Photo courtesy of Centrifuga
Zanshin is not about outcome, rather it is about internal state. Notice in the film I posted the other day, on some of the faces you can guess at the outcome of the shot - that is a glitch in that person's zanshin. That student's mind is churning on something internal - approving or disapproving of something.
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You don't have to approve or disaprove of the outcome because that doesn't change your performance. Just observe and trust your subconscious to adjust your next performance toward a better outcome.
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Thus, zanshin is somethiing like poker face - only backwards. You are not trying to keep your face blank in order to fake your opponent out. Rather, if you can get your internal state right, your face reflects nothing. So your face can be a measuring stick to gage your zanshin.
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Patrick Parker, is a Christian, husband, father, judo and aikido teacher, Program Director for a Cardiac Rehab, and a Ph.D. Contact: mokurendojo@gmail.com or phone 601.248.7282
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