:: emory aikikai :

Fudoshin - Imperturbable Mind

By Jon Reading

Aikido is truly a daunting education. Aikido can be doubtful, frustrating, complicated and sometimes unbelievable; it tries your mind, it tries your heart, and it tries your confidence. You must face this challenge with fudoshin, the imperturbable mind. You must believe what you are learning, you must be patient in your training, and you must be resolved to train consistently. Fudoshin is a state of mind that allows you to concentrate and understand what is going on around you with focus and concentration. The spirit of a warrior is committed and doubtless, the task at hand is the only task to perform and there is not other time to perform it. This resolution is admirable and honorable, and the consequences of this resolution are likewise honorable.
To train with fudoshin is to train focused on the task at hand without question or doubt, and with resolve to train in utmost sincerity. Fudoshin trains the mind and the spirit to unite with the body; the mind must commit to action to perform it without trepidation. After the mind commits to action, the body manifests the action with confidence and precision. To train with fudoshin is to train with the acceptance of death in every move, and the resolution to carry out action regardless of the situation.