1.
to clear one's mind; to empty one's thoughts; to let go of attachments and distractions
To deliberately set aside personal feelings, desires, and distracting thoughts in order to focus or to approach something with a calm, unbiased state of mind.
心を無にして座禅を組む。
To sit in Zen meditation with an empty mind.
試合の前に心を無にして集中する。
I clear my mind and focus before a match.
辛いときは心を無にしてただ目の前のことをやるしかない。
When things are tough, all you can do is empty your mind and just do what's in front of you.
Rooted in Buddhist and Zen philosophy, where 無 (emptiness, nothingness) represents a state free from worldly attachments and ego. In everyday usage, the expression has broadened beyond its religious origins to describe any deliberate mental clearing — before sports, exams, stressful tasks, or repetitive work.
The expression is often used when someone needs to suppress emotions or overthinking in order to perform a task or endure a difficult situation.
COMMON PATTERNS:
- 心を無にして〜する: to do something with a clear mind
- 無の境地: the state of emptiness; a clear mental state
- 無心になる: to become absorbed; to lose oneself (related concept)
SIMILAR EXPRESSIONS:
- 無心になる: to become absorbed; to enter a selfless state — focuses on becoming engrossed in an activity
- 頭を空にする: to empty one's head — more casual, focuses on stopping thinking rather than spiritual calm
- 集中する: to concentrate — focuses on directing attention, not clearing the mind