Staying Focused with Zanshin
What is staying focused with zanshin really mean ? I have really got inspired over the years by some of the most amazing Japanese philosophies. That are so valuable not only in martial arts but also in life. Recently I delved into the concepts of Kaizen and Mushin. But now let’s take a deeper look into a term in Japanase called Zanshin.
The literal translation of zanshin is “remaining mind’ or ‘remaining spirit’ and in the wider sense relates to the mind means to remain fully alert and totally aware of your surroundings. Zanshin is not exclusive to karate. But can be also in various other daily activities, jobs (soldiers, police or security) and other martial arts.
THE STORY OF ZASHIN
In the 1920s, a German professor named Eugen Herrigel moved to Japan to teach philosophy at a university in a city called Sendai, near Tokyo. To deepen his understanding of Japanese culture, Herrigel began training in Kyudo, the Japanese martial art of archery. He was taught by a legendary archer named Awa Kenzo. Kenzo was convinced that beginners should master the fundamentals of archery before attempting to shoot at a real target, and he took this method to the extreme. For the first four years of his training, Herrigel was only allowed to shoot at a roll of straw just seven feet away. When Herrigel complained of the incredibly slow pace, his teacher replied:
“The way to the goal is not to be measured. Of what importance are weeks, months, years?”.
When he was finally permitted to shoot at more distant targets, Herrigel’s performance was dismal. The arrows flew off course and he became more discouraged with each wayward shot. During a particularly humbling session, Herrigel stated that his problem must be poor aim. Kenzo, however, looked at his student and replied that it was not whether one aimed, but how one approached the task that determined the outcome.
Frustrated with this reply, Herrigel blurted out, “Then you ought to be able to hit it blindfolded.” Kenzo paused for a moment and then said, “Come to see me this evening.”
Archery in the Dark
After night had fallen, the two men returned to the courtyard where the practice hall was located. Kenzo walked to his usual shooting location, now with the target hidden in the dark. The archery master proceeded through his normal routine, settled into his firing stance, drew the bow string tight, and released the first arrow into the darkness.
Recalling the event later, Herrigel wrote, “I knew from the sound that it had hit the target.” Immediately, Kenzo drew a second arrow and again fired into the night. Herrigel jumped up and ran across the courtyard to inspect the target. Kenzo had hit a double bullseye without being able to see the target.
Everything Is Aiming
Great archery masters often teach that “everything is aiming.” Where we place our feet, how we hold the bow, the way we breathe during the release of the arrow — it all determines the end result. Awa Kenzo, the master archer was so focused on the moment. That led to a perfect bullseye, that he was able to replicate the exact series of internal movements even without seeing the external target. This complete awareness of the body and mind in relation to the goal is known as Zanshin.
STAYING FOCUSED WITH ZANSHIN IN KARATE
If we focus on the philosophy of zanshin for karate for a brief moment. We might be able to get a better understanding of this philosophy from an old Japanese saying; “When the battle is over, tighten the chin strap”. What does this mean, you might ask? Well it refers to a period after combat when you would naturally want to relax. The threat may not be over however. This is why we should always maintain a state of constant awareness and preparedness for any other threats or dangers that may occur. If we take this mindset not only from inside the dojo, but also out in the real world. We would realise that by being in a constant state of awareness is the essence of self defence and self reflection.
If you find yourself under threat this moment is critical. The full explosion of energy must be naturally followed by a complete and heightened readiness; A state of emptiness of pre-conception that can react rapidly to anything; A state of natural preparedness that causes one technique to flow into the next, with a powerful spontaneity. This is the art of staying focused with zanshin.
HOW THIS CAN HELP
Now zanshin known as the continued state of spirit, mental alertness and physical readiness to meet the situation (such as an opposing attack) that must be maintained when one returns to ready, after attacking. It is an essential element in defining a good attack.
During the practice of karate, the way to practice zanshin is to focus on the taken down opponent, while still holding your ready position. Doing this maintains awareness, in case there are additional attacks or more than one attacker.
ZANSHIN IN THE ANIMAL KINGDOM
It amazes me, how perfectly so many animals embodies this state of readiness. Effortlessly and flawlessly. Have you ever watched a lion in a documentary or even your own house cat? They can go from relaxed to engaged; from stealth to predator in the blink of an eye.
Even an alpha wolf that has to fight off the threat from a lone wolf trying to attack the pack. The Alpha will pin its attacker to the ground and hold it there baring its teeth. As a way of showing its strength and dominance. Even if the lone wolf submits and the threat is no longer there. The alpha wolf will hold its position and stay alert incase another attack takes place.
HOW CAN I APPLY THIS TO YOUR DAILY LIFE?
So how do you take concept of staying focused with Zanshin mindset and apply it to daily life?
Here are some important concepts to work on your own sense of Zanshin & apply it to your personal situation.
Realise that each individual has a in build power and that is the power of intuition. An uncanny sense of being able to feel what is important and what could be a potential threat to your safety. If you sat down and thought about the times in your life that intuition or your gut instinct have proved to be right. Your intuition is important in all aspects of life and super important, if you are to grow in martial arts.
Believe that you are the head and not the tail. It’s essential that we learn the ability to grow and adapt . But in order for this to happen, you must concentrate on the positive qualities and getting rid of the negative. By having faith in your own ability to triumph over adversity. It always reminds me of the saying “ When the going gets tough, the tough gets going”. If you want to win in any areas of your life; start by believing that you will win, even when training in private! Sometimes winning is just being willing to grow, through a challenging situation. And never giving up on yourself.
WHY IS STAYING FOCUSED WITH ZANSHIN IMPORTANT?
Instincts are powerful. I remember one time when I was a teenager and had strong feeling about a certain parked car, even though I couldn’t see anything or anyone suspicious. My intuition told me not to go near this car, as it a bad vibe. Had I not paid attention to this feeling. When I decided to cross the road as a safety precaution, the 3 guys that jumped out when I was halfway across would have given me a rude awakening.
That one hunch saved my life. Learn that spidey sense is not only the gift of Spider man. It is yours as well. I always taught intuition to my kids this way. Practice listening to your instincts. Our life is often layered and the realisation you need maybe just under the observable surface. Hunches are powerful in life and especially in the dojo. Learn to pay attention to them.
LOOKING AT THE BENEFITS
One of the side benefits of the philosophy of zanshin is avoiding pitfalls. Think about it like this. Wouldn’t you rather avoid standing on the edge of a cliff, with no safety rails. Then trying to figure out how to survive the fall. Having a sense when something has a bad vibe is not always something you can measure or explain. Just learn that to trust that feeling and pay attention to that hunch. Remember It is a mistake to keep going when your gut instinct tells you something is wrong. Learning when to be cautious is a powerful protective property of zanshin.
What about a compass. A hiker will always carry with him this device that always points true north. There is kind of reliability in nature and stops you from getting lost. But this is also true in our life, as well. Just remember, think of it as your intuition is your internal compass. There is an internal sense of direction that will not fail you, if you learn to follow your instincts.
VITAL TIPS OF APPLYING ZANSHIN INTO YOUR MARTIAL ARTS TRAINING
Here are some hints on how to work and staying focused with zanshin in your martial arts training:
- After you have practiced a certain technique, pause for a moment and feel what you feel. Is there a readiness, when your senses tell you that you can launch into your most powerful follow up technique.
- Practice tightening and loosening your muscles and core deliberately. Make sure you are completely focused when you strike. And completely relaxed, when you are between techniques.
- Learn that the body will move faster than the mind. Do not let conscious thought slow you down. Let go and Let it flow. You may just find you have more speed than you never dreamed of. When you move from your Zanshin moment.
- Practice doing the same technique repetitively, over and over. Building muscle memory. Note down when applying the technique when do you feel more efficiency, speed and power. Be proud yourself as you improve and adapt your skills.
- Have a period of time when you do your techniques meditatively, letting your best state of mind follow through into your execution.
- Improve your Bunkai (your breakdown) of the technique that you are practicing. Your readiness or zanshin will flow more freely, as you increase your understanding of the technique and all of its possible objectives and purposes.
- Practice explosiveness. Don’t just move. Power through . Let your built up kinetic energy snap, into the initiation of your technique. Just like a rubber band when you let it go.
WHY COMPLETE FOCUS IS THE KEY TO YOUR SUCCESS
One of our challenges as humans is it can be so easy to get distracted not only mentally but also the things going on around us.
In order to truly embrace the success of zanshin depends on complete focus, having a specific goal and then the determination to figure out how to do it, how to make the necessary adjustments and then going for it. This practice and principle has been of zanshin has been around for centuries.
Here is a tale that shows the power of staying focus.
In Mahabharata, we know the great teacher Dronacharya, who teaches and trains Pandavas and Kauravas during their childhood. Once when some of his students accuse Dronacharya of always favoring Arjuna, the great teacher calls all his students and gives them a simple test. He places a wooden bird on a branch of a tree and students have to shoot the eye of the wooden bird in the tree.
He calls each student one by one, and before letting them release the arrow, he asks them what do they see. Some say they see wooden bird, some tree, some branches, some sky, some leaves and so on. Dronacharya then asks all of them all to lay down their bow and arrow. In the end, he calls Arjuna, whose confident reply was: “I only see the eye of the bird.” While all other students were distracted, Arjuna had set his eyes on his goal, the eye of the bird. He did not see anything else.
FINAL THOUGHTS ON STAYING FOCUSED WITH ZANSHIN
So you see ! Zanshin is not only a critical component in the mind and training of every good martial artist. But also the powerful mentality of anyone who would have perpetual success in all areas of life. I hope this article has helped you to discover the power of focus, mindset, insight and following your intuition. And that having made the discovery, you train to let this state of Zanshin, readiness be with you continually. As you are loose and ready to proactively adapt and respond to the ever changing situations around you, both in karate and in life. You will find greater power to perform. You will discover more explosive martial arts techniques and how to make your life dreams come true. Learning the true potential of staying focused with zanshin.