Eastern Philosophy: Japanese Martial Arts & Mental Development
The martial arts of Japan speak about mental development and also certain mental states or spiritual realizations that allow one to survive confrontation. Three of these mental or spiritual states are fudoshin, junanshin, and mushin. Fudoshin is the realization of equanimity or a state of mind where we are not disturbed by anything. It is like a mountain being stable despite fierce winds circling it. In this state of equanimity, thoughts such as a fear of danger, emotions, or obstacles do not disturb the person. Another mental state is junanshin and this can be translated as “flexibility of the mind.” If one is being attacked or is in conflict, instead of trying to fit a situation into our preconceived ideas of what should be the case, one is able to adapt appropriately, move freely, and not be attached to anything. Another mental state is mushin or “no mind” and this also relates to non-attachment and openness. Again, it is moving freely clinging to nothing. If we have very conceptual ways of thinking during a conflict and we plan what we are going to do to the other person by thinking such thoughts as, “If they punch, I’ll do this. If they grab me here, I’ll do that,” this emits an intent that the opponent can sense. In this case, they can take preemptive steps. Moving freely means not only moving freely physically, but mentally, being completely free. A famous figure of the Rinzai school of Zen Buddhism in Japan was Takuan Soho. He wrote about martial arts and Zen and also spoke about moving freely, being attached to nothing, and clinging to nothing.