Philosophy of No-Mind

<p>Nishihira Tadashi one of Japan's leading philosophers introduces the deeply experiential philosophy of no-mind (<i>mushin</i>). In everyday Japanese <i>mushin</i> is when one loses oneself in the reality of the present and becomes one with it resulting in one's best performance. However behind this everyday use is a concept that touches the core of Japanese spirituality. <p/> This book explores no-mind in its dynamic complexity. It is both the letting go of the calculations of mind and at the same time the arising of a vibrant consciousness in unity with reality. This gives rise to various tensions: Is it about negating or affirming self? Is stillness or activity? How does it relate with social ethics or religious transcendence? And what is stopping no-mind from descending into mere mindlessness? <p/> These tensional facets are explored through philosophy and history of thought in Japan from pre-Buddhist Japanese thought to Zen Buddhism in D.T. Suzuki and Toshihiko Izutsu to swordsmanship and Noh theater. These historical approaches are brought to the here-and-now dialoguing with psychology ethics and the experiences of everyday life and ending with two preliminary practical explorations-What does it mean to care for another and to educate from the point of view of no-mind?</p>