武道家の内田樹氏が,著書の中で以前,武士はルーティンを生き,ルーティンを維持することで,ルーティン以外の危険を察知する,と言うようなことを述べていた。普段通りでないこと,普段とは異なることはまさに何らかの異常事態であり,ストレスである。それが身に危険をもたらすものであれば,回避か排除しなければならない。その異常に適切かつ素早く気づくためには,普段通りを日々トレースする。そうすることで,異常が際立ち,意識に止まる。敷衍すれば,この考え方は,生活をいかにシンプルにするか,という道教の思想と通じる。生活が複雑になればなるほど,アクシデントやストレスも増える。道家は,生活をシンプルにすること,つまり,自分や他者に干渉しないこと(無為),世の中の出来事に巻き込まれないこと(無事)を実践する。必要以上のことをしない。過剰な欲を捨てる。これはまた,仏教的な無私無欲にも通じる。私という欲が,ストレス(苦)を生む。だから私(=欲)を捨てれば,ストレス(苦)は生まれない。シンプルな生活をめざし,今ここのルーティンを一つ一つ味わう。それが武道家の理想的な姿である。
Tatsuru Uchida, who is a Japanese Budo-ka, stated in his book such fact that bushi (samurai) lived and maintained his daily routine, and then they noticed some dangers that are different from the routines. Something unusual, something different from the routines is just some kind of abnormal situation, or stress. If it is harmful for us, we must escape from or remove it. In order to be aware of the abnormal situation appropriately and quickly, we trace the usual things in daily life. If so, then something abnormal will stand out and be noticed. Extensively, this way of thinking is consistent with a Taoist thought of simplifying our life. The more complicated our life is, the more accidents and stress we face. Taoists practice simplifying their life; not interfering themselves or others (mui in Japanese, wuwei in Chinese), and not getting entangled with the activities of the world (buji in Japanese, wushi in Chinese). They do no more than they need to. They do not have excessive desires. Such Taoist thought has much in common with "no self and no desire" in Buddhism. The desire of "self" creates stress or "ku"(distress). So, if we eliminate "self" (desire), stress (distress) will not arise. We should seek for simple life, and taste each of the here-and-now routines. That is an ideal attitude of Budo-ka.
A Japanese psychologist and mindful martial artist, SHINTARO YUKAWA's personal essays on martial arts and ways as well as mindfulness, Zen and Tao, written both in Japanese and English. I will explore here the truth and quintessence of martial arts and ways, and hope you will know and share them. マインドフル・マーシャル・アーツ:禅とタオ (湯川進太郎・身体心理学)
June 09, 2014
May 19, 2014
Master 達人
武道の達人は,強そうに見えない。逆に言えば,見るからに強そうな人は,達人ではない。自分で自分を強いと主観的に認識していて,それを意識的意図的に表に出す,つまり,他者に向けて強さをアピールするのは,まず問題外である。当然,こういう人を達人とは言わない。そもそもこういう人を武道家とは言わない。重症な「武の病」である。次に,自分で自分を強いと主観的に認識しているけれど,意識的意図的には表に出ないように隠している,つまり,他者に向けて意識的意図的には強さをアピールしようとはしていない人がいる。武道家としてあるべき方向性にはある。ただ,こういう人は,さらに二種類に分けられると考えられる。一方は,隠そうとする意図が失敗していて,他者に気づかれてしまっている人。要するに,無意識的非意図的に内心が滲み出てしまっている,漏れ出てしまっている人である。これでは結果的に,他者からは強く見えてしまう。したがって,まだまだ達人ではない。もう一方は,隠そうとする意図が成功して他者に気づかれない人。こういう人は見た目には強そうに見えないために,定義的には達人と言って良い。ただ,彼らは,自分自身で内心は強いと主観的に思っている。その意味で,本当の達人というのは,心の底から自分が強いなどとは到底思っていない,あるいはそもそも自分と他者を比較しない,強弱で物事を判断しない,そのため,結果的にまるで強そうに見えない人のことを真に達人と言うのではないだろうか。修行の果てに武道家として目指す境地は,そこである。
Masters of Budo do not seem to be strong. Conversely, individuals who appear strong are not masters of Budo. Firstly, when a person subjectively recognizes himself/herself to be strong and expresses the thought in a conscious and intentional way, or appeals it to others, he/she is the first to be out of the question. As a matter of course, those people are not called masters. To begin with, they are not called Budo-ka. They are affected with serious "martial disease." Secondly, there are some individuals who attempt to conceal or not to appeal his strength to others consciously and intentionally, though they subjectively consider themselves to be strong. They are at least in the right direction as Budo-ka. however, it can be thought that these people are divided into two types. One type of them fails to conceal his/her strength, which is then being noticed by others. In other words, they are those whose internal thoughts ooze out, or leak out unconsciously and unintentionally. This finally makes others see them to be strong. Then, they are still far from being masters of Budo. The other type succeeds in concealing his/her strength, which is then not noticed by others. These people may be called a master by definition, because they do not look strong. However, they subjectively consider themselves to be strong at heart. In this sense, real masters of Budo cannot possibly think of themselves as strong from the bottom of their heart, nor compare themselves with others fundamentally, nor make a judgment about anything on the basis of strength. Then, it may be real masters that people who consequently do not seem strong at all are. The state is where Budo-ka aim to go at the end of their practice.
Masters of Budo do not seem to be strong. Conversely, individuals who appear strong are not masters of Budo. Firstly, when a person subjectively recognizes himself/herself to be strong and expresses the thought in a conscious and intentional way, or appeals it to others, he/she is the first to be out of the question. As a matter of course, those people are not called masters. To begin with, they are not called Budo-ka. They are affected with serious "martial disease." Secondly, there are some individuals who attempt to conceal or not to appeal his strength to others consciously and intentionally, though they subjectively consider themselves to be strong. They are at least in the right direction as Budo-ka. however, it can be thought that these people are divided into two types. One type of them fails to conceal his/her strength, which is then being noticed by others. In other words, they are those whose internal thoughts ooze out, or leak out unconsciously and unintentionally. This finally makes others see them to be strong. Then, they are still far from being masters of Budo. The other type succeeds in concealing his/her strength, which is then not noticed by others. These people may be called a master by definition, because they do not look strong. However, they subjectively consider themselves to be strong at heart. In this sense, real masters of Budo cannot possibly think of themselves as strong from the bottom of their heart, nor compare themselves with others fundamentally, nor make a judgment about anything on the basis of strength. Then, it may be real masters that people who consequently do not seem strong at all are. The state is where Budo-ka aim to go at the end of their practice.
May 03, 2014
Mindfulness as Survival Skills 生き残る術としてのマインドフルネス
武道をするのは生き延びるためであり,生き延びるためには常日頃からあらゆることに鋭敏に意識を向けておく,というのが武道の奥義である。ただ,力尽きるほど神経質に全力で注意を向けるのではない。漫然と全方位的に向けておく。すなわち,マインドフルでいること,それが武道修行の本質であり,武道家としての姿である。身体の微細な感覚へ注意を向ける形の稽古によって心と身体を練る武道修行は,したがってそのままマインドフルネス訓練である。これが生き延びる力を養う。つまり,武道は何かに役立てようと思わなくても,結果的に(自然に),仕事や生活に大いに役立つ,そしてそれが生き延びることを促す,ということである。そうでなくては嘘である。もし武道をやっていると自分では思っていても,それが全く仕事や生活に役立っていなければ,つまり生き延びることを妨げていれば,その修行は嘘であり,本当の修行になっていない。あるいは,それは武道をやっているつもりで武道になっていないのかもしれない。例えば,武術を稽古することで自分の力を他者に誇示したくなり,結果,意識的にか無意識的にか,暴力的攻撃的な態度を他者に取ることで,必要のない争いを呼び込むという,武道家として本末転倒な結末を迎える人がいる。これではその修行は時間の無駄であり,さらには害悪でもある。しかし,これは本人がその症状に自覚的に気がつかない限り,何とも治療しがたい病気である。これを「武の病」と呼んでも良い。この「武の病」は,自覚(気づき)によってしか治らない。武道における強さとは,生き延びる力の高さである。まずはこの前提となる大原則に,はっきりと気がつかなければならない。
The reason why we practice Budo is for survival, and it is the secret of Budo that we always pay sensitive attention to everything for survival. But, we should not pay attention as nervously and energetically as we are exhausted. We should aimlessly pay omnidirectional attention to everything. That is, being mindful is an essence of the practice of Budo and a state of Budo-ka. Budo practice, where we polish our mind and body by training kata with attention paid to fine body sensations, is then mindfulness training as it is. This training develops our ability to survive. This means that Budo is very useful for both work and life in natural, and then resulting in increasing a probability to survive, even though we don't dare to use Budo for anything intentionally and consciously. Otherwise, it would be a lie. Even if a person believes that he/she practices Budo, the practice would be a lie or not be true if it did not help him/her engage in work and life at all or if it prevented him/her from surviving. Or, what he/she does might not be Budo, though he/she believes that it is Budo. For example, training martial arts makes some people come to intend to show their own skills. As a result, they encounter an unnecessary trouble or conflict by expressing violent or aggressive behaviors to others consciously or unconsciously. If they should be budo-ka, this would be putting the cart before the horse. In this case, their training is a waste of time, or rather harm. But, this is a disease difficult to be treated until they are subjectively aware of the symptom by themselves. This symptom can be called "martial disease." This "martial disease" can be cured by nothing but their own consciousness or awareness of it. The strength in Budo means a high ability to survive. First of all, we must be clearly aware of this great principle as a premise.
The reason why we practice Budo is for survival, and it is the secret of Budo that we always pay sensitive attention to everything for survival. But, we should not pay attention as nervously and energetically as we are exhausted. We should aimlessly pay omnidirectional attention to everything. That is, being mindful is an essence of the practice of Budo and a state of Budo-ka. Budo practice, where we polish our mind and body by training kata with attention paid to fine body sensations, is then mindfulness training as it is. This training develops our ability to survive. This means that Budo is very useful for both work and life in natural, and then resulting in increasing a probability to survive, even though we don't dare to use Budo for anything intentionally and consciously. Otherwise, it would be a lie. Even if a person believes that he/she practices Budo, the practice would be a lie or not be true if it did not help him/her engage in work and life at all or if it prevented him/her from surviving. Or, what he/she does might not be Budo, though he/she believes that it is Budo. For example, training martial arts makes some people come to intend to show their own skills. As a result, they encounter an unnecessary trouble or conflict by expressing violent or aggressive behaviors to others consciously or unconsciously. If they should be budo-ka, this would be putting the cart before the horse. In this case, their training is a waste of time, or rather harm. But, this is a disease difficult to be treated until they are subjectively aware of the symptom by themselves. This symptom can be called "martial disease." This "martial disease" can be cured by nothing but their own consciousness or awareness of it. The strength in Budo means a high ability to survive. First of all, we must be clearly aware of this great principle as a premise.
April 22, 2014
Swinging and then Converging Body 振幅し収斂する身体
形を練る,あるいは形を通して身体を練るとは,揺れながら収斂していく過程である。形を練るときには身体と対話するわけだが,このとき,ある点へと振れながら(揺れながら),つまり,身体と相談しながら,もしくは,身体の声を聞きながら,向かっていく。その点とはどこにあるのか。それは具体的にここと外側から措定できる場所ではなく,身体が内側から気持ちの良いと感じるところ,楽に感じるところ,つまり自然にあるところへと収斂していくそこがその点である。だから,個人個人によってそこの感覚は微妙に違うかもしれない。しかし,我々は個人間でほぼ同じ構造である人体を持つことを考えれば,「そこだ」というところは近い感覚,共通する感覚はあるだろう。これは,空手もそうだし,気功や座禅も同様である。だからこそ,<他者>である師によって「ある点」が身体とそれを補う言語で伝えられ,それを手がかりにして,その「ある点」へと<私>は揺れながら収斂していく。ただ面白いのは,気功や座禅と同様に,武術においても,ある点へと収斂しきることは決してなく,掴みそうだと思えば指の間からスルリとすり抜けていく。その点を永遠に探し続ける。その繰り返しである。だからこそ,永遠に続く武術修行は武を通した道となる。ただひたすらに揺れつつ収斂しつつ身体を練ることが,まさしく武道である。
Polishing kata, or polishing our own body through kata is a swinging and then converging process. When we polish kata, we have a dialogue with our own body. At this time, we are approaching to a certain point with feeling like swinging; discussing with, or listening to the voice of our body. Where is the point? It is not the place that can be pointed out concretely and outwardly, but the place or state that our body feels comfortable or relaxed inwardly; the point is a place or state that the feelings or perceptions of our body are naturally converging to. Therefore, the perception that we have at that point may subtly differ from person to person. But, Given that we have the body that has almost the same structure between individuals, each of the points that we individually perceive as being "there" may be close or shared. This fact is true of not only karate, but also qigong and zazen. Therefore, a master or teacher, who is <another>, imparts "a certain point" through the body with the supplementary words, and <I> am swinging and then converging to that "a certain point" according to the master's body and words. But interestingly, in martial arts as well as qigong and zazen, we never finish converging to a specific point, as if it slipped down through fingers like a haze before when we felt grabbing it by hand. We practitioners continue to search for the point eternally. We repeat it. Therefore, eternally continuing practice of martial arts will become the "way" (Do) using martial things (Bu). It is just Budo that is an activity intended to polish the body by swinging and then converging to a certain point.
Polishing kata, or polishing our own body through kata is a swinging and then converging process. When we polish kata, we have a dialogue with our own body. At this time, we are approaching to a certain point with feeling like swinging; discussing with, or listening to the voice of our body. Where is the point? It is not the place that can be pointed out concretely and outwardly, but the place or state that our body feels comfortable or relaxed inwardly; the point is a place or state that the feelings or perceptions of our body are naturally converging to. Therefore, the perception that we have at that point may subtly differ from person to person. But, Given that we have the body that has almost the same structure between individuals, each of the points that we individually perceive as being "there" may be close or shared. This fact is true of not only karate, but also qigong and zazen. Therefore, a master or teacher, who is <another>, imparts "a certain point" through the body with the supplementary words, and <I> am swinging and then converging to that "a certain point" according to the master's body and words. But interestingly, in martial arts as well as qigong and zazen, we never finish converging to a specific point, as if it slipped down through fingers like a haze before when we felt grabbing it by hand. We practitioners continue to search for the point eternally. We repeat it. Therefore, eternally continuing practice of martial arts will become the "way" (Do) using martial things (Bu). It is just Budo that is an activity intended to polish the body by swinging and then converging to a certain point.
April 09, 2014
Body Manipulation in Martial Arts 武術における身体操作
武術の稽古では,普段,我々が過ごしている日常生活では行わない動きを習うことが多い。例えば,突くにしても蹴るにしても,また,運足や体裁きにしても,日常生活では使うことのない動きである。それらは,普段行わない動きであるが故に,一見(最初は),無理のある不自然な動きに感じられる。しかしそれは普段行っていないがために不自然で無理があるように感じられるのであって,実際はそうではない。武術の動きは,自然の理に沿った動きである。別のいい方をすれば,武術の動きとは,重力のある地面の上という条件の下,骨格と筋肉からなる二足歩行の人間という動物が,いかにして合理的に動くことができるかを追求した動きである。ここでの合理性とは武の合理性,すなわち,最低限の動きと最小限の力でもって,いかにして効率的に敵を制することができるかという意味である。その意味で,武術の動きは自然の理に適った効率的なものとして構成されている。逆にいえば,そのように構成されていない(例えば,無駄の多い華美で不自然な)動きは決して武術的ではない。このように,普段の日常生活で行わないから不自然なのではなく,自然な動きの範疇で,普段行ってこなかった動きを稽古するのが,武術修行である。
In the practice of martial arts, we often learn movements that we do not usually make in our everyday life. For example, punching and kicking, or foot and body maneuver in martial arts are movements that we do not use in our daily life. These are movements that we do not usually do, so at first, seemingly, we can feel that they are unreasonable unnatural ones. We just feel as if they were unreasonable and unnatural because we have not made these movements, but actually, the fact is not like that. Movements of martial arts are the ones along the way of nature. In other words, movements of martial arts are the ones pursed by us human beings, who are the animals who have bones and muscles and walk on two legs, under the condition that we are on the ground with the attraction of gravity, in order how we can move rationally.The rationality here is the martial one, which means how we can control enemies effectively with our minimum movements and power. In this sense, martial movements are made up based on the efficiency along the way of nature. Reversely, movements not developed in such a way (e.g., wasteful, decorative, and unnatural ones) are never martial. In this way, practicing martial arts is to train the movements that we usually have not made, within the limits of natural movements, even though we feel that these movements seem unnatural because we do not make them in everyday life.
In the practice of martial arts, we often learn movements that we do not usually make in our everyday life. For example, punching and kicking, or foot and body maneuver in martial arts are movements that we do not use in our daily life. These are movements that we do not usually do, so at first, seemingly, we can feel that they are unreasonable unnatural ones. We just feel as if they were unreasonable and unnatural because we have not made these movements, but actually, the fact is not like that. Movements of martial arts are the ones along the way of nature. In other words, movements of martial arts are the ones pursed by us human beings, who are the animals who have bones and muscles and walk on two legs, under the condition that we are on the ground with the attraction of gravity, in order how we can move rationally.The rationality here is the martial one, which means how we can control enemies effectively with our minimum movements and power. In this sense, martial movements are made up based on the efficiency along the way of nature. Reversely, movements not developed in such a way (e.g., wasteful, decorative, and unnatural ones) are never martial. In this way, practicing martial arts is to train the movements that we usually have not made, within the limits of natural movements, even though we feel that these movements seem unnatural because we do not make them in everyday life.
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