Professional paper
Philosophy of Zen and Martial Arts. From Awareness of the Movement to Immovable Mind
Nenad Vertovšek
orcid.org/0000-0001-8543-6580
; Department of Croatian and Slavic Studies, University of Zadar, Croatia
Abstract
Zen is a view of life, but it is important not to replace the view with the real living – the principles of calming the mind and improvement of the body training skills through the teaching and practice of Zen contribute not only to the Eastern culture, but also to the universal human heritage, particularly regarding the relationship between Teacher and students. Words of the Master and the readiness of students to learn in sports and martial arts – as they are in aikido, kendo, kyudo, karate, judo – are an essential Way to a noble and better man. Constant improvement of skills with a calm mind and highly precise body movements are meaningful only as a reflection of the released natural or acquired traits of character. Mind and body coordination, harmonization of mental abilities and physical accomplishments, are important in war times and also in everyday life. Both Zen and the martial arts are the reflection of our own mirror from which we everyday clean the dust.
Keywords
Zen; martial arts; philosophy of the East; coordination of mind and body; meditation; samuray code
Hrčak ID:
94725
URI
Publication date:
27.12.2012.
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