Heart of Karate" book, while I do recommend it. It's a good read!

I'm wondering if there are martial artists that have a similar experience when facing a opponent / training buddy on the tatami of comparable or slightly higher level. When performing kumite or partner exercises, sometimes you will enter a state of mind comparable to "Transcendental Meditation " (which is a technique for avoiding distracting thoughts and promoting a state of relaxed awareness), or flow, "awareness", or however you want to call it.

For me the tatami is one of the few places where I experience this feeling.

Any comparable experiences out there?

[sensei8]

Interesting topic; glad that you started it, Melau!!

Two of Karate's most profound principles are similar to what you're speaking about. Mizu No Kokoro [Mind Like the Water] and Tsuki No Kororo [Mind Like the Moon].

[JR 137]

I don't know if it's moving zen or moving meditation, but the dojo is the only place I have ever gone to that I can completely leave the rest of the world behind. I don't have a single thought other than the task at hand. No job, wife, kids, deadlines, unfinished chores, nor anything else. It's been a very difficult few months; the dojo is the only place if feel disconnected from it all.

We had a meditation class last week (our dojo does this monthly, which is a common Seido tradition), and I was discussing this with my CI afterward. He nodded and said "my brother used to call this place his therapy." Quite fitting.

[JR 137]

Interesting topic; glad that you started it, Melau!!

Two of Karate's most profound principles are similar to what you're speaking about. Mizu No Kokoro [Mind Like the Water] and Tsuki No Kororo [Mind Like the Moon].

I haven't heard those, but I've frequently heard Mu Shin - No mind.

[Spartacus Maximus]

The state of mind often commonly called moving zen or meditation is not as complicated or esoteric as many seem to make it out to be. It is simply the highest level of mental concentration and physical awareness. This is what happens when trained movements are executed as natural reflexes while the person's mind remains aware of the wider environment. It allows training to "take over".

Although it is often mentioned in the context of martial arts or combat, it is not limited to this field. This type of focused awareness is also experienced by professional athletes or surgeons or any other people requiring a high level of concentration and relying on trained, automated ingrained techniques.

[JR 137]

The state of mind often commonly called moving zen or meditation is not as complicated or esoteric as many seem to make it out to be. It is simply the highest level of mental concentration and physical awareness. This is what happens when trained movements are executed as natural reflexes while the person's mind remains aware of the wider environment. It allows training to "take over".

Although it is often mentioned in the context of martial arts or combat, it is not limited to this field. This type of focused awareness is also experienced by professional athletes or surgeons or any other people requiring a high level of concentration and relying on trained, automated ingrained techniques.

AKA muscle memory.

Several elite athletes have said that when it really matters most, it's like time slows down/everything moves in slow motion. I remember Michael Jordan specifically saying this.

[Melau]

Interesting topic; glad that you started it, Melau!!

Two of Karate's most profound principles are similar to what you're speaking about. Mizu No Kokoro [Mind Like the Water] and Tsuki No Kororo [Mind Like the Moon].

It's good to finally know the Japanese terms for this. I know there are many descriptions / variations on this concept, but I didn't know these terms yet.

I don't know if it's moving zen or moving meditation, but the dojo is the only place I have ever gone to that I can completely leave the rest of the world behind. I don't have a single thought other than the task at hand. No job, wife, kids, deadlines, unfinished chores, nor anything else. It's been a very difficult few months; the dojo is the only place if feel disconnected from it all.

The same feeling that I often get! However in my experience it's not even really being 'disconnected', it's just not there. There is no 'outside' for the moment, no other place than the tatami / dojo. It's not often we get to experience it, but finding your 'happy place' can be mentally relaxing while simultaneously being focussed / aware.

[JR 137]

Interesting topic; glad that you started it, Melau!!

Two of Karate's most profound principles are similar to what you're speaking about. Mizu No Kokoro [Mind Like the Water] and Tsuki No Kororo [Mind Like the Moon].

It's good to finally know the Japanese terms for this. I know there are many descriptions / variations on this concept, but I didn't know these terms yet.

I don't know if it's moving zen or moving meditation, but the dojo is the only place I have ever gone to that I can completely leave the rest of the world behind. I don't have a single thought other than the task at hand. No job, wife, kids, deadlines, unfinished chores, nor anything else. It's been a very difficult few months; the dojo is the only place if feel disconnected from it all.

The same feeling that I often get! However in my experience it's not even really being 'disconnected', it's just not there. There is no 'outside' for the moment, no other place than the tatami / dojo. It's not often we get to experience it, but finding your 'happy place' can be mentally relaxing while simultaneously being focussed / aware.

Perhaps disconnected isn't the best choice of words. More like it temporarily ceases to exist. When someone's throwing a punch at me, I don't have time to think about how my wife aggravated me. When someone's throwing a kick, my daughters not listening to me doesn't enter my mind. When I'm working on a kata, my job doesn't exist. Who thinks about the house being a mess or dishes needing to be done when you're on your knuckles doing push-ups on the hardwood floor? I don't.

[Bulltahr]

Perhaps disconnected isn't the best choice of words. More like it temporarily ceases to exist. When someone's throwing a punch at me, I don't have time to think about how my wife aggravated me. When someone's throwing a kick, my daughters not listening to me doesn't enter my mind. When I'm working on a kata, my job doesn't exist. Who thinks about the house being a mess or dishes needing to be done when you're on your knuckles doing push-ups on the hardwood floor? I don't.

I know exactly what you are talking about, even my daughter who trains with me complains that it's like she is not even there for me when I am training. There are not a lot of things out there that can demand such high levels of concentration, pretty much all the time.

[Spartacus Maximus]

Sometimes it is described as "wide focus". The best way it has ever been explained to me is by comparing it to driving a car. When driving, one must be focused yet avoid concentrating on a single point. To remain in control of the car and avoid accidents, it is necessary to be aware of many things at once as well as one's position and direction. A skilled and experienced driver will know where everything is without having to divert attention and will be able to do two or three things at a time without actively thinking or looking. That is the essence of "moving zen".