Zen and Sports

"The spirit of Zen is not only important for Judo (the martial arts) but for all sports. Zen puts stress on living fully in the moment, and this mood is necessary for all sports. Both Zen and sports emphasize training, observance of rules, learning from masters, and objective excellence. Other similarities include their common stress on attention to details, grace of movement, and growing by participation. While perhaps less evident in some sports than in Zen, is the ultimate aim of freedom from obsession to defeat and victory. The Zen of sport and the sport of Zen can both lead to more meaningful living."

--- Masunaga Reiho (Zen and Judo teacher)