The Way of Water: Kintaro's Path to Mental Discipline

Journaling prompt: How has your upbringing and past experiences shaped your thought patterns and emotional reactions? Identify specific instances where you adopted beliefs or behaviors from others.

“Your father gave you his ways of viewing the world which were deeply embedded in attaching to words and overusing them to the point of self-destruction.”

Recognize the situations, thoughts, or emotions that trigger your overthinking and anxiety. Document specific examples.

“Likewise your worrying and anxiety is caused by an inability to know things in the future with certainty and giving up that certainty is an act of rebellion against your overthinking mind.”

Practice mindful breathing meditation, similar to Kintaro's training. Focus on your breath and observe thoughts without judgment.

“Every day for at least 30 minutes I want you to come sit here by this river and meditate... and you will direct your awareness to your breath when you inhale count to one and when you exhale count to two do this with each inhale and exhale up to 10 then start back at 1.”

Engage your senses fully in your daily activities. Pay attention to sights, sounds, smells, tastes, and textures without judgment.

“While doing his daily meditation he became aware of a group of birds chirping just above the river without shifting his eyes away from his meditation practice he simply just allowed himself to listen to each chirp intently and eventually he found himself not trying to categorize what he was listening to he didn't judge the sound or put a name to it the sound just was.”

Identify situations or emotions you tend to resist. Practice accepting them as they are, without trying to change or control them.

“To become fully one with the present moment is to fully accept that no amount of overthinking will ever change the outcome of what will happen.”

If possible, engage in a physical activity like sword practice or yoga. Focus on the sensations of your body and the flow of movement, letting go of mental distractions.

“He no longer tried to analyze what his opponent would do first and instead followed the flow of his opponent's present movements by not trying to anticipate he anticipated everything.”