It was the year 1989 when I first met my "Sensei" at an Aikido Dojo (martial arts training hall). I had come to him looking for answers. I wanted to know how to overcome my fears, doubts and negative feelings; I wanted know how to heal my injured body and I wanted to know how to relax and finally clear my mind with meditation. But more than anything I wanted an answer the ultimate question - How do I find true peace?

I know ... it was a pretty tall order!!

You see I had been training in the martial arts since I was a child. Sure I started learning Karate because I wanted to know how to do all of the amazing things Bruce Lee was doing in the movies, but more importantly I was looking for a way to get over my fears; I wanted to feel strong and confident. In my youth I had read books that showed pictures of martial arts masters and told stories of how they were fearless. I wanted to be like them.

By the time I was 19 I had attained the Black Belt level from a famous Chuck Norris Karate teacher, yet I STILL felt a lot of fear, anxiousness and doubt within myself. It was perplexing and very frustrating, because I thought getting a Black Belt would solve these issues. I thought I would become fearless like those martial arts masters I had read about so long ago. That didn't happen! The training was absolutely amazing but mostly focused on physical development; I needed something that incorporated the mind, body AND spirit.

"After getting my Black Belt I continued searching for answers".

Why was I still afraid? Why had my martial arts training not taught me to overcome my fears? I knew that I needed to find better ways of controlling my thoughts, feeling and emotions.

I began to further my studies of meditation. I sought out Zen meditation teachers, Yoga teachers, self help and new age books and seminars, Shamans and Native American Indian practices, Chinese Qigong, self-hypnosis, mindfulness, and so on in search of a way to transcend all of my hang ups and fears. I tell you, after a few years of this I was so sick and tired of all of the contradictions, new agey nonsense, self proclaimed prophets, and yada, yada that my head was about to explode with noxious spiritual jargon ... I was totally stumped.

It's not that there was necessarily anything wrong with all of the teachings and techniques that people were offering (most of them that is), it was just that often the delivery was really hard to digest. Being of a western upbringing and mindset, it can be really difficult to process all of these concepts and teachings from different cultures, especially if it comes across as new age BS. I needed to find something that wasn't so confusing . something simple and palatable.

One day I was speaking with an old friend about my frustration; she told me stories of her Sensei and how he had attained a profound level of self mastery that she had never encountered before. She said he was like a Buddha, very focused and centered and that he could teach me to be like that. At this point in my life I was extremely skeptical, but at the same time intrigued as I trusted her judgment.

She invited me to come and meet him. Although I was totally burned-out by all of my searching, somehow I felt that meeting him might be the missing link to overcoming my fears, negativity and distracting thoughts, so off I went to the Aikido Dojo.

As I stood before this man I was deeply surprised. I had met a lot of teachers already, but for the first time I felt a very profound and peaceful 'presence' looking at me; actually it felt like he was looking right through me! There was stillness in his eyes and a look of compassion that was so gentle and kind; he was unlike anyone I had ever met before. It was in that moment I vowed to myself to learn everything that he knew.

What I discovered over the many years of training with him was a way to tap into a state of awareness where there are no longer any mental obstructions. In this state of awareness there is no fear, no doubt, no negativity, or distraction - in fact there is a deep sense of inner peace that accompanies this experience, it is often called the state of Mushin.

Mushin is a Japanese term, referred to in the Samurai tradition as no-mind or no-ego. When you are in a state of Mushin you become totally present to the moment. You are completely focused, clear headed, fearless, aware, centered and calm. Through an artful process of focusing the mind, correct breathing and 'letting go' you can connect to this deeply profound level of awareness. With dedication and consistency you can enter into this deep awareness or "Mushin" at any time.

"Without proper instruction it is very difficult to learn"

As a martial artist I have witnessed a very interesting phenomenon that you can liken to learning how to meditate. There are certain people who are just naturally talented and coordinated; with or without good instruction they seem to just catch on to their chosen art really quickly, while others do not. However, if you meet a really great teacher he will properly instruct you in the fundamental building blocks of the art and then build on them so you can develop a great practice. Therefore no matter how un-coordinated or how naturally un-talented you are in the beginning, you will always make progress.

With no disrespect intended towards my Sensei, it was obvious that he had been one of those naturally talented athletes, in the art of meditation, if you will. Even though he had been shown many different ways to meditate, he was able to tap into Mushin on a very deep level. Although his dedicated practice was a huge part of his success in meditation, simply put, he was a natural.

Over the years he showed me many ancient meditation techniques and secrets and ways to of using them to transcend fears, limitations and the ego. However, because there were many 'ways' in which you could practice, I found it really difficult to make progress at first; often it would take me hours of practice before I could get focused, I would fall asleep, fight with my thoughts and ultimately get very frustrated. Let's just say I was one of those 'un-coordinated' meditators :-}

Nevertheless, I came into the practice with an unyielding determination to learn how to meditate, so I told myself I would dedicate a minimum of 5 years to the practice. With the attitude of a warrior I plodded onward with my meditation practice. (Today I do not recommend this soldier-like approach, it is not necessary at all).

Through much effort (and grace) I gradually began to make some progress and as my mediations went deeper I began to see the connection between all of the techniques and methods I had been shown. I never quit and over the next 17 years of practicing Mushin, and eventually getting to a level where I could teach it to my martial arts students, I refined my abilities and my practice grew deep and strong.

"More peace and joy than I had ever known before"

One day, while in deep meditation, I had a beautiful Satori (epiphany), I discovered a way of organizing the meditation techniques into a very specific sequence. This sequence enabled me to tap into the Mushin state every single time I practiced, with no effort, without falling asleep and with no frustration!!

At first I thought it was to good to be true ... maybe I was just having a good day of practice (some days are just easier than others), but as I continued following this particular formula I had discovered I was able to replicate a deep experience of Mushin over and over. This was incredible for me. It was so easy to experience inner stillness and a level of peace and joy I had never known before. (Today I know I am experiencing the deep stillness and compassion I was affected by in my Sensei all of those years before).

In my wonderment and joy I began sharing this specific sequence and its nuances with my students; they too found that their meditations and ability 'tap into the zone' were effortless and profound. I have been enjoying this practice for so long now that it almost surprises me that people don't know about this powerful yet simple way of releasing stress and experiencing inner peace. I truly love sharing this beautiful art with people and watching them completely transform their lives. Today I call this method of meditation The Art of Mushin.

May you live well and love fearlessly!!

Your friend,

You Can Order The Art of Mushin Here

"I thank you deeply for the energy you dedicate to the physical and spiritual development of others. I thank you personally for the relief, release, and reconnection which you facilitated in me on Thursday night. Mushin is so powerful. I continue to benefit from and greatly enjoy your instruction. Thank You ~ Doug Diamond"

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