THE ELEMENTAL MIND
Why Musashi’s Code Still Governs the Modern Warrior
By Alan Condon
7th Dan Martial Artist | Founder of the KAJU-KAI Method
You Don’t Rise to the Occasion.
You Default to Your Training.
Most people confuse mindset with motivation.
A quote on a wall. A podcast on the drive to work. A temporary surge of confidence that collapses the moment pressure shows up.
The Elemental Mind exists to destroy that illusion.
This is not about feeling strong. It is about being unshakeable…when things go wrong, when stress hits hard, when life closes distance fast.
This mindset wasn’t imagined. It was forged through 51+ years of martial arts, real-world confrontation, leadership under pressure and decades of refining what actually works when theory fails.
THIS IS NOT A SELF-HELP BOOK
This Is a Combat Manual for the Mind
Rooted in the timeless teachings of Miyamoto Musashi and translated through the modern KAJU-KAI system, The Elemental Mind breaks mindset down into five elemental forces that govern how human beings think, move, adapt, and survive.
These elements are not philosophy. They are operating principles.
They determine:
- How you respond to chaos
- How you manage fear and uncertainty
- Whether you freeze…or act
- Whether you endure…or evolve
THE FIVE ELEMENTS OF THE WARRIOR MIND
EARTH:
Structure & Stability
Earth is foundation. Posture. Breath. Balance.
When everything shakes…Earth holds.
You will learn how to:
- Build mental stability under stress
- Control adrenaline instead of being ruled by it
- Develop presence others can feel
WATER:
Flow & Recovery
Water does not resist…it redirects. It recovers faster than force. It survives longer than rigidity.
You will learn how to:
- Stay fluid when plans collapse
- Recover from failure, injury, and fatigue
- Adapt without losing your center
FIRE:
The Will to Act
Fire is decisive motion. No hesitation. No waiting for permission. Fire is the difference between thinkers and doers…between spectators and survivors.
You will learn how to:
- Kill hesitation at the source
- Act decisively under pressure
- Train commitment, not motivation
WIND:
Awareness & Adaptation
Wind reads the room before the fight begins. It sees patterns others miss. It adapts without panic.
You will learn how to:
- Sharpen situational awareness
- Read people, environments and intent
- Move before the threat fully forms
VOID:
Mastery & Self-Awareness
Void is where the ego dies. Where the next version of you is forged.
You will learn how to:
- Strip away false identity
- Operate without emotional drag
- Move freely between all elements
Why This Book Is Different
Most mindset books stay theoretical.
They avoid real pressure.
They avoid real consequences.
The Elemental Mind takes a different approach.
This book was written for people who understand that mindset is revealed under stress…not formed in comfort.
It is for:
- Martial Artists who want depth, not belt accumulation
- Leaders who must perform when it matters
- Adults over 40 committed to staying mentally sharp
- Men and women who recognize that life does not slow down for convenience
There is no hype here. No recycled theories. No surface level motivation.
Only principles that have endured centuries of conflict…tested again in the modern world.
A NOTE BEFORE YOU CONTINUE
This book is not intended to reassure or entertain. It is designed to highlight what holds and what fails…under pressure.
If you rely on motivation instead of discipline…
If comfort consistently outweighs capability…
If rank substitutes for readiness…
If leadership depends on having control…
You may find parts of this book challenging….That is by design.
FORGED IN THE DOJO OF LIFE
This is not about fighting for sport. It is about fighting for clarity, control and composure…on the mat and off it.
Inside, you will see why:
- Martial Arts is a lifelong practice, not a phase
- Physical training and mental discipline are inseparable
- Balance is not stillness…it is constant adjustment
This book forms the Elemental Bridge between training and life.
WHO THIS BOOK IS FOR
✔ Martial Artists seeking mastery…not technique collection
✔ Adults tired of feeling mentally scattered
✔ Leaders, protectors and parents who must stay sharp
✔ Anyone who understands peace is maintained by preparedness
This book is not for quitters. Not for dabblers. It is for those willing to look inward and train honestly.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Alan Condon is a 7th Dan Martial Artist, founder of the KAJU-KAI Method, and architect of modern, real-world self-defense and mindset systems.
With over 51 years of training, teaching, and real-world application, his work strips Martial Arts back to its original purpose:
To prepare the human being for reality.
THIS IS YOUR INVITATION
Not to feel inspired…But to become disciplined.
Not to escape stress…But to dominate it.
Not to chase balance…But to embody it.
Step into the elements.
Train the mind that cannot be shaken.
Empire Defense and Fitness provides classes to Albany, Colonie, Latham, Guilderland, Delmar, Troy, Clifton Park & Niskayuna communities.