Product Description It is a historical journey that begins where it should, the birthplace of the martial arts at Shaolin Temple and ends at the Budokan in Japan. Over two years in the making, this is an epic account of today s greatest martial arts teachers and the mind connection that exists between them regardless of their very diverse styles. Taking a giant leap from the traditional martial arts of Japan to Chinese kungfu may seem improbable but the connection is much closer than you may think, especially in the daily practice. As we weave our story between the two countries and the various martial arts you begin to realize that the teachers in our interviews often overlap and repeat each others words... though they may be generations apart and thousands of miles from each other, in spirit and philosophy they are the same. Says Warrior Monk ShiDeRu of the Shaolin Temple: We try to see the origin of ourselves, not just Chinese, American or Japanese but as a being that is part of the universe... The emptiness of the mind is linked to the body s energy that is colorless... its nothingness. To illustrate the mind-body connection we take you into the daily practice of each martial art. You will step inside the Aikido Headquarters in Japan and the JKA and JKS Shotokan Karate Honbu Dojos to experience the daily training. Witness the power of bushido as you sit ringside at the Japan Kendo Championships or the zen concentration of the archer in the Japan Kyudo championships. Through interviews and intimate filming of their daily training, you will experience the philosophical and physical elements that unite all great masters of the martial arts. We show you why the mind-body connection plays such an important role in martial arts. We describe it as being one with your space or universe says Moriteru Uesheba, Aikido master... It is called mushin where movement is spontaneous within a state of nothingness. This clear state of mind can only be achieved say all the great martial arts masters, through constant daily practice in order to reach the mental and physical conditioning needed. In the spirit of zen or budo we call this mushin which is an empty mind says legendary karate grandmaster Hirokazu Kanazawa, 10th Dan... It is a state of total control and concentration to enable you to arrive at your objective in life, which is the mental attitude you need in your journey to find success. In this sense, The Empty Mind is not just for martial artists, but for anyone who wishes to improve themselves both spiritually and physically in order to find happiness in their every day life. Featuring: Moriteru Ueshiba, Masahiko Tanaka, Masao Kagawa, Hirokazu Kanazawa, Teruyuki Okazaki, Monk Shi DeYang, Master Zhang Shengli, Master Yuan, Master Zhong, AJKF Kendo and the ANKF Kyudo Federations. This Version is remastered with surround sound and in widescreen format. Soundtrack composed and performed by Richard Brookens of Yellowbell and available on CD Review Every now and then you round a corner in life and get smacked in the face by a couple of ideas or products that share a common theme. In my case, it was a pair of DVD's one of which is titled, The Empty Mind: The Spirit and Philosophy of Martial Arts. Some might say it was serendipity that brought them to my desk on the same day, but I prefer to think it was more mundane: The Martial Arts have come of age. I'll talk about The Empty Mind first. Several weeks ago, a Kenpo black belt named James Bennet dropped off the DVD for me to watch. I asked him if it was another one of those amateur efforts. He insisted it wasn't. So I gave it a look. I must say I was impressed. It certainly wasn't a collection of home movies. It is a coherent production that was professionally filmed in Japan and China. Crafted by Jon Braeley, of Empty Mind Films, it profiles practitioners of Aikido, Karate, Kendo, Kyudo, Shaolin Kingfu, Tai Chi and Wushu as they plied their trade in the dojo and at tournaments. The styles were presented as artistic endeavors that steel the character and build the body no matter what age the student. The production was proof positive that filmmakers now view the martial arts as legitimate pursuits that are worthy of the finest documentary treatment. This could be shown on the National Geographic Channel tonight and no one would suspect that it was not a multi-million dollar project helmed by Hollywood heavyweights. On a more personal note, this documentary rekindled my fire for the Asian ways of combat. In this age of mixed martial arts, when all that matters is the destination, this film reinforces the notion that in life it's the journey that really counts. By Robert W. Young, Editor, Black Belt Magazine. --BLACK BELT MAGAZINE, April 2010. by Robert W. Young, Editor, Black Belt.
M**A
The Empty Mind
As an entry level movie for those beginning to look at Empty Mindedness, this movie is good. It captures some key points of what Empty Mindedness is about in Martial Arts, but some of the Martial Demonstrations are disappointing. The majority of the demonstrations of Shaolin were the usual scenes which one will find in most documentaries about shaolin with nothing truly standing out. The fighting was choreographed in a modern wushu style but it was to the point where one could tell that it was choreographed and the preformers were boxed in by a rigid routine. The Qi gong conditioning with the spears is always impressive but again it was nothing new. Also the Kendo conpetition was nothing more than people yelling and beating each other quickly with sticks. Not much technique could be gathered from the preformance but there was plenty of yelling and hesitant blows. What used to be tactical, and focused fights, mocking what was once a life or death match of steel swords.The demonstrations of the Karate impressed me because of the knowledge and skill of those preforming the technique and this p art of the film is worth watching a few times. Also the Aikido was well preformed although there was not enough to show its application in an actual situation like many of the other arts. The scenes from Wu Dang mountain were impressive in some ways but not in others. The flexibility of the practitioners were impressive some of the other skills like the forms. However,the sparring again seemed to choreographed although done better than the sparring from shaolin, it was not free.The most impressive scenes in the movie came in the form of the Qi Gong ( all of it in any section) and the masters practicing unchoreographed in the park in Bejing. These masters/practictioners truly followed the mushin or no mindedness technique of immediate reaction to any situation. The movements as displayed were choreographed in the forms but not in application. Also, it is as if they have practiced the forms to the point where they have become part of the practitioner and not a choreographed series of steps. They have gotten to the point of no form.
P**L
Empty Mind?
The key thing about this documentary is that it only revolves around the analysis of the "empty mind" as opposed to analysis of the martial art itself. If one should choose to buy this product, be forewarned that it provides little to no description of how to practice any of the martial arts.Also, note that if one does not practice martial arts, it would relatively difficult to comprehend at the level that they are expecting you to. Although this review was not meant to attack non-practicioners, it is most definetely NOT a starting point for beginners.Besides that, the DVD includes a great deal of unique footage that is worthy of watching. If you have any interest in the mindset of the martial artist, this is definetely the DVD for you. If you're looking for a DVD that teaches, this is not for you.Quality is top notch. Scenery, footage, all filmed on the spot with no interference from the producers. No stage was set up (apparently) during the filming. Everything that you see in this DVD is exactly what you would see if you walked into a martial arts practice environment.Overall - Highly Reccomended for anyone interested in the philosophical aspect of martial arts.
S**N
A Good Documentary on Martial Arts
From a production and visual standpoint "The Empty Mind" is definitely a 5, but from the standpoint of a deep discussion about Mushin (No Mind) it is lacking. The film is marketed with a focus on Mushin...however the subject is only briefly touched on. Those expecting an in depth discussion of the spiritual aspects of martial arts may be dissapointed in the film.However, if as a lay person you are interested in a well produced, visually impressive film that depicts martial arts in a realistic and beautiful fashion, "The Empty Mind" is a great film.I give the film a 2-3 for its treament of Mushin, but a 5 for its production value and good basic knowledge of martial arts.
S**N
THE EMPTY MIND
Great to see many of the martial arts master s still teaching.Braeley has the unique pleasure of finding and interviewing these masters of so many arts.It is worth getting the disc just to see one master let alone the many listed. However, at 81 and been interested in the martial arts for 50 years I am pleased to see that I am not the only one getting a few wrinkles here and there, but can still strike like a thunderbolt..!!Stan ChunWellingtonNew Zealand9 June, 2017
A**N
Good but not so deep
First I want to say that the CD I recieved was cover with scratches. When I emailed the customer service they sent me a new Cd, but...It was cover with scratches again! Anyway it was possible to see the film.I think the film touch only the surface of the things. The problem may be the want of the film maker to touch to many kind of martial arts. Maybe a focus on 2 or 3 of the martial art was enough. I find the DVD nice but a bit shallow.
J**K
Great for any Martial Artist
This is a great film with insight and no insight. It's The Empty Mind.Masters thoughts and views are priceless.
A**W
Must watch for martial artists...
I really enjoyed the in-depth look into the various Eastern martial arts, particularly karate. Those who practice martial arts will find much value in the words and insight these masters offer through this documentary.
P**.
I love it
I love it thist documentary
Trustpilot
3 weeks ago
1 week ago
