Something else I noticed while at kendo today were how some of the zen principles tied into swordsmanship, or rather how to apply them to the facilitation of attack and defence. In an earlier entery regarding Master Hui-Neng's comentary on the Diamond Sutra, and on the Hui-Neng Sutra I mentioned I understood that it was my minds preception that dictated what the data my eyes register.
I solved the koan "What is the sound of one hand clapping" - and in doing so at Kendo today I was able to successfully fend off Aaron for a good 5 minutes at a stretch, instead of the usual 30 seconds to a minute. A combination of Zen Koan enduced realization, and Musashi's "Suffocating Pillow" technique allowed me to manipulate Aaron's forarms and wrists to the point where I could force which way he would attack, and be able to barely move the tip of my sword to have to block it, and I did so by placing my sword in his guard each time so he couldn't attack with out loosing his hand.
Musashi's Technique was initially intended for offence, to relentlessly attack not allowing your opponent time enough to gather his wits to develope a sturdy defence, or gather his thoughts enough to find an opening for attack. I find though suffocating with a pillow for defencive means is an excellent stragey.
I applied this to nathan when he attacked me in parry practice. It bugged him I think, I wasn't able to hold him off for as long, but i was able to much more easily see his motions and predict his movements. Further, with the realization brought on by solving the koan I was able to adapt my techniques far easier because the mental barrier between my mind and my body was finally penatrated - theres now a clear vessel of understanding between my mind and my body. While I have not fully awakened, the murky deapth in my mind has cleared some, and my conceptual thinking is greatly enhanced. I can now see deeper into most things, and books on philosophy, conceptual thinking, or abstract contextual events make more sense. In terms of swordsmanship, my adaptability has now gained another level. In terms of my facination with nathan's thought process and way of life - I'm suddenly unsatisfied and disinterested with it entirely.
Today I realized that most of his experiance is good, but his judgement isn't as accute as I'd originally thought, and as a result viewing his life I can see many controdictions that work against eachother and keep him in place. He wants too many things, despite his insisting that he hates spending money, I see direct evidence to the contrary. But as we stated earlier, no one is perfect.
Anyhow, weeeeee. Zen. It's what's for dinner!
I solved the koan "What is the sound of one hand clapping" - and in doing so at Kendo today I was able to successfully fend off Aaron for a good 5 minutes at a stretch, instead of the usual 30 seconds to a minute. A combination of Zen Koan enduced realization, and Musashi's "Suffocating Pillow" technique allowed me to manipulate Aaron's forarms and wrists to the point where I could force which way he would attack, and be able to barely move the tip of my sword to have to block it, and I did so by placing my sword in his guard each time so he couldn't attack with out loosing his hand.
Musashi's Technique was initially intended for offence, to relentlessly attack not allowing your opponent time enough to gather his wits to develope a sturdy defence, or gather his thoughts enough to find an opening for attack. I find though suffocating with a pillow for defencive means is an excellent stragey.
I applied this to nathan when he attacked me in parry practice. It bugged him I think, I wasn't able to hold him off for as long, but i was able to much more easily see his motions and predict his movements. Further, with the realization brought on by solving the koan I was able to adapt my techniques far easier because the mental barrier between my mind and my body was finally penatrated - theres now a clear vessel of understanding between my mind and my body. While I have not fully awakened, the murky deapth in my mind has cleared some, and my conceptual thinking is greatly enhanced. I can now see deeper into most things, and books on philosophy, conceptual thinking, or abstract contextual events make more sense. In terms of swordsmanship, my adaptability has now gained another level. In terms of my facination with nathan's thought process and way of life - I'm suddenly unsatisfied and disinterested with it entirely.
Today I realized that most of his experiance is good, but his judgement isn't as accute as I'd originally thought, and as a result viewing his life I can see many controdictions that work against eachother and keep him in place. He wants too many things, despite his insisting that he hates spending money, I see direct evidence to the contrary. But as we stated earlier, no one is perfect.
Anyhow, weeeeee. Zen. It's what's for dinner!
posted by Renge at 6/02/2003 01:42:00 AM
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