What training elements provide the "mental clarity" that you have the karateka pursuing? How do you build that skill?
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As a preface, I note "Instructor" has developed his thesis on "mushin." I haven't reviewed his work. We should recognize that this is a critically important foundational mental principle directly spelled out in the Shotokan syllabus.
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You know in all these debates, such as "TMA vs. MMA," which is better, etc. there is a ton of descriptive talk looking at the expression of the arts from the view of an observer, including the participant themselves. To competently answer these questions, I started my own traditional karate training manual. I actually took the manual to a local kung fu school to show the school instructor, hoping to be accepted with him supporting my approach I was developing. Instead, he basically told me to "get lost." However, I persisted and came back when the Master who owned the school was on the premises. He did take a look at my personal manual. He clearly wasn't impressed with my style of karate, kinda talked it down. Then he took the school instructor aside and told him to let me come & train on whatever basis i wanted....
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To speak directly to your question, my traditional karate training regimen in my manual has 5 components: (1) conditioning, (2) kihon or basics, (3) kata (forms or patterns), (4) self defense applications, (5) kumite or sparring. I also did a supplemental section on simple fighting combinations made up from the kihon techniques and some applied techniques. My approach to kumite was extraordinarily traditional with the major emphasis on 1-step sparring or ippon kumite. The nature of the regimen is of a progression starting with (1) conditioning and moving to the top with (5) sparring. The supplemental fighting combo's were treated as an extension of (2) kihon where you move from perfecting form and foundation to rudimentary application. In terms of progression, Jiyu Kumite (free sparring) is at the top (5); Ippon Kumite could be considered Level (4) along with self defense applications. In terms of sophistication & comprehensiveness, kata ranks a (5).
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All of the exercises in the 5 level progression build "mental clarity," but actually a broader set of mental capabilities in complete correctness.
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The imperative defining principle is how these exercises are trained is what matters. Critics of traditional karate, and I just read one MMA wrtier today speaking about how karate isn't seen in MMA much because of it's fixed stances, rigid technique & front on positioning causing karate to be too vulnerable in actual fighting, like to point to karateka as a bunch of stick men marching up & down the dojo like robots waiting for the instructors next command. Of course there no end to the number who actually train this way, going to class and putting their bodies into physical forms with their minds off, mindlessly reciting a gym routine.
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The process works when the karateka engages the mind actively, using the mind to consciously & deliberately direct the physical form, the body positioning, the body mechanics. Unlike muscle memory developed by athletics, traditional karate develops the actively thinking mind which is constantly in control over every precision movement. It is an internal process, where the body & mind work together in unity with the mind giving complete direction.
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This is why my kihon karate is so effective. I simply can straight punch faster than my opponent can react. I can actually block strikes using kihon karate blocks because my mental acuity is so high. The mental ability developed under kata training is what takes this mental acuity to its highest level.
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Traditional karate is not a phyiscal exercise--this is where most go wrong. Traditional karate is a mental discipline. Completion of the physical form in traditional karate is really the outward expression of that mental discipline.
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This is also why TMA > MMA. TMA is also much harder to become proficient at, takes longer, more requires knowledge, dedication & mental discipline.
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P.S. BTW, note my manual fits within the general scope of the traditional karate regimen of kihon, kata, kumite. Everything I've uncovered, IMO supports that the historical karate masters knew exactly what they were talking about.
