Have you ever heard the word "Zanshin"? It's a familiar term for those practicing Japanese martial arts. Literally, it reads “lingering mind," but it has two meanings. The first is a sense of regret or lingering affection. The second refers to the mindset in martial arts of maintaining alertness even after a movement is completed. While it translates to "leaving the mind behind," the implications can be quite different.
Takano Sasaburo, a revered master of modern Kendo, explains Zanshin as follows:
"Zanshin means to leave the mind behind without intention. It's not Zanshin if you plan to leave your mind from the beginning. For example, if you want to leave a single drop of water in a cup, tilting and discarding the water gradually will leave nothing behind. However, if you throw it all out at once, a drop remains. If you conscientiously empty it, nothing will stay; something remains only when you discard it unconditionally. Zanshin that is intended is not true Zanshin. True Zanshin is what remains only after you have fully executed the strike."
Zanshin is more than just a martial arts technique; it's a way of life. It's not just about what happens after you make a move, but about staying connected with the flow of life. Zanshin shows us that being truly present and aware doesn't come from holding on tight, but from letting go completely and giving our all. It's about finding a balance between trying hard and letting things happen naturally, where being fully engaged comes naturally from living with all our heart. So, Zanshin is like a life lesson, teaching us that being fully involved and letting go in each moment is the key to staying mindful and finding inner peace.
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