Sparring

Scent. Sight. Hearing. Take it all in, but don't focus on anything. "Too many minds" it's called. No, I don't hear voices in my head. Feel. Trust my feelings...my senses. You'll have to pardon me today. I am just processing outloud. Let me back up a little. Last week at karate, we did this blindfold exercise. Basically, you walk around with your eyes closed and a blindfold on. There are several others doing the same thing at the same time and there are 2 or 3 unblindfolded people grabbing your arms or covering your mouth, or something like that. It sounds kind of freaky, but it is a controlled situation and is actually kind of fun! Last week when we were doing the blindfold exercise, I did really well for once (the first time was not so good). To make a long story short, I paid attention and was able to stop just short of running into the "bad guy"--even flinching out of the way--several times. Honestly, I couldn't see with my eyes. It is very strange to describe. I kind of felt like Luke Skywalker, but it wasn't all wierd "the force is with you" type stuff. It was just paying attention to everything, but nothing. I know it sounds really wierd. Fast forward back to last night and sparring. Now I am trying to put those two things together: being aware of my surroundings (which is helpful in a lot of ways), and sparring/fighting. It is reacting, but from my feelings and not necessarily to what I see because that can be distracting. Hmm...a lot to think about.