| The literal meaning of the expression "Osu!" can be | | | | when you're not holding anything back, your whole |
| determined from the kanji (Chinese characters) from | | | | being is involved, and still you are stuck. It is precisely at |
| which the term is derived (see above). Osae means | | | | this moment, when your whole energy is invested, that |
| "to press" and shinobu means "patience" or "steady | | | | you become aware of the absurdity - as never |
| spirit". These two symbols are combined in the | | | | before. Only at that peak do you "realize" that this |
| traditional Japanese martial arts to form Osu, which | | | | problem is absurd-it cannot be "solved" with the mind. |
| translates as "persevere while pushing oneself to the | | | | And with that realization, the koan is experienced and |
| absolute limit". A cursory reading of this definition might | | | | therefore understood. In karate, kumite serves as the |
| tempt one to think that advancement in karate than is | | | | koan. No matter how hard you train, no matter how |
| therefore equated with the development of extreme | | | | much weight you can lift, no matter how fast you are, |
| physical and mental strength. However, to stop at this | | | | you may still be defeated. And the Sensei pushes you, |
| understanding would be to miss the point of karate | | | | "Work harder". It is not until you have given everything |
| completely. Certainly, one can push oneself to the limit | | | | you have to give and it is still not enough that you |
| in any sport and achieve incredible feats of body and | | | | "realize" (experience) the absurdity of your ego trying |
| mind. So how is karate different? True growth in the | | | | to overcome an opponent. It is at this moment that the |
| martial arts requires moving beyond ego-centred | | | | barrier to a deeper source of wisdom is removed. |
| thoughts of personal gain and loss. For this reason, the | | | | Now your movements, coming without thoughts, may |
| term "moving Zen" is sometimes used when speaking | | | | be fluid and precise. |
| of martial arts practice. To illustrate how "pushing | | | | The key point is that, in both zazen and karate, the |
| oneself to the absolute limit" in moving Zen can lead to | | | | koan must be experienced rather than intellectualised in |
| spiritual growth, the concept of koan training in zazen | | | | order for transformation to occur. As demonstrated |
| (formal seated Zen) is described below. | | | | above, the experience cannot occur until one has truly |
| Zazen practice has its own particular technique, called | | | | persevered in giving maximum effort. In "Zen, Pen, and |
| a koan. A koan is an absurd puzzle. There is no | | | | Sword," Randall G. Hassle explains that Osu may be |
| rational way to "solve" it; it is an impossibility, an | | | | used as a strong affirmative reply in the dojo even if |
| impasse for the mind. Regardless of your | | | | full understanding is not yet present. It is similar to the |
| determination to provide the zazen master with the | | | | idea of two people riding in a car on an icy road on the |
| "correct" answer to the riddle, your efforts are futile. | | | | edge of a deep canyon. If you are the passenger, and |
| Suddenly you are stuck, and the master continues | | | | the driver says, "Are you okay?", you might reply |
| saying to you, "Work hard! You are not working hard | | | | "Osu!", indicating that, while there's nothing you can do |
| enough." And the harder you work (i.e. think), the more | | | | to make the situation better or less dangerous at the |
| you are stuck, moving nowhere: you cannot go back, | | | | moment, your spirit is satisfied that the best that can |
| you cannot move forward. And the master continues | | | | be done at the moment is being done. |
| hammering you, "Work harder!" A moment comes | | | | |