Mind like water

Pokhara - Phewa Lake, originally uploaded by heartthatbeats.

The martial arts to the uninitiated convey only fights, winning and violence. However, the truth could not be farther!

The driving thought behind karate is to make fight unnecessary.

The art and the execution of t he skill in karate is not in the hands or even the belt that the 'fighter' wears. It is in the mind. In the heart.

When you see smooth, undisturbed, deep waters- you see everything faithfully reflected from the surface. A calm mind likewise sees and reflects all that is within its range. See the lake? See the sky and the trees? And the high mountains? All are contained within the lake as if an integral part of it!

The calm mind accurately forms an image of the opponent. The opponent's movements, force and even psychology are equally faithfully reflected from the waters of a stilled and deepened mind. Time seems to slow down. Analysis of each component of attack is easy and complete even before the attack actually starts.

The response to the well reflected opponent, then is correct, adequate and appropriate.

Neither too little nor too much. Just enough.

Is this not what life requires us to master?

Reflect calmly. Respond adequately.

A mind that is not calm is manifested by a body that is not under control. The body is tightly wound like a spring. It not only leaves open an opportunity to be attacked, it also responds inappropriately to an attack.

Too little or too late.

Just as the water can be calm in a deep ocean as well as catastrophic in its destructive power when in motion, so the mind must simultaneously maintain the opposites. Be capable of reflection and force.

Seen the artistically stupendous movie "Hero"? It illustrates this concept of clarity and slowing down of time repeatedly. And breathtakingly.

Try.

Train to make your mind like the water.

Karate or not.

MIZO NO KOKURU....