More No-Mind

The Samurai Munenori gave one of the best descriptions of the state of 'no-mind' that I have read in his work 'The Life-Giving Sword'.

'A monk asked ancient worthy, "What is the Way?" The Worthy replied, "Your ordinary way, that is the Way."

When applied to the world of martial arts, when you think about your movement - attacking or defending then your movements will not be fluid or responsive. When you are in combat, if you don't think about what you are trying to do then your mind will be at ease.

A mirror is always clear and has no form, perfectly reflecting whatever is in front of it. The mind of a 'Man of the Way' is like a mirror: It does nothing and is perfectly clear. This is the ordinary mind. 'A man who accomplishes everything with the ordinary mind is said to be a master.'

No-mind is not having no mind at all, it is simply your 'ordinary mind'.

I have been reading this to Ethan 'in-utero' so hopefully he will be a good samurai warrior in a couple of years.

Nick
Yellow sash