What do you think about at the end of the training session?

I keep wondering what people think about in the short mediation after each training session.  But, then the other question is "do we know what Mokuso is really about"?

Firstly Mokuso roughly translates to "quiet reflection," or  "to breathe".  The aim of practicing mokuso is to clear the mind of all thoughts, to control your breathing and allow the body to relax and return from the intensity of training.  It is also meant to be used to reflect on the training, what you have learned, what you have achieved.


Unfortunately, there is never any clear instructions from instructors about what you are supposed to do in Mokuso.  I was taught and definitely believe it to be the meditative part of martial arts.  In previous generations this was practiced for much longer than the 30 seconds we tend to give it and it is "performed" more out of routine rather than rigger.  Nevertheless it is indeed a real key part of any martial art.

My understanding and way is to use the "breath" meditation.  This is when you focus on your breath and the process of breathing. You body relaxed, but not hunched.  Your back straight and your head tilting forward a little, mouth slightly open.

You breath in slowly and "watch" the air entering through your mouth and and you follow it in to your lungs and continue watching it as it enters various parts of your being.  A slow inhale followed by a slow exhale once again watching the air gathering and drifting out of your mouth/nose.  You hold this thought in your mind and this alone to help clear the mind of all the other thoughts; other diversions.

In fact I was taught not to fight other thoughts of coming into my head as this then diverts attention and concentration and defeats the object of mediation.  You can allow the thoughts enter, but watch them as a spectator, not engaging with them but letting them drift away like helium filled balloons drifting into the horizon until they are no longer visible.

The effort you make with your mind is that of bringing it back to focusing on your breath. Everytime your thought drifts and engages in "conversation" then you gently let go and bring yourself to focus on your breath.

 Sounds easy?  First time I meditated it was less than 5 seconds before I was bombarded with a myriad of thoughts all vying for my attention.  But with regular practice and relaxed perserverance I finally hit the 1 minute mark!!!  And it does have a great calming, relaxing effect.

As with all things the more you practice the longer you will be able to meditate. But if you want to practice for more than a few minutes, I suggest you set aside another time in the day as it is unlikely that it will  happen at the end of a training session!!