The Paradox of Efforting and Non-Efforting

Here’s some stories related to the paradox of efforting (trying) and non-efforting (the absence of trying) in kendo and life.  On how efforting can sometimes lead to so called failure and how non-efforting, to unintended success.  It is also

Quotes on Progressive Relaxation

Buds of the “Heart leaf” tree (Cercis canadensis or eastern redbud) in Mar 2021

Here are a set of quotes related to a relaxation technique referred to as Progressive Relaxation (and Progressive Muscle Relaxation) developed by Edmund Jacobson.  I found the technique not only effective for returning to calmness but also for better understanding the correlation of thoughts and tension (and ‘no thoughts’ and ‘no tension’).  The quotes are organized as follows:

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The Experience of ‘No Thought’ – Progressive Relaxation and Edmund Jacobson

From time to time, I read and hear about the experience of ‘No Thought’ in the context of meditation, martial arts and kendo [KendoNotes MushinResources] [KendoNotes MushinQuotes] [KendoNotes MushinEiga].  It is

Progressive Relaxation: “Mother Knows Best”

This is a short story serving as an introduction to Progressive Relaxation (also referred to as Progressive Muscle Relaxation) and a reminder of the adage:  “Mother knows best.” 

“…ing” and Non-Duality – Quotes

A glorious sunset in Split.

The pointers to presence, awareness, peace, … :  What is the object of my attention?, Who is paying attention to that object of attention?” and “Who am I?” have been addressed in

Mushotoku (無所得), “The Cat’s Martial Arts Assembly” and Path to 10th Dan ;-)

During a discussion on meditation today, a person mentioned the term  “Mushotoku” (無所得) which I had never heard of before.  It refers to a state of “not seeking anything”

“Nothing is resisted, nothing is sought. Everything is allowed to be as it is.” – Surrendering

A masterpiece by Remy van Gogh at the age of 22 months.  July 2020.

A lady from a meditation group recommended the writings of Joan Tollifson.   The contents of the following article on her website caught my attention:

The “Whispered Ah” – for Calmness, Muscle Relaxation and the Posture

I was recently reminded of a “technique” from the Alexander Technique known as the Whispered Ah – developed primarily for those in the performing arts [Josefsberg Breathing] [Dias WhisperedAh, p. 4] [Breaking WhisperedAh].   It is a very simple technique that initiates,

“Soft Eyes,” A Way of Seeing and Being – Quotes and Resources

I believe that “Soft Eyes” is an extremely important part of kendo and many areas of life.  It is a natural, tension-free way of seeing and being – which goes by many other names: Whole or Effortless Seeing, Soft or Open Focus, Wide-Angled, Peripheral or Panoramic Vision and “Enzan no Metsuke (a distant mountain gaze).”