Mind Like Water
When performing, practicing or using karate, one must
maintain a "mind like water". Yeah, right. What are you TALKING about?!?
This refers to the mental attitude while facing an actual opponent. It refers to the need of
making the mind calm, like that of an undisturbed body of water.
Smooth
water reflects accurately the image of all objects within its range, and
if the mind is kept calm, comprehension of the opponents movements, both
psychological and physical, will be both immediate and accurate, and one's
responses, both defensive and offensive, will be appropriate and
adequate.
On the other hand, if the surface of the water is disturbed,
the images it reflects will be distorted. In other words, if the mind
is preoccupied with thoughts of attack and defense it will not properly
comprehend the opponent's intentions creating an opportunity for the
opponent to attack.
Water also has
other properties. Water can be quite destructive. In fact, over time,
water is one of the most destructive forces on earth.Your mind must be
like water. When necessary, be as destructive as you must.