No-mindness - mushin no shin
abracad, · Categories: books, spirituality
Suzuki's classic Zen and Japanese Culture talks at length about the unlikely relationship between the peaceful Buddhist faith and the brutality of the Samurai swordsman. It seems the most effective swordsmen had to go beyond mere mastery of technique to cultivate a state of mind known as 'mushin no shin', or no-mindness. In this state there is no conscious thought, no attempt to analyse the opponent's movements nor to consider their own. Instead the conscious mind is emptied or switched off with control being handed to the "unconscious". I guess this means our Spiritual essence takes over with the body becoming like a robot.
Luckily most of us will never have to face the life and death struggles so familiar to the Samurai. But we can all benefit from cultivating mushin no shin. We tend to feel and think too much. In Jungian terminology we rely too much on emotion and intellect, and not enough on intuition (and sensation).
The modern technologically-driven world over-emphasizes intellectual analysis. Sure, this has put men on the moon and found cures for many diseases. But it hasn't found a way to get people to co-exist in peace, and neither are its methods appropriate to many of the subjective questions humans face.
At such times we can over-analyze, think too much. Instead, there comes a time to put the matter to one side, embrace the situation, question etc. without thought or feeling. Just respond instinctively.
No-mindness is no excuse for inadequate preparation for life's events (eg not studying for an exam) nor for failing to acquire and continue to acquire a good education and broad experience. Such things are essential, for when we submit to the unconscious it is our prior knowledge that will be drawn on in determining our actions.
See also:
Filed in: books, spirituality
Leave a Reply