Mushin: Ancient Concept, Modern Context.

Today’s reality-based self-defense instructors often speak of the "adrenalized state", the "fight or flight response". Or, we may speak to the specific physical attributes associated with a sudden rush of adrenaline: tunnel vision, ‘butterflies’ in the stomach, weakness in the knees, or the feeling of a full body ‘rush’ from head to toe. We also speak to the flood of emotions that one experiences both pre- and post conflict; especially in the contexts of domestic violence and sexual assault.

Mushin (pronounced ‘Mu-Shin’) is a Japanese term which loosely translates as "no-mind".

The term is shortened from mushin no shin, a Zen expression meaning ‘mind of no mind’; meaning a mind that is not fixed or occupied by any single thought or emotion.

From a strictly combative perspective, mushin can be described as a mental and physiological state of heightened situational awareness and tactical single-mindedness that comes about through the conscious management of:

a. emotionally driven thoughts of anger, fear, or ego during combat that can translate into potentially fatal errors in timing, distance, movement, delivery, or overall general strategy. One example of the mismanagement of this aspect is allowing ones mouth to write checks ones ass cannot cover (i.e.- willful provocation by word or deed). Another is one not having absolute confidence is his/her training and allowing that to become an obstacle to decisive action.

b. the physical effects of the adrenalized state. Also, suppression of the pain(s) of blunt force trauma, cuts, scrapes, sprains, and strains (with the help of endorphins that are also released by the brain). And the powerful use of kinetic energy channeled into every movement (i.e.-strikes and kicks; and/or that ‘final’ sprint to safety, in particular).

c. second-guessing of ones judgment as the senses are overwhelmed with information, so the person is totally free to act without hesitation. At this point, a person relies not on what they think should be the next move, but what their trained ‘natural’ reaction leads them to do.

This means the ‘formal’ pre-conflict sharpening of ones own intuition and instinctual defensive reflexes by way of routine, realistic practice; guided by qualified, professional instruction.

This also means really taking the time to deconstruct and sum up the experience(s) of a real world assault situation, and then applying those specific lessons to ones own theory and practice.