Intuition and karate | Beyond the technique

From Zen:

"There is a wisdom that can only be attained if you are crazy enough to let go of the mind."

An invitation to follow your instincts

The following article, inspired by the chapter "Intuition" from the book "How do you know it's true?", invites us to question our sensory perceptions and make intuitive decisions. For advanced karateka in particular, it provides an impetus to use their deeper knowledge to find solutions that go beyond mere technique.

Change of perspective through karate

In advanced fighting, intuition takes precedence over pure perception, as it takes a more direct route: it connects the subconscious - our deepest knowledge - directly with action. This avoids the detour via conscious analysis, which is based on sensory perceptions and often has a limiting effect as it slows down and reduces our ability to react.

Our perception of the world is indispensable, but it is limited because it is based on interpretation through our senses - senses that are subjective and easily influenced. In contrast, intuition draws from a deeper, unadulterated source of knowledge that we often neglect because we prioritize our conscious knowledge. However, this unconscious knowledge can guide us with a broader perspective and reveal solutions that we would otherwise never have considered.

In karate, the difference between intuition and perception is particularly evident in combat.

An experienced karateka does not consciously analyze his opponent's movements, strategies or rhythm during a fight. Instead, he relies on his intuition, which guides him through the situation without conscious thought.

In order to react correctly in a split second, conscious analysis would tend to hinder the karateka and cause important information to be overlooked. These instinctive reactions do not occur by chance, but are the result of decades of practice. Through continuous training, the movements become so internalized that they can be performed almost automatically and without conscious thought. At the level of mastery, the karateka moves away from active thinking and learns to recognize the importance of relaxation in the midst of action. This relaxation allows the deeply internalized knowledge to emerge from the subconscious and enables the karateka to act intuitively and precisely.

Aspects of intuitive action

In order to grow beyond your own abilities, you need the courage to trust your intuition and make it the first basis for decisions - whether in karate or in other areas of life, even outside of dōjō.

Imagine we are faced with a difficult decision - be it a job offer or an important personal choice. Instead of picking every detail to pieces, we could pause and listen to our inner voice, which points us in the right direction. Although it may seem irrational at first, these feelings are often based on an unconscious processing of our accumulated experiences and knowledge that our brain has integrated in the background.

In karate, this approach means trusting your own abilities and letting your body react instinctively in combat, rather than focusing excessively on each individual action.

The great karate masters often speak of "mushin", which means "mind without mind" or "the no-mind".

It is a state of mind in which intuition takes over and actions and reactions occur spontaneously and without hesitation.

The state of "mushin" is not only of crucial importance in karate, but also in many other disciplines that require top performance under pressure. Classical musicians often describe how they enter a state of flow during a performance, in which conscious thought almost completely fades into the background and their fingers seem to glide effortlessly over the instruments. Similarly, top athletes report moments in which their actions are controlled as if by an invisible force, allowing them to perform precisely and powerfully even under extreme pressure.

The role of self-confidence

Trusting one's intuition requires a high level of self-confidence - something that is not always easy in a society that often prioritizes rationality and analysis above all else. Nevertheless, developing this confidence leads to greater certainty in one's own decisions and a noticeable improvement in personal skills. In karate, as in life, self-confidence is essential. Without this inner confidence, even the most perfect technique loses its power and effectiveness.

This self-confidence does not develop overnight. It is the result of a long process in which you continuously work on yourself and pursue a clear goal. Every time we trust our intuition and achieve positive results, our confidence in our inner abilities grows and strengthens step by step.

Intuition and rationality: a harmonious connection

Acting intuitively does not mean ignoring rationality, but rather combining both ways of thinking in order to make more informed and comprehensive decisions.

The balance between intuition and rationality can lead to a more fulfilling and balanced life, as it allows us to face challenges with more serenity and mental calm.

In practice, this means first using rational analysis to gather information in order to understand the available options. You then change your approach and let your intuition guide the final decision. When making an important decision, such as changing jobs, it makes sense to evaluate rational aspects such as salary, benefits, growth opportunities and company culture. But after all these factors have been weighed, it is equally crucial to listen to your instincts and choose the option that feels right on a deeper, intuitive level.

Intuition training in everyday life

Intuition not only plays an important role in big life decisions, but can also be used in the small moments of everyday life. For example, we can trust our inner sense of direction when going for a walk instead of constantly looking at a map. In the kitchen, we can rely on our sense of taste and our culinary experience and try out new ingredients and techniques instead of cooking strictly according to a recipe. In this way, we train our intuition in everyday situations and strengthen our trust in it.

Intuition can also be extremely helpful in interpersonal relationships. When we meet new people, we often have an immediate, instinctive feeling for them. This feeling is not always based on obvious or tangible information, but on the unconscious experiences and impressions that our subconscious has processed.

Developing intuition

Here are some practical approaches:

• Meditation: it helps to calm the mind and create a greater awareness of thoughts and feelings.
• Creative activities: Writing, painting or making music can enhance intuition by stimulating the creative flow.
• Attentive observation: By being aware of our surroundings, we often discover details that we would otherwise miss.
• Body awareness: Pay attention to signals from your body - such as tension, relaxation or discomfort - these can provide valuable intuitive clues.
• Practice intuitive decisions: Start by making small decisions based on your intuition and observe the results. As you gain confidence, you can apply this approach to larger decisions.

Developing intuition takes practice and patience, as not all methods work equally well for everyone. It is therefore important to try out different approaches and find out which ones suit you best.

Conclusion

Questioning our sensory perceptions is a valuable exercise that shows us that not everything we see, hear or feel is necessarily true. For advanced karateka, this means going beyond pure technique and developing a deeper understanding of the fight. Intuition thus becomes the bridge between technical skill and practical wisdom, bringing mind, body and soul into perfect harmony.