The Unfettered Mind: Writings from a Zen Master to a Master Swordsman

by Takuan Soho

Book Overview

In a life-and-death situation of being sword-tip to sword-tip with the enemy, where should the swordsman put his mind? This is the first question posed in the first of three essays written by a Zen... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1590309863
• ISBN13: 9781590309865
• Release Date: June 2012
• Publisher: Shambhala
• Length: 144 Pages
• Weight: 0.30 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.5" x 5.2" x 7.3"

Customer Reviews

A book for everyone.

I bought this book to try to learn more about keeping myself disciplined and having more self-control as a martial artist. I got that plus more. I think anyone could benefit from reading this.

The most interesting book I've ever read

Out of 2000 I have. Takuan gets to heart of direct experience of csness. Samurai found it kept their heads on their shoulders, so they meditated.

The Unfettered Mind

While it may sound cliched when I first read The Unfettered Mind it went over my head entirely. To be honest I was a bit disappointed as I was expecting something similar to The Book of Five Rings. After reflecting on what I had read for a couple days it started to click and I was able to appreciate the profundity of Soho's words. If you pick it up and aren't immediately hooked just give it some time and it might grow on you.

For those seeking The Way, this book is great

If you are a martial artist or Zen student seeking new ways of understanding the "enlightenment" of mastering an art, then this book can offer different angles from which to think about your practice. It can help you acknowledge the frustrations you feel as you reach that plateau where the harder you try the worse you perform, and it can give you the encouragement to get beyond that. If, on the other hand, you're not into Zen texts, this book will bore you into a coma.I found most enlightening Takuan's remarks on the stages of learning a skill, each with its own challenges; from the beginner struggling to teach his muscles the postures and movements, through the sophomore trying to "unstick" his mind from such details and focus on strategy, to the master who gives his actions no more thought than an adult gives standing up and walking across the room. These apply not only to martial arts, but to any activity that requires both physical skill and tactical thinking, from swordfighting to tennis, judo to golf.The book is in three sections, which are actually translations of three letters written by Takuan to Yagyu Munenori. If you read this book, you should also read The Sword and the Mind, by Yagyu Munenori; they could almost be considered companion texts. Both have their interesting sections and their obtuse, no-longer-apparently relevant sections; and both at their most helpful address how to approach your practice and therefore your life.

Wilson's is a good translation

In essence, this book is Takuan's (a Zen priest) message (written in a letter) to Yagyu Munenori about swordsmanship and Zen. Wilson's translation is but one of many (cf. Sugawara, Sato, etc..) but it is quite good.

An unexplicated work of profound simplicity

Takuan's voice in this work provides resonance for scholars and martial artists alike. For avid readers of the Zen tradition, this book offers both contrast and compliment to Zen Mind, Beginner's Mind by Shunryu Suzuki. Most intersting I thought was his disticntion between the "mind of principle" and the "mind of technique". It stimulates meditation on our own day-to-day quality of thought and action.

A PATH TO ENLIGHTENMENT

I have been involved with the martial arts for over 25 years. Student, instructor, swordsman. I consider this book a reference tool and a source of inspiritation. My copy is worn and tattered, what more can I say.I am sure that Musashi valued his friendship with the author. The insights into human nature and self improvement are timeless.