The Garden - Cleanse the Mind
Picture from “The Garden” by Sean Michael Wilson from Liminal11
“To fix the mind obsessively on anything is considered sickness. Tune the mind. Get rid of such afflictions. Having seen all true principles, do not keep any of them in your chest. Let go of them cleanly. Keep your heart empty and open. Do what you do in an ordinary and unconcerned state of mind. You can hardly be called a master of martial arts unless you reach this stage.”
“There is surely nothing other than the single purpose of the present moment. A man’s whole life is a succession of moment after moment. If one fully understands the present moment, there will be nothing else to do, and nothing else to pursue. Live being true to the single purpose of the moment.”
Strategies & methods for being present were of critical importance to any serious Samurai
Imagine life as a Samurai Warrior for a second... You are literally about to fight to the death against another warrior.
You'll both use real swords, sharp and deadly.
Your opponent has been brainwashed and forced, since a child, to be a warrior.
As a young teenager, your opponent has cut off the heads of prisoners as practice for killing enemies on the battlefield.
He's gone nights without sleep, and days without food, forging his resolve and mental toughness.
He's trained for 2 decades in every form of martial art.
Do you feel ready?
A Samurai needed every edge and advantage possible in order to stay alive, and win such life or death battles.
Any slowness, distraction, or microsecond loss of the ability to instantly observe and respond accurately in the present moment would equal greater likelihood of death.
Enter Zen. The Zen garden was considered an aid to meditation and for cleansing the mind and heart, and for returning to purity.
As Buddhism was introduced into Japan in the 7th century, formal garden designs came too, and usually involved a pond with islands and rock formations. But contact with China was limited. Over the centuries, the Japanese and Zen influence over garden design and purpose began to flourish. Symbolism in garden design gave an informed observer deep insight and specific thoughts designed for the purpose of unfettering the mind.
Consider as well, the likelihood that many Samurai had some form of PTSD from all the death and pain they witnessed. Mental health issues were not well tolerated. It was courage in the face of death, or dishonor and shame on your family name.
Japanese Zen Gardens excelled as a tool for mastery of Bushido, the Way of the Warrior.
Meditation, specifically in a Japanese garden, was a practice that many Samurai warriors swore upon. In our modern age, with the focus on productivity and effective time management, we forget the power of the present. Live in accord with the way, & you'll always take the right path.
#GetPresent!
Get the amazing book 📗 "The Garden" 📗 featured in this post by @seanmichaelwilson @fumioobata @liminal_11 for how to apply this #wisdom to modern life. And other amazing books on #SamuraiCulture