Stand, Flow, Move

"Stand like a mountain, flow like water, move like the wind." - Steven J. Pearlman, The Book of Martial Power

This is one of those quotes that could have come from Lao Tzu in a Tao Te Ching sort of way. There are a couple of others that work along this same theme, i.e. "the mind of wu-wei; flows like water, reflects like a mirror, responds like an echo" and "sit like a turtle, walk like a pidgin, sleep like a dog; develop inner quiet."

All are Zen-like quotes used to teach a martial art mind-state. It relates to words or terms such as "Zanshin" meaning loosely present moment mind where the mind is only in the present moment. This speaks to being in the exact moment where your entire attention is at that exact moment. It is our entire conscious/subconscious state in any given instant or moment. This seems to be the crux of properly applying the fundamental principles of martial systems, i.e. the type of mind-state training necessary to alleviate other states of mind that are not necessary or even productive in martial arts applications in self-defense.

We must, in the fight, have full attention, focus and awareness in that moment of violence. We need that awareness or zanshin for everything happening in that exact moment even as it moves to the past bringing in a new moment. Consider it the training for total focus and commitment. How you do this is another long training session.