The Significance of “mushin”: The Essential Mind of Zen Buddhist Philosophy for Humans in a Contemporary World

In an era dominated by digital networks and constant information flow, people often engage with technology physically but without mindful awareness. This has led to a neglect of human creativity, original thinking, and the transmission of ideas necessary for innovation. The Zen Buddhist philosophy of mind offers a dynamic approach to re-creating and reconstructing human life through the concept of "mu" (無), or absolute nothingness, and "mu-shin" (無心), the mind of mu. This philosophy presents a flexible, unified activity that counters the passive consumption of digital media by reawakening creative and mindful engagement.

Study at a glance

Abstract

In our time of an information highway, digital networks are linked around the clock. Among various data many people are unconsciously depending on IT and digital medias with their body––but without any mind. The human origin, its creative thinking and acting, transmitting one idea to another for reforming and developing something new has been quite forgotten. Against this omnipresent phenomenon the Zen Buddhist Philosophy of Mind shows a dynamic approach to re-create and re-construct a human life, accompanied by the unique concept of the absolute one, “mu” (無), mu-shin (無心), the mind of mu presents a dynamic unity in its flexible activity.