(1 minute 34 second read)

Both on the mat and in life, emotions can be a powerful force. They can fuel your movements, sharpen your focus, or cloud your judgment, leading to consequences you may not want.
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The key to navigating this emotional landscape lies in training the mind to be stronger than your emotions, for when emotions rule, you lose control, and with it, yourself.
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As a martial artist you must train your body to withstand blows, so too must you train your mind to be resilient against the onslaught of emotions. An often neglected skill.
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Fear, anger, and frustration can all cloud judgment, leading to rash decisions and missed opportunities.
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Most of us struggle to clear our thoughts because of what the Zen masters call the ‘Shikai’ (the four sicknesses), those unwanted emotions (Surprise, Fear, Doubt and Confusion).
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But through meditation, mindfulness exercises, and self-reflection, it can help to cultivate inner peace and emotional awareness, allowing you to respond thoughtfully rather than react impulsively.
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Whether in the dojo, or facing a competitor in a tournament, or in real-world self-protection, when facing a formidable opponent, fear might urge you to retreat, while anger might tempt you to attack recklessly.
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Consistent training of both mind and technique serves as the foundation of effective self-defense or competition success. It fosters composure under pressure, enabling deliberate strategic responses in the right context.
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And this mindset extends far beyond the dojo. In the everyday struggles of life, emotions can be equally destructive.
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When we are controlled by anger or fear, we easily make choices that harm ourselves and others.
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In its simplest guise, how many of you have hit the ‘send’ button and regretted it afterwards?….. You know who you are!
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If you’re in the martial arts primarily for self-defense, it’s vital to maintain control over your emotions – because fear and anger will be there, and allowing fear or anger to dominate, can cloud your judgment and lead to potentially dangerous outcomes.
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By trying to master your inner world, you can gain control of your outer world, controlling your actions and reactions. It is only through mastering our emotions that we can truly master ourselves.
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Train your mind to be stronger than your emotions or else you’ll lose yourself every time.
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Photo Credit: Zé Mário Goju-Ryu.
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Photo quote: unknown