Shugyo – Deep Mind Body Training

Tai Chi

As a casual student of martial arts, I’ve always been fascinated by the Eastern approach to training.

Specifically, the concept of Shugyo.

Shugyo is the Japanese pronunciation of a Chinese word that basically means deep mind-body training.

In general, we use the term shugyo for training done in the pursuit of higher levels of consciousness, as well as the refinement of an ability.

I touched on this concept in a previous post discussing the Shaolin Tradition.  Kung Fu is an excellent example of the employment of shugyo in the development of an ability.  Tai Chi is another.

Other abilities where shugyo may be used in their development include seated meditation, or even art such as calligraphy.

Ultimately, the shugyo practitioner seeks to extend their mindfulness efforts into even the most mundane of tasks, such as washing dishes.

The idea is that the enlightenment may even be found even while performing the most basic tasks.

“A connotation of the Japanese term ‘shugyo’ or simply ‘gyo’ (self-cultivation) is that of training the body, but it also implies training, as a human being, the spirit or mind by training the body. In other words, ‘shugyo’ carries the meaning of perfecting the human spirit or enhancing one’s personality (Yuasa Yasuo).”

In the East, the body is given significant attention in the development of self-cultivation, which allows its practitioners to acquire mind-body unity.

The thinking is that through rigorous training of the body, a connection with the mind develops.

In the West, training of the mind and body are often separated and there is heavy reliance on the medical community for improved health.

People dealing with mental health related issues in the west typically rely on psychotherapy and medicine.  The same can be said for many people dealing with obesity and other health issues.

While some wellness practices will encourage exercise as a means of helping to improve mental health, that is usually as far as they go.

The goal of the shugyo practitioner is to push oneself beyond perceived limitations and achieve a deeper understanding of oneself and the world.

Historically, it has been practiced by monks and warriors who would submit themselves to extreme conditions to achieve enhanced or enlightening experiences.

Pushing their limits physically was a means of preparing themselves to sit longer in meditation.

For them, meditation is the means through which they seek spiritual enlightenment.

Many people who have trained in the martial arts have a basic understanding of shugyo, although the term is not usually employed.

Any time we test for promotion to a new level, we experience shugyo, as our instructors push us beyond our perceived limitations.

The first time I experienced shugyo was for my first belt test when I was training in kung fu.

There was a group of students several levels above me who were testing for their red belt.

The red belt test was known at the school as the “endurance test.”

I’ll never forget it.

It was August, and we were in the midst of a brutal heat wave.  There was no air conditioning in the school, just ceiling fans.

Those of us who were finished with our test were told to sit.

One of the instructors then said to those testing for their red belt that it was rumored the last red belt test wasn’t all that difficult.

As a result, they were put through a severe finale to their test, and I remember how exhausted they were.

This was a traditional shugyo exam that pushed each of them beyond what they thought were their own limitations.

They all survived and they then had a better understanding of how hard they could push themselves.

With that said, shugyo is typically viewed as more than just a severe test.

Most view shugyo as a continuous journey rather than a destination, emphasizing the importance of ongoing practice and self-reflection.

Regardless, employing shugyo well help you achieve optimal wellness.