Monday, April 25, 2011

Minimum Effort and Maximum Efficiency in Judo


This principle is the heart of Judo and can probably be best summed up in this quote by Jigoro Kano himself.

"If I now state in a concise form what I have said, it might be summed up as follows:

Judo is a study and training in mind and body as well as in the regulation of one's life and affairs. From the thorough study of the different methods of attack and defense I became convinced that they all depend on the application of one all-pervading principle, namely: "Whatever be the object, it can best be attained by the highest or maximum efficient use of mind and body for that purpose". Just as this principle applied to the methods of attack and defense constitutes Jiujitsu, so does this same principle, applied to physical, mental and moral culture, as well as to ways of living and carrying on of business, constitute the study of, and the training in, those things."

When the fundamental reasoning behind this principle is fully understood, you will realise that it can be applied to all aspects of one's life and activities and help you to be clearly focused and effective in all areas of your life. This principle is fundamentally linked to the principle of Mutual Welfare and Benefit in that this second principle is central to the cultivation of the first principle of Minimum Effort, Maximum Efficiency.

By two people training in this method of Mutual Welfare and Benefit, they can both clearly develop the principle of Minimum Effort, Maximum Efficiency and this can further be applied to all areas of life.

The ultimate goal in Judo is to develop in it's practitioners a sense of respect of these two fundamental principles, so that he can reach his potential in all areas of life while simultaneously developing the physical traits and skills of attacking and defending in the art of Judo. If we look at the current state of the world and the different forms of morality that exist to bring the world closer to an ideal state we can easily get the sense that something is missing. It's easy to see how the very ideas that are meant to bring us closer to an ideal state, (religious, philosophical, or traditional) sometimes actually stand in the way of an ideal state in the world by causing conflict.

By embracing these fundamental principles of Judo in everyday life we can bring the world closer to an ideal state. Think of how much better off the world would be if everyone understood the power of these two principles and applied them to every area of their life. Imagine the possibilities that could be brought to life through these highest teachings of Minimum Effort, Maximum 

Efficiency and Mutual Welfare and Benefit that Jigoro Kano introduced through the art of Judo.
Obviously this doesn't mean that these principles should replace all the institutions of morality that exist today, but that they could be accentuated and be made more effective by focusing on the highest principles in Judo which would only serve to make the world a better place.
Jigoro Kano designed Judo to be a martial art that is based on science and fact and not opinion. If Judo were to be critically examined, he wanted it's reasoning to be clear and based on scientific, verifiable evidence. He didn't want to have to persuade others of its efficiency. He wanted the art itself to do that and he wanted everyone to be able to draw their own conclusions concerning it. 

So the highest principle involved in Judo would naturally become Minimum Effort, Maximum Efficiency. It is also obvious that Mutual Welfare and Benefit should be the highest objective of any organization and society.

With the scientific advancements that were gaining momentum, he wanted his modernized martial art to reflect this.


Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/4072581

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