The practice of Zen teaches that it is impossible to add anything more to a cup that is already full. If you pour in more tea, it simply spills over and is wasted. The same is true of the mind. A closed attitude, an attitude that say, "I already know," may cause you to miss important information. Zen teaches openness. Survival instructors refer to that quality of openness as "humility." from Deep Survival, by Laurence Gonzales.
When I was studying for my black belts during my two year tour in Korea many years ago, I learned one of the key things in individual combat is to slow everything down and to be aware of the strengths and speed of your opponent. Breath as though you are at rest and it will keep the heart and the mind from racing thus allowing your reactions to be relaxed. In many cases getting hit can be expected, but making sure you hit back with strength and focus maintains the sense that a fight isn't over until you can no longer get up.
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| Somewhere in the Atacama, 2002, no road, no sign, just the spirit to go forward. |
When I was studying for my black belts during my two year tour in Korea many years ago, I learned one of the key things in individual combat is to slow everything down and to be aware of the strengths and speed of your opponent. Breath as though you are at rest and it will keep the heart and the mind from racing thus allowing your reactions to be relaxed. In many cases getting hit can be expected, but making sure you hit back with strength and focus maintains the sense that a fight isn't over until you can no longer get up.
