CAKC - Mind, Body, Spirit

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Christchurch Aotearoa Kendo Club

Mind

The Power of the Mind
"If you think you will fail - you will. If you think you will win - you will".

There are many many stories of the power of the mind - many stories of voodoo or tribal medicine doctors wishing someone ill/well with the corresponding result simply because the person believed it was ordained and could not be changed. I myself have seen the effects of both a positive mind beating projected medical science and the exact opposite. What the mind truly believes, is what will be: we can choose to be happy, sad, alive or dead. We choose. For ourselves. And whatever we choose in our mind, is the condition that our body enacts. There are stories in Japanese history for example of Samurai whose strength of mind was so strong that even when their heads were cut off their body completed some action such as killing an enemy. (The Hagakure has some references to this e.g.).

In some ways, having this kind of outlook is simply a case of choosing to. For others, their experiences are not broad enough to understand the importance of some of the concepts, or for whatever they lack the willpower or courage to change. Here we present some material which may help people come to this way of understanding.

The Unfettered Mind
Writings from a Zen Master to a Master Swordsman

Takuan Soho was a priest who had the ear of the Shogun, Musashi and his rival Yagyu Munenori who was sword trainer to the Shogun and his troops. The book is in three sections, which are actually translations of three letters written by Takuan to Yagyu Munenori.

The book at Amazon.com
The Unfettered Mind - pdf version (from our Wellington sword-brothers)

The Life Giving Sword
Secret Teachings from the House of the Shogun

Yagyu Munenori was sword trainer to the Shogun and his troops. The Yagyu family developed the Shinkage Ryu style of sword fighting that persists today. The central theme of his teachings was that of "the life giving sword" - the idea of controlling ones opponent by spiritual readiness to fight rather than actually fighting. It required intense self discipline and a deep understanding of the principles of Zen, as did any "Way", but his "No-Sword" technique meant the mind was able to become completely free of any thought of winning, of even the presence of the sword.

The Life Giving Sword at Amazon
(Unfortunately I haven't been able to find an online/electronic version of this book yet. If you find one, I would appreciate if you let me know).

Continued in the next section . . . Spirit