Still, there are many differences between these states of mind. For example, one person can meditate for years (in yoga or martial arts) and achieve the Mushin state of mind, but if he doesn't have any experience in combat, he will lose a fight from a mediocre fighter. The opposite stands, a person who is an experienced fighter never might have tried to meditate (except for some ordinary questions about oneself, his surroundings or his opponent), but can shift his mind to the Zanshin state.
Also, the Mushin state of mind can last from several minutes to a couple hours and sometimes, among excellent martial arts masters of meditation, even up to several days. In comparison to the Mushin state of mind, the Zanshin state of mind lasts for a very short period of time- from several seconds to a couple minutes at most. Compared to Mushin, this state of mind comes unwittingly. Also, we can spot and recognize someone who is in this state of mind. You'll first notice it on a relaxed and calm warrior's face and then on his relaxed stance, i.e. body posture. It usually precedes a successful action of that fighter – warrior (an attack or counterattack), and, generally, victory over his opponent.
The use of the Zanshin state of mind in martial arts is of great importance. There is no martial arts skill or sport that doesn't have the need for this state of mind. For example, when some fighter loses a fight in karate, tae kwon do, kick boxing, boxing, wrestling, judo, ju jitsu, muay thai, sanda kung fu, BJJ, MMA, aikido, kendo or some other martial art sport, his trainer will refer him to a sports psychologist.
The psychologist will then, in several sentences, explain how a psychological preparation failed. How there wasn't enough motivation or will to win. That the athlete wasn't concentrated or focused enough on his fight. That the athlete was, during the course of the fight, preoccupied with unnecessary thoughts that interfered with his peace and concentration. That his choice of techniques used during the fight wasn't adequate. The psychologist will then conduct psychodiagnostics by which he will diagnose certain traits of that athlete. Also, he will inevitably talk to the athlete in order to increase his self-esteem. All of this will be said and done by a sports psychologist as well. And every athlete will listen to him closely.
Old martial arts masters who are nowadays, unfortunately few, will say only one sentence: "Your mind hasn't achieved the Zanshin level." And, what is worse, today's athletes will try to guess what is this old master talking about, looking at him perplexed and not understanding a thing.
So, let's repeat once again. The Zanshin state of mind is key to win in martial arts skills and sports. Zanshin precedes an attack or defense, it follows us during combat and stands beside us when the fight ends.
Or, in other words-
"Stay prepared so you don't have to become prepared!" - Conor McGregor