While much has been written about the idea and concept of Mushin, the original phrase, Mushin no Shin has received little explanation. It is probably this that has led to a lack of understanding in regard to the actual nature of the mind, which the properly trained martial artist should possess.
For most people Mushin simply means, ‘no mind’ and is interpreted in the context of eliminating all extraneous thoughts and while this is a significant interpretation, it is not the only one, nor is it really the most imperative one. However, let us start with this interpretation, since it is so important.
Especially when engaged in a self defense situation, but also when driving a car and meeting an unforeseen situation, it is important to be able to keep the mind clear of unnecessary thoughts, so that you can react appropriately without hesitation. In example, if an attacker is threatening you and you think, ‘man, that guy is big’, if he actually throws a punch at you during that thought, you cannot react. This is known as a Suki, or gap, a moment in time when you physically cannot move because your mind is so engaged in an internal dialogue, that you must quit the mental activity, before you start the physical movement. Originally I was taught that this was a ‘dead time’.
When it is possible for a Kiyojute Ryu Kempoka to keep their mind clear, then no matter what happens, the martial artist can react calmly and appropriately to the situation. This is the main and beginning aspect of Mushin.
Beyond this though there are more important aspects of the concept of Mushin which also allows for the greater idea of Mushin no Shin. First of all, it is necessary to understand the deeper context of Mushin and why this must be developed to have the ‘mind of no mind’ which is the full definition of Mushin no Shin.
Mushin can also be translated, innocent. Now many might not understand this statement, but it is the more important interpretation from a spiritual point of view and even from a self defense point of view.
Let us look at the self defense aspect first. A lack of innocence can be seen in the characteristics of prejudice, chauvinism, and intolerance. Prejudice means to have a preconceived notion of someone. Chauvinism generally refers to a tendency to have negative concepts in regard to the opposite sex. Intolerance is to assume that people who are different than you are less than you are and thus worthy of your distain, condemnation, and even, hatred.
These preconceptions will almost always result in mistakes being made in life and even in self defense. In example, suppose a person is prejudice against a certain race. They may assume that someone of that race coming towards them is harmful and react with unnecessary violence, harming an innocent person. On the other side, they may assume that a person of their own race is to be trusted and thus have their guard down, being open to an attack.
A true story will help to illustrate the danger in chauvinism. A rather large man was walking down the street, when he saw two women standing on a stairway a little way ahead. He thought, ‘two little women, they’re no threat’ and started to walk past them. One stepped out and asked a question, while the other stepped up behind him and stabbed him in the back. He was severely injured and ended up in intensive care. He admitted, had it been two men, he would have crossed the street and passed by on the other side. His chauvinism almost cost him his life.
Intolerance is the reason for all of the terrorism happening throughout the world today. If everyone would allow others to believe differently and just live their own faith, then we could prove the value of our faith by it’s worth in enriching our individual lives. That should be the test of any philosophy or religion. When a person’s life is fulfilled, then their belief system is proven. When a person’s way of life leads them into conflict with others, their faith has already failed.
Intolerant people fight trying to prove they are right, but winning a fight, war, or battle, does not actually prove anything. If a person says that a blue mat is red and they are disputed by another, even if they beat that person up, they are still wrong. By the same token, if a person says the blue mat is blue and they are beaten up, they are still right.
This is the reason why the only reason to use one’s martial art is defense. If someone who is prejudice, chauvinistic, or intolerant, attacks you, your family, or an innocent, then you are justified in defending your life and well being, as well as, those of your family or an innocent.
As Sun Tzu and Miyamoto Musashi pointed out, it is necessary to look at the small in order to understand the large. Even a country should only use it’s military force in defense of it’s nation. Aggression in a nation is usually based on the three above mentioned concepts. No nation can allow itself to become aggressive simple because of different ideology. Only if there is a real need to stop an aggressive nation, or to assist another nation in defending itself, should any nation engage in warfare.
This is why Mushin is so necessary from a self defense and spiritual perspective. It is possible to be a very devout, religious believer and still be full of prejudice, chauvinism, and intolerance. Sadly we see this in all too many religions. Mushin can help a religious person actually grow ‘in grace and knowledge’.
Mushin is the elimination of the negative within one’s mind, hence a return to innocence. As a Christian, I see this as the idea expressed by Jesus when he said we must become as little children. It is not an innocence of ignorance, in the way a child does not know, but rather it is in the innocence of having no prejudice, chauvinism, or intolerance.
When little children play together, they don’t notice color, or ask about religion, or even notice the difference between boys and girls. They just relate to the other human being, freely and without discrimination. This is the way Kiyojute Ryu Kempoka should be. No discrimination, only a seeing of reality.
Now once Mushin is achieved, then the power of the mind is really released. This is why the full phrase is Mushin no Shin, mind of no mind. This mind is very important and is what could be called mindfulness.
How many times have you seen a beginner throw a lunge punch and while the punching arm is ramrod straight and full of power, the other hand drops limply to the side. Then there is the student who is practicing a throw, and during the course of the throw, the body is strong and powerful, but just as the throw ends, the person loses strength, then balance, and the beginner falls down.
In Tai Chi Chuan, there is a saying, ‘the Yi leads the Chi’. This Yi refers to the will power of the Shin, mind, and infers that Ki, the internal spiritual strength of the martial arts and life, can only be throughout the body when the Kiyojute Ryu Kempoka is ‘mindful’. What this means is that the mind must be present throughout the entire body, so that the Ki can empower each and every part of the body, in each and every move.
This is why actors can be taught the movements of the martial arts in a short six months, so that they really look good on the big screen. Yet they don’t have the real power of a true martial artist. They have the moves, but without the Ki and this is because they don’t have the Shin.
Before the Shin can be present, so that the Ki is throughout the body, once must first achieve Mushin. Once the mind is clear and innocent, then Shin can direct the Ki throughout the body, empowering all of the Waza one knows, whether striking, grappling, or weapon handling.
This is why, while some people are good at basic martial arts, they seem to miss achieving the higher levels. When a person refuses to achieve Mushin, that is let go of their prejudice, chauvinism, and intolerance, they slow their development. When a person refuses to quiet their minds and quit thinking of unnecessary trivialities, no matter how much they train, they can only go so far.
At the higher levels of the martial arts, the achievement of Mushin is essential to spiritual development, but also to superior martial arts ability. I remember a young man I knew years ago, he wanted desperately to be the greatest fighter of all, a very immature desire. But he kept trying to find the training that would make him ‘unbeatable’, trying one wild form of training after another. Yet he always met defeat in some manner, seeking to be undefeatable. He never thought that it was his very desire, his preoccupation, in essence his discrimination between himself and his supposed enemies, that put him into conflict with others leading to his defeat at their hands.
Mushin no Shin is empowering, physically and spiritually. The achievement of this attribute first and foremost makes a person peaceful. The desire to fight is replaced by the desire to train and master oneself. Mushin no Shin is the innocence of the human spirit as it was intended to be and the source of the empowered being that God wants for us.
Kiyojute Ryu Kempoka seek to achieve Mushin no Shin as part of their Kempo training. They are aware that if they really want to achieve the higher levels of the martial arts, they must achieve this mental state. More importantly Kiyojute Ryu Kempoka seek Mushin so Shin so that they can develop mentally and spiritually thus achieving a closer relationship with God.