Learning Zanshin

Imagine that you find yourself walking through the park, enjoying your time with a loved one. Your able to talk, laugh and relate to the immediate conversation that your having. In an instant your realize that your focus on the conversation was so intent you were unaware of your surroundings. You now re-focus attending to the conversation, but now able to see the objects in the park, maybe a bench or playground. You see a few other people. You feel the wind and you see its effect. You are still able to participate in the conversation but have total awareness of your surroundings. This is the essence of zanshin. Total awareness of everything around you.

This is one of the most important elements of the warrior mind. You must be aware of hidden dangers and present in the moment. The more you practice this, the better you get. Just like anything it takes time and indeed focus. Focus with the intent of not sacrificing your awareness.

Their is a fabled story that is told in regards to the learning of zanshin;

A young boy who wanted to learn swordsmanship went to the local master and asked if he would teach him the art of the sword. The old man studied the boy and told him to start by collecting and storing the firewood and assist with his household chores. The old man then told him to come back tomorrow and he would have some new tasks for him to do.

The boy came back the following day and the old man gave him the same chores. "Keep coming back and I will think about teaching you what you want to learn" The man said. The boy was disappointed about the idea but wanted to learn the secret skills of swordsmanship. He accepted the proposal and came back the next day.

The days turned to weeks and impatient the boy asked the old man when he would begin his training. The old man picked up a stick walked over to the young boy and without hesitation whacked him on the head. "You are not ready to learn" said the old man. Come back tomorrow and continue with the chores. The next day the boy was working on his chores when the old man came over to him carrying a similar stick. Without speaking the old man tried to whack the boy with the stick. The boy learned a hard lesson the day before and stepped quickly back to avoid the painful strike. The old man said nothing and walked away. The boy disappointing with still not learning swordsmanship, said to the old man "When will you begin to teach me the arts of the sword?" the old man replied, "Soon when you are ready I will teach what you need to know"

The following day while washing clothes in the river, with a whoosh and crack the boy felt a sharp pain on his head. Behind him the old man was standing with a stick in hand. "Ouch the boy exclaimed, when will you teach me swordsmanship like I asked instead of hitting me." to which the old man replied, "You are not ready, you must avoid the sword before you may wield the sword".

With a sigh the boy went back to washing clothes. He realized that the old man was still present behind him. Again the old man went to swing, but this time he quickly moved out of the way to avoid the painful encounter with the blunt end of the stick. At this moment the old man turned and walked away. This is getting ridiculous the boy thought to himself.

The next day walking down the path towards the old mans house, he heard a rustle in the bushed and then without notice. The old man leaped out of the bushed and struck the boy on the head with the stick. The old man then turned and walked away leaving the young boy on the ground to nurse the knot on his forehead. The boy thought to himself the old man is crazy but, was determined to have him teach his sword arts. He will just have to humor the old man and play his silly game.

Weeks turned to months with this game of cat and mouse. The old man would try to strike the boy without hesitation. The boy was getting better and better, sometimes sensing and noticing the old mans attacks. Over and over the old man would attempt to attack him, sometimes succeeding and other times failing. The boy felt better about himself, able to avoid the old mans tricks. Eventually he was able to endlessly avoid the old man and became routine.

One night while resting under the stars the young boy settled in to a sleep. Without sound, the old man launched an assault on the boy. Sensing the attack the boy sprung into defensive action avoid the swings, removing himself and avoiding the flurry of strikes. “You have learned everything I can teach you young man”. “How can that be?” And the boy thought to himself. “You have learned the art of zanshin, of total awareness to your surroundings” There is nothing more to teach you as you are now of the warrior mind.” Said the old man.

This is an important story and concept for everyone who trains in martial arts. Situational awareness is what keeps you safe. It allows you to sense danger and your surroundings. It is a feeling that is hard to teach and is often more of a discovery in ones own training. zanshin is a basis for all training and something you should work to perfect. Teachings like this are the roots from which all of our other training should stem and with time and practice are something that you can achieve if you have not done so already.