Calling all martial arts masters!

Question

I'm supposed to write an essay on Zanshin, the state of mind when your mind is in complete and unbroken concentration and awareness. I need you guys to help me out a bit!!!

I'm not sure if this paragraph makes much sense about Zanshin. Could a martial arts master tell me if this is really what zanshin is really about???

Here the's paragraph. Let me know what you think masters!!!

Zanshin is mental and spiritual awareness in which ones mind is in unbroken concentration and total aware of its surroundings, and ready to react to anything. In the martial arts sense, this means connection to your opponents and complete awareness of what you are doing.

One example of zanshin is usually seen when one finishes a poomse. The last movement of the poomse is held a few seconds longer then returning to ready stance, which is also held for another few seconds before bowing. This can also relate to sparring. Say you throw a roundhouse, and then relax and think it’s over. This isn’t zanshin. If the same action was performed with zanshin, you would throw a roundhouse, and resume fighting stance and complete awareness.

Answer 1

Sounds like you've pretty much got it. It's the state of awareness during a fight. Sometimes it just refers to the body posture after the execution of a technique.

Answer 2

the difference between you and a master is this .you may experience it at the end of kata or during a sparring match while the master experiences zanshin every waking moment and some say even in their sleep.

like everything it requires practice the application of awareness of your surroundings and those people and things that inhabit it a kata of the mind you might say .

Answer 3

I wish we could end this madness!!!

Go to the library or just research on the internet. You're obviously trying to take the easy route.

This is a work that must come from you or it is not valid.  

Answer 4

I see many answers. Some good some not. I agree with Sensei. you should research the subject rather than take a bunch of opinions from Y/A. While some of them are good, several have no real idea what Sanshin is.

For what it is worth, I will give you this. It comes from a book called Budo Jiten, by Fredrick Lovret.

zanshin: Perfect Finish, the instant of mugen after a perfect technique.

There is no definition for the word mugen. It may be that it was supposed to be  muga-mushin.  If so here is waht it means.

muga-mushin: 1) Devoting all one's spirit to a technique, with no thought of ego or results.  2) An ecstatic state of mind.

Answer 5

I too am not in the realm of a master, but have some personal understanding and experience that might help with your situation. That said I think that you should take the time this weekend, if you have it, and go outside by yourself, and meditate on the subject. Watch an ant hill for some time. Focus on the ants until there is nothing else around you. Discover how they work in their little roadways, carrying things and removing dirt. Continue to watch until there is nothing, and everything. In this state you will be fully aware of what is happening, but will be at complete peace, and you will be devoid of other thought.

I would have to disagree with you that Zanshin is at the end of your form. It should be throughout the entire poomse, as it is of deliberate action with constant awareness in everything you do. Yes you have these "dead breath" moments at the end, but they are only an emphasis of what should be your total being. So just don't leave it to be that Zanshin is only at the very end of the entire form, when it is at the end of each technique. This is your reflection of what just happened, not fighting any thought, and leaving nothing behind and pushing nothing forward.

Answer 6

hmmmm..... I understand what you are talking about. You have the correct idea about what Zanshin is, but I think you can find a better way to describe it. Next time you experience Zanshin, take note of what you are completely aware of. Obviously you are more aware of the person in front of you than you are of the cricket at your foot. But note your breathing and where your main focus is really at. Try to find that stillness and hear your heartbeat. If you can really do this, I know you will not have a problem finishing your paper. Good luck!!

Answer 7

If you've ever experienced zanshin in another sport or at another moment in life, I'd add in a paragraph about that as well.  Think about how a pro basketball player feels when he makes that critical basket with 2 second on the clock.  Think about what mindframe that takes.  That's also zanshin.

Answer 8

First - I'm not a master by any measure - but I am a good student of martial arts philosophy and practicioner, so I feel confident giving some feedback.

Zashin (I always referred to is as "zazen") is the elimination of the active mind.  The removal of ego (which is how the "self" is defined), and the removal of thought leads to a state of simple being - many masters have described it as feeling connected to everything around them, while leaving their physical, mental, and emotional self behind - becoming one with their environment.  In other words, it is a moment in which one is completely spiritual.  

In practice your example of the Tae Kwon Do poomse or any other kata is fine - but the master-level student would strive that the entire form be done in a state of zanshin.  The pause before or after is a transition into or out of the relaxed, mindless state.  Again your example of sparring is a fine one - only the response, the kick, the punch or whatever would be done without the extra baggage of thought.  It is simply action - you don't throw the roundhouse then return to fighting stance - the roundhouse ends with you in a relaxed, ready and aware fighting stance.   It's a very fine distinction, but an important one.

So for your short essay, you have paragraph 1) Definition - I would add what language it is, and why people desire to achieve this awareness.  Paragraph 2) example - I would clarify a little more.  My notes above are my interpretation - you also do not define "poomse" in your essay, nor the environment in which poomse are performed.  Paragraph 3) I would summarize with a short anecdote or quote from a philosopher regarding zanshin.  Maybe a personal note about your sense of zanshin as well. "I have had glimpses of zanshin - catching a line drive, a perfect somersault, breaking my first board - it is elusive, but it really is a sense of perfect alignment and "one-ness".  When I consider these fleeting moments in my own life, I understand why some masters pursue the sensation - and why it is so hard to sustain."

Something like that.

Good luck with your essay - I hope my experience helps you toward what you need.