Wednesday, November 14, 2007
How beautiful this is
Zanshin means "the remaining mind" and also "the mind with no remainder". This is the mind of complete action. It is the moment in kyudo after releasing the arrow. This is "Om makurasai sowaka" in oryoki practice and drinking the rinse water. In shodo, it is finishing the brush stroke and the hand and brush moving smoothly off the paper. In taking a step, it is the weight rolling smoothly and the next step arising. In breathing in completely, it is this breath. In breathing out completely, it is this breath. In life, it is this life. Zanshin means complete follow through, leaving no trace. It means each thing, completely, as it is.
Read the whole thing in Without Hesitation
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2 comments:
Very nice definition of zanshin. My first sensei told me that zanshin was the ripples in a pond reaching the edge of the pond after you threw a pebble in it.
I like the emphasis on the "no reminder".
If I may add, "in Aikiken it is when the cut is done and there is nothing left. No tension, no intent just stillness".
Now, if only I could do that.
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