zen in the art of dressage : zen quotes



  Joe Hyams


"In our lives today, we don't leave enough room for empty spots, for doing nothing. This concept of doing nothing, which has nothing to do with just not doing something, is also an activity and an exercise.
"Compare doing nothing to a pause in music. A pause is not a lack of music, it is an integral part of the composition. If a conductor does not hold a pause to the full value, it is like cutting into the flesh. As Claude Debussy has said, 'Music is the space between the notes.' The masters of good phrasing, like good martial artists, are men who pay as much attention to pause and silence (nonaction) as to action."
...
"Bruce laughed and said: "He's right, you know. That pause in the middle of action is one of my secrets, too. Many martial artists attack with the force of a storm without observing the effect of their attack on their opponent. When I attack, I always try to pause - stop action - to study my opponent and his reactions before going into action again. I include pause and silence along with activity, thus allowing myself time to sense my own internal processes as well as my opponent's.' "

" 'It' is the state of mind the Japanese refer to as mushin, which literally means 'no-mind'. According to the Zen masters, mushin is operating when the actor is separate from the act and no thoughts interfere with action because the unconscious act is the most free and uninhibited. When mushin functions, the mind moves from one activity to another, flowing like a stream of water and filling every space.'
"'And how does one attain this state of no-mindedness?' I asked.
"'Only through practice and more practice, until you can do something without conscious effort. Then your reaction becomes automatic.'"

"'The mind must always be in the state of 'flowing', for when it stops anywhere that means that the flow is interrupted and it is this interruption that is injurious to the well-being of the mind. In the case of the swordsman, it means death.
"When the swordsman stands against his opponent, he is not to think of the opponent, nor of himself, nor of his enemy's sword movements. He just stands there with his sword which, forgetful of all technique, is ready only to follow the dictates of the unconscious. The man has effaced himself as the wielder of the sword. When he strikes, it is not the man but the sword in the hand of the unconscious that strikes.' "

"Some martial artists achieve a state of awareness suggestive of a sixth sense; this is the total involvement in environment for which Zen practitioners aim. It produces a calmness and detachment even in the face of threatening situations, when fear or anger might seem the natural response. Because of his training, an expert martial artist reacts not in a personal way but almost like natural law. Lightning strikes so thunder booms; the wind blows and the tree bends; the attack comes and the response follows. 'It' happens."

"Relaxation and concentration go hand in hand. But too much concentration defeats itself. If you are truly relaxed, and allow the body and the unconscious to do their share, instead of working the conscious mind overtime, concentration can become effortless effort."

"What stands in the way of effortless effort is caring, or a conscious attempt to do well."

"To generate great power you must first totally relax and gather your strength, and then concentrate your mind and all your strength on hitting your target."



Return to the Zen Quotes Index.     Receive the Zen Quotes Newsletter.

zen in the art of dressage
home     newsletters     discussion lists     zen quotes     articles
store     gallery     resources     links

"ClassicalDressage.com" and "Zen in the Art of Dressage" are both productions of Shana Ritter and Dr. Thomas Ritter.
©2000-2001 ClassicalDressage.com, Shana Ritter     All Rights Reserved     Privacy Statement
Site design by Shana. Last Update: May 04, 2001