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Writings of the Zen Master to the Sword Master
Takuan Soho (1573-1645)

We say that:

If one puts his mind in the action of his opponent 's body, his mind will be taken by the action of his opponent body.

If he puts his mind in thoughts of his opponent's intention to strike him, his mind will be taken by thoughts of his opponent's intention to strike him.

If he puts his mind in his own sword, his mind will be taken by his own sword.

If he puts his mind in his own intention of not been struck, his mind will be taken by his intention of not being struck.

What this means is that there is no place to put the mind.

A certain person once said," No matter where I put my mind, my intentions are held in check in the place where my mind goes, and I lose to my opponent. Because of that, I place my mind just below my navel and do not let it wander. Thus am I able to change according to the actions of my opponent."

This is reasonable. But viewed from the highest standpoint of Buddhism, this is a low level of understanding. It is at a level of discipline and training. It is at the level of seriousness.

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