Meditation for Martial arts

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aharris84

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So I started up a new-to-me dojo doing Okinawan Goju-ryu Karate-do and Okinawan Kobudo and Im liking it and all that. At the beginning of each class we start with five minutes of stationary meditation, which I have experienced at other martial arts studios, but I just started to think about it today.

The thing Im thinking about is this- Is stationary, physically relaxed meditation what people need these days? I am postulating that there was less of a disconnect between most peoples' bodies and minds in preindustrial times for the reason that they simply did more physical activity and their livelyhood often depended upon being able to manipulate their body. This is as opposed to today when quite a lot of people are completely unaware of their body and their work is completely mental. The point of this is that stationary/relaxed meditation seems to me to be able to create an even larger disconnect between mind and body (and really anything that is outside you) and the benefit of this in preindustrial times would have been to have students of martial arts be able to sit down and think objectivly about something through meditation. But today our brains are conditioned to do that from childhood and it seems that what would benefit martial arts students of today more would be a type of meditation that increases body awareness (specifically I am thinking of the Zhan Zhuang Chi Kung exercises).

Anyone have any thoughts on this? I am specifically thinking about meditation and as a tool for increasing the understanding of martial arts, but thoughts from people who use it for other things would be welcome as well.

Ps- Yea this is a double post from the Meditation forum, but I figured I would get more relevant, and just more, responses here.
 
I used to do Thai Chi when nobody was looking. I really had control of my body when I did it too! My balance was much better and I ussually had a feeling of relaxed confidence for hours afterwards.

I think the most beneficial forms of meditation are the ones that have you visualize what you are about to attempt to accomplish. A lot of meditation I have tried has encouraged a blank mind or complete focus on an imaginary light that begins at the head and works it's way through your body slowly relaxing everything it touches. Besides ralaxing the body and resting the mind, I just don't see the benefit of that type of meditation. I guess it could benefit in clearing your mind of any personal problems so that you may take in what your about to learn.

I do agree with you that we are far more out of touch with our bodies today than we were 20 years ago.
 
You're right, the mindset used most by martial arts is the "no mind" mindset. To do what you need to do with no other thought. This extends to many other facets of life, other than combat. Say you're a student, and you've worked on problems so much that come test day, you can solve the problems given to you with confidence and little other outside thought. This is to say, the "no mind" philosophy does not advocate mindlessness, because awareness is stressed.

An example would be if you were driving, and you knew more or less, what everyone around you was doing. If there's something that you must avoid in order to prevent an accident, you react. But you react such that you don't need to think of what to do, you just do it. And you do it with the context and frame in mind. You know that some movements will land you in the path of other cars or whathave you, so you simply don't do them.

This, I believe, is the reason Buddhism and martial arts are more harmonious with eachother than not. A lot of people will point out the contradictions that martial arts is made for violence and Buddhism is made for peace. Instead, I believe martial arts, among many other things, to be an effective and applicable method of meditation.


Thoughts:
Elusive and unreliable as it is, the wise man straightens out his restless, agitated mind, like a fletcher crafting an arrow. 33
Trying to break out of the Tempter's control, one's mind writhes to and fro, like a fish pulled from its watery home onto dry ground. 34
It is good to restrain one's mind, uncontrollable, fast moving, and following its own desires as it is. A disciplined mind leads to happiness. 35
A wise man should guard his mind for it is very hard to keep track of, extremely subtle, and follows its own desires. A guarded mind brings happiness. 36
The mind goes wandering off far and wide alone. Incorporeal, it dwells in the cavern of the heart. Those who keep it under control escape from Mara's bonds. 37
If he is unsettled in mind, does not know the true Teaching, and has lost his peace of mind, a man's wisdom does not come to fulfillment. 38
With his mind free from the inflow of thoughts and from restlessness, by abandoning both good and evil, an alert man knows no fear. 39
Seeing your body as no better than an earthen pot, make war on Mara with the sword of wisdom, and setting up your mind as a fortress, defend what you have won, remaining free from attachment. 40
Before long this body will be lying on the ground, discarded and unconscious, like a useless bit of wood. 41
One's own misdirected thought can do one more harm than an enemy or an ill-wisher. 42
Even your mother, father or any other relative cannot do you as much good as your own properly directed thought. 43
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-The Dhammapada, Thoughts.
 
You're right, the mindset used most by martial arts is the "no mind" mindset. To do what you need to do with no other thought. This extends to many other facets of life, other than combat. Say you're a student, and you've worked on problems so much that come test day, you can solve the problems given to you with confidence and little other outside thought. This is to say, the "no mind" philosophy does not advocate mindlessness, because awareness is stressed.
Click to expand...

This is exactly the goal that I think all martial arts strive for, its just that relaxed/stationary meditation hasnt ever been condusive to me, personally, reaching that goal (entirely possible I am not doing it right or coming about it from the wrong angle). I think the "no mind" mindset was best instilled into me during Army training and service, which is the polar opposite of most forms of meditation.
 
I also don't really like the new-agey definition of meditation. Their definition seems limited to me...

Taiji was never for me, on that note. It seemed like taiji was more conductive to an inflow of thoughts. When I do fast gong fu forms, all I think is: Strike. Block. Parry. Move. When I was learning taiji I was like "...okay...move like this...then do this stupid hand thing...man, this is boring..."
 
LeiYunFat said:
I also don't really like the new-agey definition of meditation. Their definition seems limited to me...

Taiji was never for me, on that note. It seemed like taiji was more conductive to an inflow of thoughts. When I do fast gong fu forms, all I think is: Strike. Block. Parry. Move. When I was learning taiji I was like "...okay...move like this...then do this stupid hand thing...man, this is boring..."
Click to expand...

Hah yeah I thought the same thing when I first started doing some of the exercises. Every now and then I still do but I really like the results.
 
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