Karate Essence, ‘Ethical Philosophy’, the 5th Element, Senshin/Enlightened Mind/Purified Heart
- tdmckinnon0
- 6 days ago
- 9 min read
Karate Essence
Ethical Philosophy
洗心
Senshin, the 5th Element:
Enlightened Mind
By T.D. McKinnon Hanshi Photograph & Editing by Zoё Lake
During the last several months, we have explored a number of concepts; four of which are elements of the Full Mantle. Shoshin, Zanshin, Mushin, and Fudoshin make up four fifths of the seamless, shining armour of the Budoka or advanced karateka; the final piece of the Mantle, the ‘Fifth Element’, is Senshin.
Table of Contents
The 5th Element
The Mantle
Enveloped in the Mantle
Conclusion
The 5th Element
Shoshin frees you from the frustrations that often accompany learning, giving you the serenity to see with an open, inquisitive mind. Zanshin raises your total awareness, enabling you to see everything, missing nothing. Mushin releases you from anxiety; allowing you to act and react without emotion or thought to cloud your judgement, enabling your study, training, skills and abilities to function at maximum proficiency. Fudoshin provides the confidence to stand your ground in the face of overwhelming odds. Senshin, the Fifth Element, completes the five spirits of Budō, or the full Mantle of the Budōka: the Spiritual Warrior.
The Fifth Element, Senshin, has no exact, literal translation. However, in line with the teachings of Ueshiba Morihei, Founder of the Japanese art of Aikidô, Senshin takes on the Budō meaning of the ‘enlightened’ or ‘purified’ mind/heart or spirit. In Chinese Medicine, the heart is the location of the mind, which is probably why the most common translation for Shin is mind or heart. So, concerning the Budōka, Senshin might be said to be ‘the state of the enlightened mind’. Senshin transcends and harmonises the first four elements in a spirit of compassion to reconcile discord and hold all life sacred. Fully embracing Senshin, therefore, is to become enlightened.
The Mantle
You can learn as many physical arts as you want, and I’ve studied a few, but unless you take on the full ‘Mantle’ you will only skate across the surface. The physicality of the arts will only be a sequence of moves; consequently, in combat, whomsoever is most inspired on the day will be the victor.
This Mantle I speak of doesn’t just find you when you train, study and learn the physicality of your art; you must actively seek it out.
Zanshin (残心) Lingering Mind: being still within, while aware of one's surroundings and ‘totally prepared, for anything’. Zanshin, a ‘Zen state of mind’: a physical, mental and spiritual, totally calm alertness.
The Budōka strives to have Zanshin as their default setting… to always live totally in the moment.
Prior to beginning my traditional Karate training, I had been a British Parachute Regiment soldier and so, quite naturally, Zanshin was the first constituent of the Mantle that I instinctively understood. The motto of the British Army's Parachute Regiment is ‘Utrinque Paratus’, which is Latin for ‘Ready for anything’. This motto reflects the elite airborne infantry's role as rapid-response shock troops, trained to deploy by air and face threats anywhere in the world.
Mushin (無心) No Mind: not over-thinking things, being open and ready to receive whatever might come. Without the clouds of judgement, driven by emotion, the uncluttered mind deals with life from the moment point.’
Quite early on my Karate-Do path I understood, intellectually, four of the five elements of the Mantle; however, my intuitive understanding took a little longer. I tended to overthink things. While in the high risk security industry, initially, it was my habit to size up a situation and plan several, rational, contingencies so that I might not be taken by surprise in an unfolding situation. However, in so doing, I was actually limiting my options. After coming through several completely unexpected situations that I did not pre-empt for – reacting in the most appropriate manner at several twists and turns – I came to understand and trust my Mushin. Subsequently, instinctively, I understood the concept of Mushin: ‘trust, and live in the moment.’
Shoshin (初心) Beginners' Mind: beginner’s mind is the quintessential mindset for learning. In the beginner’s mind there is openness, eagerness, and a lack of preconceptions. With Shoshin there are many possibilities no matter the level of study.’
Shoshin, the element that makes most sense and is so obvious, took me the longest time to intuitively realise. Again, I tended to overthink and complicate things. All I really needed to do was clear away preconceptions: simplify, and eagerly, openly absorb every facet of every experience.
Fudoshin (不動心) Immovable Mind: a peaceful state of total determination and unshakable will. It is the state of a spirit that is determined to win. Filled with courage, endurance and self-confidence through self-knowledge, Fudoshin provides you with the resolve to surmount any obstacle.’
For me, Fudoshin was the fourth element to click into place. Your skill levels need to be fairly advanced but, more importantly, your belief in yourself needs to be flawless. It is important to hone your skills to the point where ‘you believe’ they will emerge when and where you need them. You must erase any doubts.
Senshin, the 5th Element (洗心): Purified spirit/Enlightened Attitude; also, the enlightened mind of the Budōka. Holding all life sacred, you strive to protect and be in harmony with all life.’ Seeing the best in humanity, you endeavour to foster compassion even for those who would do you harm. With Senshin, recognising the universal connectedness of life, you understand how one simple act affects every aspect of life. You see the dilemma and the worth of life with your heart, mind and soul.’
The enlightened mind; what does that even mean? I never tried to intellectualise Senshin; ‘the enlightened mind’ sounded a little too airy-fairy… However, once Fudoshin slipped into place, Senshin, the final element, settled upon me like a Mantle. Henceforth, I knew the comforting surety of the full Mantle.
Senshin is achievable; however, not only must the mind be enlightened but the spirit must be cleansed too. Only the Budōka with the enlightened attitude and purified intention will achieve ‘the full Mantle of the Spiritual Warrior.’
The high-pitched screech of brakes echoes through the chilly winter’s night. Piling out of two cars they come on in an angry rush.
Spaced a couple of paces apart, one hand out, palm facing them, one hand on a holstered Glock 19 pistol-grip, we stand our ground. Two against many… but they stop anyway.
‘Get your hands off the guns!’ yells one, nervously.
They are gangsters, bullies! Hands under coats, their weapons are hidden but evident. Undisciplined, noisy, cursing and issuing threats, they mill together ‘like fish in a barrel.’
We are professionals, and they know it. I pitch my voice to be heard over the din… ‘Get back in your vehicles and drive away!’ I don’t threaten, but the warning is implicit.
They hesitate… before one of them says, “What! Are you nuts! We outnumber you better than four to one… Do you think you’re invincible or something?!”
When my response is a small, enigmatic smile his expression is priceless. However, still verbally abusing us, they back off. And then, as a wailing police siren pierces the night air, continuing to yell abuse from the cars, they speed off into the night. Our clients are safe… for tonight anyway.
I have no doubt – recognising we were highly trained professionals, unaffected by bullying and bluster – they knew that, had they pushed the envelope, 'the spectre of death’ would have walked among their number that night.
Conclusion
The ‘Path of the Budōka’ is a lifelong journey, and the acquisition of the full ‘Mantle’ of the ‘Spiritual Warrior’ is different for everyone. The heritage of the Samurai is not acquired lightly; the acquisition of the full Mantle takes much physical, mental, and spiritual endurance, but it is achievable.
While writing these ‘Ethical Philosophy’ Blog posts, it has become my practice to use anecdotes to emphasize the particular theme of the Blog post. I am extremely fortunate, in having lived such a full life on the ‘Path of the Budōka’, and surviving decades in an industry that, by its very nature, provided me with a wealth of anecdotal material regarding surviving adverse situations. Treading the Path of the Budōka gave me direction and assisted my survival, and being a writer enables my narration of those chronicles. And just to clarify today’s anecdote:
We were not, nor did we think we were, invincible. We were simply uncluttered by emotion (Mushin). We were calm, alert and aware (Zanshin). We were completely, confidently and fearlessly focused in the moment (Fudoshin). We were open to learning from the experience, even at this stage (Shoshin). Also, we were ready to embrace ‘any eventuality’; unafraid, even unto the ultimate sacrifice (Senshin).
No… we were not invincible, but we were securely enveloped in the full Mantle of the Spiritual Warrior.
Thank You to the Readers
As always, thank you for following the ‘Karate Essence’ and I hope you are taking value from the 2026, ‘Ethical Philosophy’ Blog posts.
Thank you also for continuing to support my latest book, ‘A Budōka Odyssey’. The reviews continue to be excellent!
Top reviews from Australia
Reviewed in Australia on 8 April 2025
Verified Purchase
This book is easy to read in short or long sessions - such an inspirational life story of an amazing guy. Well worth the read.
5.0 out of 5 stars
Reviewed in Australia on 28 May 2024
Written by a man who has lived the life of a modern warrior. His ability to recognise the lessons and gifts in any situation and the having the humility to seek out those who can help you better yourself are important traits we should all endeavour to achieve not just in our own martial arts’ odyssey but in life.
Top reviews from the United Kingdom
Carl Slee
5.0 out of 5 stars
‘A Fascinating Book’
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 23 October 2024
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A fascinating book, and not just for those interested in martial arts. Although if you are, this is one of those rare books that will help in not just the development of karate skills but in the facilitation of those psychological states (rarely discussed) of the true karateka.
From early childhood to the present day, Shihan McKinnon shares his adventures as, Truant, Soldier, Nightclub bouncer and Bodyguard as well as Business man but always as a fighter. And in this book he shares with us the ‘gifts’ and ‘Lessons’ that come from such a ‘life worth lived’.
A rare book, in that I found myself re-reading pages, chapters or passages over and over to further understand how such insights related to my own life. And this is the ‘gift’ of this book, I think that each person, whatever gender, age or interest will find something at some point within it, that is very personal and that will reverberate for them, long after reading.
Thank you Shihan
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 20 July 2024
I have to say that I found this book to be compulsive reading. For someone who was born and raised in the West of Scotland I was immediately drawn to T.D. McKinnon’s Scottish roots. He writes in such a concise and realistic manner. As someone with no knowledge of karate and martial arts, I have nevertheless found the main themes of the book easy to follow and this has made me review experiences drawn from my own life. The concept of ‘gifts and lessons’ applies to all life, not just karate. I would recommend this book to anyone, particularly those who are deeply involved in a sport of any kind, and who is striving to be the best person they can be. Read, learn and enjoy.
Thank you for this book, T.D. McKinnon.
Top review from the United States
Minimal shopper
5.1 out of 5 stars
‘A Fine Man Shares a Life of Budō’
Reviewed in the United States on May 18, 2024
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At over 500 pages there is a lot of content in this autobiographical journey. A quick overview is as follows:
Author Shihan TD McKinnon has had ALOT of fights in his life; starting under the age of 6! He tells the narrative of his life through all those fights and what he learned about himself and life along the way. I appreciate that he doesn’t make self-defense fighting seem glamorous and one sided. He talks about injuries, dangers, and making alternate choices to physical violence as a reality.
This book emphasizes lessons like ‘never quit’, ‘move on to the next venture’, ‘stay in the moment and learn what you can along the way’. I recommend it for young and old, karate people and non-karate folks. He carries the journey into today with a very relevant subject - training and aging. Take it on your next plane trip, or beach vacation. And if you’re a karate instructor, you can work it into your teaching.
This book does not disappoint!
Many are called few follow the way of the truth.