A few zen methods
Zen Master Hughes’ philosophy, rooted in Zen principles and the metaphor of "being
like water," emphasized practical, everyday application over abstract doctrine or rigid
hierarchy. Compared to other spiritual teachings, his approach stands out in several
key ways:
Practical Application in Hughes’ Philosophy
Focus on the Present Moment: Hughes taught that "the moment is special,"
encouraging students to seize and fully experience the present, much like the Zen
tradition’s emphasis on mindfulness and immediacy.
Intuition and Direct Experience: Hughes prioritized intuition and personal revelation
over dogma, mirroring Zen’s core value of direct, experiential understanding rather
than reliance on scriptures or external authorities.
Adaptability and Non-Force: His martial arts teaching, especially jujitsu, embodied
the idea of "not to overcome force with force, but be like water," promoting flexibility
and creative problem-solving in daily life rather than confrontation or rigidity.
Empowerment and Self-Mastery: Hughes used martial arts as a vehicle for
developing confidence, leadership, and self-mastery, translating spiritual principles
into tangible life skills.
Citations:
[1] https://www.mindful.org/how-to-be-more-compassionate-a-mindful-guide-to-
compassion/
[2] https://www.enotes.com/topics/thank-you-mam/themes/compassion
[3] https://www.lynnebaab.com/articles/new---the-compassion-and-empathy-of-jesu
[4] https://www.sparknotes.com/lit/narrative/section5/
[5] https://www.epinsight.com/post/the-p-in-pace-playfulness
[6] https://positivepsychology.com/why-is-compassion-important/
[7] https://www.enotes.com/topics/thank-you-mam/questions/how-does-mrs-jones-s-
response-to-roger-s-actions-2611272
[8] https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4380560/