“[..] there are many quotes that refers to Zen in relation to martial arts and life.” ??
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Morio Higaonna 10th dan Goju Ryu
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“A quiet mind is more important than a positive mind.” ~ Deepak Chopra
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An overcrowded and stressed mind blocks the flow of peace, clarity, wisdom and creativity more than we realize.
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A quiet mind, on the other hand, is calm and relaxed, clearer, and opens a path to deeper levels of learning, understanding, insight and intuition.
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A calm, relaxed and clear mind is of the utmost importance to a martial artist. As such, learning to quiet our minds is one of the most restorative, renewing and transforming activities we can learn how to do. And it should be part of our daily karate training. It is through a quiet mind that our physical training, our mental and emotional lives are improved. Learning to quiet the mind is an important life skill.
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We’ve all been conditioned to stay busy, keep moving, earn and achieve more. Yet most of us are actually uncomfortable with silence. All it takes is a willingness to still our minds, a willingness to be calm, a willingness to be mindful, just for a moment.
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“The key is how you react to your thoughts. If you focus on your thinking, your mind is like an electric fan with thoughts blowing everywhere. When you focus on your breathing or your body, however, thoughts can come and go like clouds across a sky. You can look at them, realize they are just thoughts, and let them go.” ~ Victor Davich
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Being mindful, being quiet, means being present. Once you are present and centered and here, your mind will naturally quiet down.
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Make a commitment to creating a quiet mind, a consistent daily practice.
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? Photo Credit: IOGKF Goju Ryu