From Zen:
"There is a wisdom that can only be attained if one is crazy enough to let go of the mind."
An invitation to follow your own instinct
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. Especially for advanced karateka, it offers an impetus to use their deeper knowledge to find solutions that go beyond mere technique.
Changing perspectives through karate
In advanced combat, intuition takes precedence over pure perception because it takes a more direct path: It connects the subconscious—our deepest knowledge—directly with action. This avoids the detour of conscious analysis, which relies on sensory perceptions and is often limiting, slowing down and reducing reaction time.
Our perception of the world is essential, 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 more comprehensive perspective and reveal solutions we would otherwise never have considered.
In karate, the difference between intuition and perception becomes particularly clear in combat.
An experienced karateka doesn't 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 hinder the karateka and cause them to miss important information. These instinctive reactions do not arise randomly, 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 the importance of relaxation in the midst of action. Relaxation allows the deeply internalized knowledge to emerge from the subconscious and enables the karateka to act intuitively and precisely.
Aspects of intuitive action
To grow beyond one's own abilities, one needs the courage to trust one's intuition and to make it the first basis for decisions - be it in karate or in other areas of life, even outside the dojo.
Let's imagine we're faced with a difficult decision—be it regarding a job offer or an important personal choice. Instead of poring over every detail, we could pause and listen to our inner voice, which will guide us on the right path. Even if it seems irrational at first, these feelings are often based on an unconscious processing of our accumulated experiences and the knowledge 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 overly focusing on each individual action.
The great karate masters often speak of "Mushin," which means "mind without mind" or "the non-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 crucial not only in karate, but also in many other disciplines that require peak performance under pressure. Classical musicians often describe entering a flow state during a performance, in which conscious thought fades almost entirely into the background and their fingers glide seemingly effortlessly over their instruments. Similarly, elite athletes report moments in which their actions are guided as if by an invisible force, allowing them to perform with precision and power even under extreme pressure.
The role of self-confidence
Trusting one's own intuition requires a high degree of self-confidence—something that isn't always easy in a society that often prioritizes rationality and analysis. Nevertheless, developing this trust leads to greater confidence in one's own decisions and a noticeable improvement in one's personal abilities. In karate, as in life, self-confidence is essential. Without this inner trust, even the most perfect technique loses its power and effectiveness.
This self-confidence doesn't develop overnight. It's the result of a long process of continuous improvement and pursuing a clear goal. Every time we trust our intuition and achieve positive results, our confidence in our inner abilities grows and becomes stronger, step by step.
Intuition and rationality: A harmonious combination
Acting intuitively does not mean ignoring rationality, but rather combining both ways of thinking 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 gathering information using rational analysis to understand the available options. Then, shifting your approach and letting intuition guide the final decision. When making a major decision, such as a job change, it's wise to evaluate rational aspects such as salary, benefits, growth opportunities, and company culture. But after weighing all these factors, it's 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 plays an important role not only in major life decisions, but can also be used in the small moments of everyday life. For example, while taking a walk, we can trust our inner sense of direction instead of constantly looking at a map. In the kitchen, we can rely on our sense of taste and culinary experience, trying out new ingredients and techniques instead of strictly following 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 rather on the unconscious experiences and impressions our subconscious has processed.
Development of intuition
Here are some practical approaches:
- Meditation : It helps to calm the mind and create greater awareness of thoughts and feelings.
- Creative activities : Writing, painting, or making music can enhance intuition by stimulating the creative flow.
- Attentive observation : By consciously perceiving 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 decision-making : Start with small decisions based on your intuition and observe the results. As your confidence grows, you can apply this approach to larger decisions.
Developing intuition takes practice and patience, as not all methods work equally well for everyone. Therefore, it's important to try different approaches and find out which ones work best for you.
Conclusion
Our Questioning 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 combat. Intuition thus becomes the bridge between technical skill and practical wisdom, bringing mind, body, and spirit into perfect harmony.
