ZEN

[KarateKen]

How important are things like Zen meditation and visualization to your training? How do you find them beneficial?

[ashworth]

Haven't looked too much into Zen Meditation, but regarding visualization, what is it exactly you are referring to? visualizing an opponent while you perform your techniques? that's very beneficial, helping to ensure your techniques are aimed at the correct areas.

But this also reminds me of what I call 'image training' where I focus my mind and imagine myself going through kata... This is good if you can't physically train, (maybe your injured or lack of space) but I find this a really good exercise to develop focus. It is actually quite difficult to go through an entire kata this way. (It could just be me with a brain that is very easily side tracked!) either picture yourself from first or third person, either will work, with students I suggest their first exercise can be to build their surroundings first, whether its your ideal personal dojo, or a peace field somewhere. Maybe just the dojo where you train... Try it yourselves, choose a kata and imagine going through every step, like I said, for me I find it helps develop my focus and remember my Katas, this can often highlight areas I know I need to practise... 

Interestingly I came across a video years ago, I believe it was talking about Chi Ghost. and they run you through a simple exercise, physically bend down and try and touch your toes. Then assume a comfortable meditative position and focus on your breathing, then while still breathing (obviously) imagine yourself getting up, and picture yourself going through stretches that you normally would, and then picture yourself bending down and touching your toes. Once you have finished, get up in the real world, bend down and trying and touch your toes... you should be able to get further than you did initially  

[bushido_man96]

I've never been good at visualization training.  I have trouble imagining things at times.  Sometimes I've been able to go through material in my head, but that's about it, and I have trouble with directional orientation when doing it.

I've never been one to meditate, either.  However, some breathing exercises is something we do in Aikido from time to time, and it seems to be helpful, and I work on breathing exercises at times when I'm driving.

[sensei8]

We do Mokuso, meditate, right before and after class for several minutes in order to clear our minds and thoughts that fall in line with Mizu No Kokoro (Mind Like Water) and Tsuki No Kokoro (Mind Like the Moon) which are integrated into Zen and MA and are inter-related to each other. We usually 

[KarateKen]

I guess visualization regarding the techniques.  I have used it for Katas, or my blocking, ect, typically the week of a belt test.  I don't do much of it, or much meditation, but sometimes it can be helpful. 

[Montana]

I was asked this question many times by new students, whether we mediated or not.

We don't.

I've seen many classes where they mediate before, or after class, to prepare themselves mentally to train. I find that concept troubling because you're teaching yourself a bad habit IMO. Sure, mediate before class, or after, but if you HAVE to meditate to get yourself in the right frame of mind, then what are you going to do when a thug confronts you on the street and wants a fight?

"Pardon me sir, may I be allowed to meditate for 10 minutes before we engage in combat?" You need to get into that fighting, combat mindset IMMEDIATELY!

[sensei8]

Well, in a real-life situation it's all about taking care of business, which means there's no time to meditate. Like Ed Parker said..."He who hesitates, meditates horizontally". Save the meditation for the dojo because there's less opportunity to get blindsided by a dojo-mate...unless you're in a Pink Panther Movie. 

[KarateKen]

On 10/30/2024 at 11:25 PM, Montana said:

I was asked this question many times by new students, whether we mediated or not.

We don't.

I've seen many classes where they mediate before, or after class, to prepare themselves mentally to train. I find that concept troubling because you're teaching yourself a bad habit IMO. Sure, mediate before class, or after, but if you HAVE to meditate to get yourself in the right frame of mind, then what are you going to do when a thug confronts you on the street and wants a fight?

"Pardon me sir, may I be allowed to meditate for 10 minutes before we engage in combat?" You need to get into that fighting, combat mindset IMMEDIATELY!

Never thought about this before but I understand it.  I've trained in schools where we never do it, and schools where we always do it before and after class.  I prefer to not do it as part of the training. 

Edited November 9 by KarateKen

[bushido_man96]

As an instructor, with students paying for their time with the school, I feel I should offer as much to their training as I possibly can.  I don't feel like spending the first 5 or 10 minutes of class sitting quietly and meditating is the most efficient use of that time.  I'd much rather get them started on the physical training.  If students would want to show up early to meditate for a few minutes before class, I would encourage that.

[KarateKen]

On 11/8/2024 at 9:48 PM, bushido_man96 said:

As an instructor, with students paying for their time with the school, I feel I should offer as much to their training as I possibly can.  I don't feel like spending the first 5 or 10 minutes of class sitting quietly and meditating is the most efficient use of that time.  I'd much rather get them started on the physical training.  If students would want to show up early to meditate for a few minutes before class, I would encourage that.

Fair enough.