Thread by @ThisIsNotTea

If one puts his mind in the action of his opponent’s body, his mind will be taken by the action of his opponent’s body.

If he puts his mind in his opponent’s sword, his mind will be taken by that sword.

If he puts his mind in thoughts of his opponent’s intention to strike him, his mind will be taken by thoughts of his opponent’s intention to strike him.

If he puts his mind in his own sword, his mind will be taken by his own sword.

If he puts his mind in his own intention of not being struck, his mind will be taken by his intention of not being struck.

If he puts his mind in the other man’s stance, his mind will be taken by the other man’s stance.

What this means is that there is no place to put the mind.

“Well, then, where does one put his mind.”

I answered, “If you don’t put it anywhere, it will go to all parts of your body and extend throughout its entirety. In this way, when it enters your hand, it will realize the hand’s function.

When it enters your foot, it will realize the foot’s function. When it enters your eye, it will realize the eye’s function.

If you should decide on one place and put the mind there, it will be taken by that place and lose its function. If one thinks,

he will be taken by his thoughts.

Because this is so, leave aside thoughts and discrimination, throw the mind away from the entire body, do not stop it here and there, and when it does visit these various places, it will realize function and act without error

-Takuan Soho

Where one puts the mind
terebess.hu/zen/Unfettered…