Читать книгу Secrets of Judo. A Text for Instructors and Students онлайн

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An attitude of overconfidence or a burning desire to win in a judo competition only preoccupies the mind and interferes with the execution of body movements, and defeat is the usual result. Judo is not, literally speaking, a form of self-defense or attack. The application of judo principles depends upon the position and movements of the opponent, but the judoist must not place himself in a situation where an effort to defend himself against his opponent's suddenly changed position may leave him exposed to attack. Thus one can see that judo does not allow rigid, set movements. Realization of this principle trains the subconscious mind to react to everyday experiences in a flexible manner, and this ability has a very important value in human contacts.

We learn, for example, that fear in its negative form cannot be accepted. We develop natural mental composure, and this calmness can be the determining factor in a situation where our very existence is at stake. The samurai developed this state of fearlessness even to the point of not fearing death. They did not feel that life was not worth worrying about, but they knew that neither the slightest amount of preoccupation nor anything else that might cause even a small mistake could be tolerated in combat.