Hi Everyone,

There's been lot's of tales written down about the old masters experiencing a higher state of awareness during combat, i've read instances where people have actually described a feeling of being out of their body when fighting, has anyone else experienced this phenominon or do you think it's just mythical BS?

Regards,

James.

I think they didn't know how to correctly explain adrenaline. You won't feel anything until it's over.

read any war vet's testimony...it is certainly not mythical BS, and I consider myself a sceptic of such things...there is just too much evidence to ignore. perception changes during insane life or death combat. first hand -I can't tell you. having read a bit about it from various sources at various time periods/wars, I can confidently say...'something' is experienced. A common theme is clarity similar to what Japanese call zanshin. probably not mystical, but not fully understood yet.
Read some WWII perspectives.

In an intense emotional state, such as in mortal combat, your 'reptilian' brain takes over and when that happens, who knows what can or might happen to you.

Those exceptional individuals, perhaps great warriors of the past, who can consciously harness these unknown human energetic potential became the great warriors that they were.

of course! they had all of there efforts in life into becoming better at what they did. maybe we just use the left brain completly?

Zanshin probably isn't the best way to describe this, since Zanshin is "Remaining Mind" keeping your mind completely aware of your surroundings. Just a point I thought should be made. It isn't a combat only awarenss, its a training to never let your eye move from the opponent, and to never take any aspect around you for granted simply "as it is". Its a similar experience as some Chinese Gung-fu/Qi-Gong/etc masters try to teach their students with Void Mind... Its in every combat training... Its basically a way to harness the Alpha brainwave, which is a meditive state the mind reaches when it basically "stops thinking".

But, yes. I agree, there are times when your awareness becomes intense and its almost a hyper-awareness. Its not spiritual training (Although I think those who have trained their bodies have a greater control and understanding of this part, since they actively work to maintain an Alpha Brainwave status in advanced training.) but a human response to danger/death. Instinct is a wonderful thing.

Sorry for the typo.

Oh, in that case

similar to this...
I started studying the sword, informally, a while back, and I had found a tsuka technique I wanted to try. For no particular reason, I did a draw & cut first, and then put the blade back into the scabbard... then I looked down at my hands, one on the tsuka, one on the saya, and realized that I had just put the blade away straight -without noto, without looking or thinking about it. it seemed as if the sword had gone back into the saya by itself. I couldn't move for something like five minutes. and I've never experienced that again, but it was truely awesome.

indeed. though I think it is likely nothing more than a facinating coincidence in this case.

i can barely imagine the emotions you felt, must have been so crazy.