Mushin translated from Japanese means “no heart.” It is associated with another design strategy called “Muga” where the artist strives to remove their personal bias and enter an empty state to archive the most aesthetically pleasing design. Mushin is the process, while muga would be the state. Both are Zen concepts.
Mente, Boye. Elements of Japanese design : key terms for understanding & using Japan’s classic wabi-sabi-shibui concepts. Tokyo Rutland, Vt: Tuttle Pub, 2006. Print.
Example #1 – Constrained pose
The book discusses the tension placed upon the body when positioned in constrained poses that allow for little movement. They provide the mind a focal point and by that concentration the person focuses.
Example #2 – Mediation pose
Example #3 – Wii fit mediation
Wii fit has a game with a butterfly where you sit cross-legged on the mat and stay perfectly still.