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The Unfettered Mind cover art

The Unfettered Mind

Written by: Takuan Soho, William Scott Wilson - translator
Narrated by: Roger Clark
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Publisher's Summary

This classic samurai-era text fused Japanese swordsmanship with Zen and influenced the direction that the art has taken ever since. Written by the 17th-century Zen master Takuan Soho (1573-1645), The Unfettered Mind is a book of advice on swordsmanship and the cultivation of right mind and intention. It was written as a guide for the samurai Yagyu Munenori, who was a great swordsman and rival to the legendary Miyamoto Musashi. Takuan was a giant in the history of Zen; he was also a gardener, calligrapher, poet, author, adviser to samurai and shoguns, and a pivotal figure in Zen painting. He was known for his brilliance and acerbic wit. In these succinct and pointed essays, Takuan is concerned primarily with understanding and refining the mind - both generally and when faced with conflict. The Unfettered Mind was a major influence on the classic manifestos on swordsmanship that came after it, including Miyamoto Musashi's Book of Five Rings and Yagyu Munenori's Life-Giving Sword.

©1986, 2002 William Scott Wilson (P)2014 Audible Inc.

What listeners say about The Unfettered Mind

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A must read for the Zen curious

Essential read for followers of Musashi or Zen, Budo or history. Zen, how we carry ourselves throughout.

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  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
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Intruiging

I enjoy Zen. Many of the concepts are discernable but the mystical features escape me.

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FIRE

loved everything about it! really turned my mind and soul on, thankyou for this

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Zen Buddhist must read

great book of Zen wisdom for the martial arts and/or spiritual artist. I will definitely have to review this once more

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Absorbing Listening

Very engaging, I could easily listen to it again. It is definitely not just about martial arts.

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