Taikiken Sashi-te - executing defence and attack training
approaching him may be accompanied by psychological uneasiness. This emotional condition is the same even if the opponent is a person who has been practicing the same methods for the same length of time as you.
The only way to overcome the feeling is through practice in Zen and hai, which enable one to move toward the opponent in a state of virtual unconsciousness. Zen and hai training develops abundant power to manifest ki; and this, in turn, enables you to move boldly into an opponent's sphere of defense, no matter what kind of attack he attempts. With such training, the person who might have been uneasy and nervous if he tried such a move consciously can approach his opponent in a sashi-te with unconcern. But this cannot be achieved with the head alone: you must be able to move naturally, instantaneously, and without conscious consideration.
Finally, as I have said before, in order to be able to react to any and all of the opponent's movements, you must not fix your gaze on any one point. From ancient times, Chinese specialists in the martial arts have held that the eye is unreliable. If you stare at the opponent, any feint or diversion he may try to make is likely to upset you. Instead of permitting this to happen, allow your gaze to rest vaguely on the opponent so that you can take in his entire body and all of his actions.