Unagi: What it really means, and how to learn it
By: Thanasis Papadopoulos
Tags: Friends, TV Series, Netflix, Comedy, Humor

Unagi is (not) a state of mind.

If you’ve seen “The one with the Unagi” episode (S6E17) from the popular TV series “Friends”, you already know what Unagi is, and what it is not.

Unagi, as seen on Friends

In this episode, Rachel and Phoebe went on a self-defense class and bragged about how they could beat anybody’s ass. Ross disagreed with them and told them that after all these years of studying “karatey”, he learned that in order to defend yourself you need to learn “what the Japanese call” Unagi first.

According to Ross, Unagi is a state of total awareness, and only by achieving true Unagi, you can be prepared for any danger that may befall you. However, Phoebe, Rachel, and Chandler, told him that Unagi is a type of sushi, and specifically a roll made by a freshwater eel.

To prove his point, Ross decides to jumpscare them in the corridor of their building, with Rachel and Phoebe returning the favor later, in his apartment, and make him screech loudly. Ross later decides to meet their instructor in order to ask him how to fight “two women”. The instructor, of course, didn’t offer his help.

At the end of the episode, Ross sees two women outside Central Perk. Since he thought that the women were Rachel and Phoebe he tried to scare them, only for them to attack him. He then runs away, only to see that Rachel and Phoebe are looking at him through a window inside Central Perk, and then he realizes that he is being chased by two unknown women.

Becoming One with the Unagi

Unagi is, according to Ross, a state of total awareness. However, the word that Ross actually means, is the word “Zanshin” (残心). Zanshin exists in many Japanese martial arts, one of them being karate. Its literal meaning can be translated as “remaining mind” or “left over or remaining heart/spirit”.

In kyūdō, which is the Japanese martial art of archery (which originates from kyūjutsu, the samurai archery), Zanshin is a mental aspect that is necessary before, during, and after an action. It is the correct body posture that along with a calm and focused mindset, allows the person to complete his task. It means to be aware of what your mind and your body can do, but also be aware of your surroundings, in an effortless way. In practical terms, one’s goal is for the arrow to find its target consistently.

In kendo, Zanshin means to be mentally and physically alert to face a situation. In practical terms, it means to deal with an attack, and regain your position, in order to attack instantly or defend yourself.

Photo by Bernd Viefhues on Unsplash

Zanshin (or Unagi) as a way of living

To possess the skill of zanshin, a relaxed state of awareness of your body and mind in an effortless method, is not an easy task. The main concept of zanshin is that everything is affected by everything, like the butterfly effect. When you lose focus and commitment, you are stalling, or losing your goal.

Zanshin has to be achieved through practice, and it is doesn’t apply only in martial arts. It can be applied through your lifestyle, and it can help you to focus and complete your goals. In order to become more observant, you should try whatever helps you relax and makes you stop forecasting.

You could try meditation, listen to interesting podcasts, disconnect from social media for as long as you want, and in general, do whatever keeps you focused to make you lose your concentration from your goal. I’m not a mental guru to tell you what to do, or how to be. Just try to become one with the Unagi. Or Zanshin, actually.