An opportunity to examine your own views on the martial philosophies of others.
Beware becoming a prisoner of other people's thoughts and words ... examine carefully for your own self.
Never underestimate the part that your mind can play in your own success .... or failure. Belief gives birth to power.
Beware becoming a prisoner of other people's thoughts and words ... examine carefully for your own self.
Never underestimate the part that your mind can play in your own success .... or failure. Belief gives birth to power.
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Below; extract from an article on Tree Wisdom by Liz Nicholson published in the Winter edition of Holistic Times magazine
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"As soon as you concern yourself with the "good" and "bad" of your fellows,
you create an opening in your heart for maliciousness to enter.
Testing, competing with, and criticizing others, weakens and defeats you."
O'Sensei.
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If nothing else the aiki Jo class can create an interesting and rewarding exploration of who you might be during your days on earth,
rather than be as the Japanese say, suisei-mushi, to be born drunk and die still dreaming.
From Koichi Tohei's book Aikido in Daily Life
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True budo
cannot be described
by words or letters
the gods will not allow you
to make such explanations.
********
Weld yourself to heaven and earth and unify practice and enlightenment.
Realise that your mind and body must be permeated with the
soul of a warrior, enlightened wisdom, and deep calm.
************************************************************************************************
"As soon as you concern yourself with the "good" and "bad" of your fellows,
you create an opening in your heart for maliciousness to enter.
Testing, competing with, and criticizing others, weakens and defeats you."
O'Sensei.
*******************************************
If nothing else the aiki Jo class can create an interesting and rewarding exploration of who you might be during your days on earth,
rather than be as the Japanese say, suisei-mushi, to be born drunk and die still dreaming.
From Koichi Tohei's book Aikido in Daily Life
*******************************************************************************************
True budo
cannot be described
by words or letters
the gods will not allow you
to make such explanations.
********
Weld yourself to heaven and earth and unify practice and enlightenment.
Realise that your mind and body must be permeated with the
soul of a warrior, enlightened wisdom, and deep calm.
************************************************************************************************
Misogi with Jo.
Why did O'Sensei do this, what was he looking for;
let us think upon it for a while?
What is it that he felt. . . what is it that he discovered?
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"There is no opponent" ( ‘do nothing and everything is done’)
"In Aikido, the other is present but, at the same time, is not. If one simply moves according to the motions of one ' s everyday practice strangely enough, the other moves in the same manner. In this way, all one has to do is to execute techniques as one does normally during daily training and one's partner will naturally follow along. This is the mystery of what is called Aikido.
For instance, anyone should be able to move people with just one finger. The strength of man is limited to the circle within which we are located as the center.
Regardless of how strong a person might think he is, he is powerless for as long as one stays outside of this circle or area of reach. In other words, it is easy to control a person using a single index or little finger if one can control him while staying outside of this
circle. Everything is decided when, by continuously moving in circles while shifting the center to within one's own circle, the other is led outside of his own circle."
The use of 'mind' is essential to our progress on the path to being one with the universal, which is why I have quoted from O'Sensei's memoirs above. As I pasted the quote I began to think I would never understand it . . . however I think now I do . . . can I perform this in action? No, definitely not. Will I get there one day? Somehow I doubt it very much, but I will retain the pleasure of the understanding.
Here are a few thoughts written by me in 2007.
I’ve always been fascinated by O Sensei’s ability to hold off a push on the forehead whilst seated.in seiza. When the opportunity arises to ask one who might understand this, I take it. From the Chinese Master, Ren Gang … 'your generous and spiritual energy field reaches out, in connection with the other, and becoming one, you empty out, and being empty there is nothing left for them to push'.
Perhaps this is the answer I sought. . It seems that we have to move to energy levels and leave dependence on the physical behind ….. difficult!
Even applying intention itself may be felt by another, therefore use the words, ‘I am interested in doing this’; it is different and feels different, with even less information being passed to another.
Sensei Tony’s words in ken tai jo, ‘don’t try to hit their ken merely keep yourself safe from it.’
Sensei Peter (5th dan wado ryu) ‘do not block your opponents strike; merely brush the deflecting arm down your own body’
Both keep you relaxed and yet safe, both make it effortless and allow speedy recovery … because you never stopped and you are also still on line to their centre. Neither have the presence of the idea of 'opponent', both require the 'mind' to be the active component.
I just hope that this makes sense to you the reader too, if not, there is always the contact page for your views.
"There is no opponent" ( ‘do nothing and everything is done’)
"In Aikido, the other is present but, at the same time, is not. If one simply moves according to the motions of one ' s everyday practice strangely enough, the other moves in the same manner. In this way, all one has to do is to execute techniques as one does normally during daily training and one's partner will naturally follow along. This is the mystery of what is called Aikido.
For instance, anyone should be able to move people with just one finger. The strength of man is limited to the circle within which we are located as the center.
Regardless of how strong a person might think he is, he is powerless for as long as one stays outside of this circle or area of reach. In other words, it is easy to control a person using a single index or little finger if one can control him while staying outside of this
circle. Everything is decided when, by continuously moving in circles while shifting the center to within one's own circle, the other is led outside of his own circle."
The use of 'mind' is essential to our progress on the path to being one with the universal, which is why I have quoted from O'Sensei's memoirs above. As I pasted the quote I began to think I would never understand it . . . however I think now I do . . . can I perform this in action? No, definitely not. Will I get there one day? Somehow I doubt it very much, but I will retain the pleasure of the understanding.
Here are a few thoughts written by me in 2007.
I’ve always been fascinated by O Sensei’s ability to hold off a push on the forehead whilst seated.in seiza. When the opportunity arises to ask one who might understand this, I take it. From the Chinese Master, Ren Gang … 'your generous and spiritual energy field reaches out, in connection with the other, and becoming one, you empty out, and being empty there is nothing left for them to push'.
Perhaps this is the answer I sought. . It seems that we have to move to energy levels and leave dependence on the physical behind ….. difficult!
Even applying intention itself may be felt by another, therefore use the words, ‘I am interested in doing this’; it is different and feels different, with even less information being passed to another.
Sensei Tony’s words in ken tai jo, ‘don’t try to hit their ken merely keep yourself safe from it.’
Sensei Peter (5th dan wado ryu) ‘do not block your opponents strike; merely brush the deflecting arm down your own body’
Both keep you relaxed and yet safe, both make it effortless and allow speedy recovery … because you never stopped and you are also still on line to their centre. Neither have the presence of the idea of 'opponent', both require the 'mind' to be the active component.
I just hope that this makes sense to you the reader too, if not, there is always the contact page for your views.
*********************************************************************************
Many things will appear contradictory ..... they are an essential part of our universe, without opposites we are dead. (try only breathing out if you don't believe me.) We hope to make sense of them when further down our path.
Keep your mind on the flow of Ki .... use your imagination, visualise. The Ki should flow calmly and naturally and so move the entire body smoothly and continuously. The spirit is at ease and the body quiet. In every movement you must be totally conscious.
It is your Ki that will guide the body, it is the Ki that arrives in an instant ... quicker than mere thought can ever be
Faced with the enemy think not of them or their weapons, be forgetful of all technique, be ready to follow the dictates of the unconscious , when you strike it is not the man but the hand of the unconscious that strikes.
The analytical or thinking mind is dangerous, for the mind must be flowing. A stopped mind is injurious.
By being still and quiet silent messages of your opponent's movements may be revealed to you.
Many things will appear contradictory ..... they are an essential part of our universe, without opposites we are dead. (try only breathing out if you don't believe me.) We hope to make sense of them when further down our path.
Keep your mind on the flow of Ki .... use your imagination, visualise. The Ki should flow calmly and naturally and so move the entire body smoothly and continuously. The spirit is at ease and the body quiet. In every movement you must be totally conscious.
It is your Ki that will guide the body, it is the Ki that arrives in an instant ... quicker than mere thought can ever be
Faced with the enemy think not of them or their weapons, be forgetful of all technique, be ready to follow the dictates of the unconscious , when you strike it is not the man but the hand of the unconscious that strikes.
The analytical or thinking mind is dangerous, for the mind must be flowing. A stopped mind is injurious.
By being still and quiet silent messages of your opponent's movements may be revealed to you.
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Consider this, "by paying attention to your ki and not your breathing, your striking force will be as strong as steel. If you pay attention only to your breathing, your blood circulation will be impeded and your striking force will be inactive and ineffective" , according to a Ming Dynasty Tai Chi master, Wang Chung Tueh. "By paying attention to the subtle ki the resulting movements would be like the incessant flow of a great river, with 'all parts of the body connected like a string of pearls'."
Consider how this fits with your own training and practice ... or not.
Consider this, "by paying attention to your ki and not your breathing, your striking force will be as strong as steel. If you pay attention only to your breathing, your blood circulation will be impeded and your striking force will be inactive and ineffective" , according to a Ming Dynasty Tai Chi master, Wang Chung Tueh. "By paying attention to the subtle ki the resulting movements would be like the incessant flow of a great river, with 'all parts of the body connected like a string of pearls'."
Consider how this fits with your own training and practice ... or not.
'The martial artist should be in tune with natural law. In appearance like the eagle about to catch the rabbit; internallly his spirit like the cat watching the mouse; at rest, like the mountain, in movement like the river'.
Beware over extending, becoming full, for the maximising of anything can only result in decline. All empires fail in the end.
Therefore a cyclical approach to extending energy is best, always retaining some power in reserve.
The study of yin and yang will bear self evident proof.
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Beware over extending, becoming full, for the maximising of anything can only result in decline. All empires fail in the end.
Therefore a cyclical approach to extending energy is best, always retaining some power in reserve.
The study of yin and yang will bear self evident proof.
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Sudden moves end in sudden stops. Better to have continuity of movement, whereby you can remain centred and calm yet fluid like can move at will in a direction of your choice. Sudden or awkward movements stifle the flow of Ki. Avoid being double weighted, allow your centre of gravity to be displaced and therefore hidden from your adversary. The idea of circles and spirals is to be examined and exploited to your benefit.
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Visualise the flow of Ki, within self , and in the wider universe. The mind itself plays its part in securing calmness and tranquility, without which your stored Ki cannot flow freely. Never become disconnected from the flow of Ki, do not leave gaps and at each opportunity store your energy like the archer draws his bow.
For Ki to flow your body needs must be relaxed yet knowingly alive and connected.
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For Ki to flow your body needs must be relaxed yet knowingly alive and connected.
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It is not just the body that should return to the pliability., suppleness and free flowing state of the infant but that the mind too should change state. The aim is to have no preconceptions, be non judgemental and without plans ...... merely let the mind engage in the moment as it occurs within the larger universe.
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Movement in stillnes, stillness in movement
Sensei Michael (left) and Sensei Sergei (Right) working on 13 Jo kata partner practice.
Although the above expression is found in the Chinese art of Tai Chi Chuan, it would appear to have value in most other activities too.
O'Sensei used the term 'yang' in his memoirs; His understanding of the way of the univese . . . which can only exist because of opposites, commands respect.
If at any time everything stops then you are vulnerable . . however , if your body stops but your mind continues then you have an opposite . . . a Yin and a Yang - a passive and an active.
I suggest to you that at the end of any movement you should seek an energetic continuation even if the body would appear to have stopped. The Energetic continuation will however be connecting with muscles and pathways in the brain and preparing for the next move.
Your mind precedes the body, and you might like to consider if this is so for breath too.
