We investigate how both Zen and Judo contain the same practice, and how this will help to end your negative emotions.
Zen says that enlightenment manifests itself in everyday affairs, and as such has developed many “do’s”, or ways towards enlightenment(1). One of these “do’s”, Judo meaning gentleness, is about not fighting or pushing away an opponent, but entering into his movements and energy, then redirect it from the core. The practice or philosophy of Judo is the teaching of Acceptance.
Entering into the source of a Negative Emotion, is to accept it. By entering into the emotion fully, we gain access to shift and change it’s direction.
To try and fight externally, only feeds an opponent or emotion. If you hit them, they will likely try hit you back. You reinforce your opponent’s rage, and anger, which again will come back at you, now stronger. By entering into, and redirecting from the core there is no attack, just a gentle shift, that drains power and bring about peace.
The Buddha when challenged about what he taught once said he taught the path of non-contention. Non-contention is judo, it’s accepting what’s going on, and from the inside changing things. In this place there is no he vs I, or it vs me, there’s a union of all things, and it’s from this place, we gain access to unlimited powers of change.
(1) The Tao of Physics
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Very interesting.
Judo is the martial art I do find most appealing, too bad there are no places to try it out my area. How long have you been practicing it?
Hi Greg,
I haven’t actually practiced Judo, I’ve only read/researched it. I’ve come to it from the philosophical background, rather than the practical.
Peace,
Wade
It does seem to have a very deep and involved philosophy surrounding it . . . most interesting.