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

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The true value of any art form—whether it be music, painting, flower arrangement, sculpture, or judo—is that it has the goal of discovering and developing the true potential within the artist. Combative arts are patterned to challenge the expert to the development of speed, physical superiority, and mental alertness, but in judo the mental aspect is the ultimate goal of all effort, both for novices and experts. The judoist has no time to allow himself a margin for error, especially in a situation upon which his or another person's very life depends. The secret of judo is serenity of mind. The judoist must react with a conditioned reflex to any situation. It must be an automatic response, since there is no time for thinking the situation through. It must, in fact, be a state of mind such that even an attack by an opponent of greater size, or the development of a challenging situation, does not cause the judoist to change his center of balanced defense against the challenge.

This serenity of mind is developed in proper judo practice, but the true reservoir of mental composure is built through Zen meditation. Zen is a relative form of yoga, without the difficult gymnastic feats. Through correct breathing and proper postural discipline, one creates a mental state of reserved energy. Throughout the meditation period, the Zen student concentrates on "nothingness" and accepts no opposing force of any kind. He seats himself in a kneeling-sitting position in a state of relaxation as nearly complete as possible. There seems, however, to be no serious reason for the Western judoist to adopt this practice, since the Zen effect is embodied in the exercises of judo itself: exercises that require the student to re-enact the Zen performance in its adaptation to practical techniques. During free exercise, which is similar to sparring in boxing, one learns to give way "softly" to the quick movements of an opponent. These exercises also serve to train the student in adaptation to continual change. They are called kata, and their purpose is to teach the principles of judo.