"Intellectuals solve problems. Geniuses prevent them"
- Albert Einstein
An advanced and effective martial artist is intimately connected to his or her environment. They feel things others do not feel. They see things others do not see. They understand things others do not understand. None of these abilities are "magical" or due to some esoteric capability that is unattainable by ordinary people. All of these abilities are attainable by anyone provided they follow the same path as the masters.
All of this may sound a bit unreal or spectacular now, but there is nothing unreal or spectacular about it. Living in an open state of connectedness to our environment is actually very natural. What is unnatural is shutting ourselves off from that environment and attempting to build a wall separating ourselves from the world in order to eliminate our suffering. This wall can become an emotional shell within which we hide and, in many cases, do not allow others inside of. It can also become a filter to try and take the world as we know it and change it into the world as we wish it to be. Advanced martial artists understand the futility of these actions. They understand that to cut one's self off from the world in order to eliminate suffering or to place conditions on the world to change it into what we wish it to be is a useless effort and one that will bring nothing but additional suffering.
If we attempt to hide from things we wish not to face, we only delay and potentially magnify the suffering they cause later. As problems are ignored, they become more complicated and therefore more difficult to solve. It is best to engage a problem, or a potential problem, early while it is still small and manageable. This way, we can shape the outcome more effectively and in a way that reduces suffering (both ours and other's), and, if we are lucky, turn the problem into an advantage.
Einstein believed it took genius to prevent problems. I respectfully disagree. I believe it requires vision and courage, neither of which are required to be a genius. It requires vision to see potential problems before they become manifest and it requires courage to face them head on without hesitation. Both vision and courage are very accessible things and can be developed and cultivated; genius implies a certainly level of god-given ability that is beyond the ability of humans to affect.
Both vision and courage can be developed simply by opening ourselves up to our environment and immersing ourselves into its natural flow. This is where our regular aikido practice can be helpful. In the dojo we try to open ourselves up and flow with our partner. The more open we are to our partner's ki (or intention) the more easily and smoothly we flow with their movements. If we are closed to our partner's ki, our technique flow will be filled with friction and tension.
As we practice (especially by practicing as uke, the one presenting the attack and being countered), we must focus on the relief of this tension. We must see where it is that we are creating tension with our partner and do what we can to relieve it. By placing our mind in the technique and being open to our environment, we are cultivating the growth of vision. We are developing the ability to see friction and tension in the techniques before they materialize. As we grow vision, courage will naturally result. By becoming more comfortable with facing problems (ie. conflict) on the mat, we will naturally become more comfortable facing problems, or preventing their formation in the first place, outside of the dojo. There becomes no need to build walls or create shells to hide from our problems. Problems are seen before or as they arise and are addressed with little to no conflict.
This is all advanced martial artists do. They cultivate vision and courage. This is what gives them ability to feel or see or understand that others do not and to prevent or solve problems before or as they arise.
To cultivate vision and courage should be our purpose every time we step into the dojo and onto the mat.
Sunday, February 22, 2009
Friday, February 20, 2009
Self-Reflection
Being in the dojo and practicing gives us an opportunity to take a deep look at ourselves. Our lives outside the dojo are typically filled with "life maintenance" activites: work, errands, etc. This routine turbulence along the surface of our lives keeps us from stopping and examining ourselves as often and as deeply as we should. This lack of regular self-examination can lead to a detached and troubling existence, one where a sense of meaninglessness slowly creeps into our lives. Sometimes we try to pacify this feeling of meaninglessness with material things or drugs and alcohol or some other type of numbing activity. If we are not careful, our lives can end up being driven out of control by things we cannot, or in some cases do not want, to control.
Without regular self-examination, we can forget that we all have deep seated fears residing just underneath the surface of our lives. These fears are different for each person. Some fear death. Others might fear being alone. Still others might fear interpersonal violence. If not faced, acknowledged, and controlled, these fears can reveal themselves at the most inopportune times causing us to react to a critical situation erratically or cause us to irrationally seek shelter in some self-destructive type of behavior.
In the dojo, especially as beginners, we are faced with fears. Everyone is nervous their first couple of classes. No one wants to look dumb or unskilled. No one wants to get hurt or hurt someone else. But no one picks up aikido instantly. Everyone struggles. Yet, it is this struggle that is the test. How do we react to our inability to "get it"? How do we react to looking uncoordinated with the other students watching? Do we get angry, blame the art itself for our shortcomings, and quit? Do we blame ourselves thinking that we are weak and that we will never be able to handle ourselves in a violent situation?
We will struggle with fears throughout the course of our lives both physically and mentally. Do we hide and try and avoid our fears or do we acknowledge their existence and actively work to overcome them? What matters is how we handle this struggle.
All of us should take time out of our day, or a least our week, and reflect on our fears. We must recognize, acknowledge, and confront our fears lest we come to believe that these things lie outside of our control.
Without regular self-examination, we can forget that we all have deep seated fears residing just underneath the surface of our lives. These fears are different for each person. Some fear death. Others might fear being alone. Still others might fear interpersonal violence. If not faced, acknowledged, and controlled, these fears can reveal themselves at the most inopportune times causing us to react to a critical situation erratically or cause us to irrationally seek shelter in some self-destructive type of behavior.
In the dojo, especially as beginners, we are faced with fears. Everyone is nervous their first couple of classes. No one wants to look dumb or unskilled. No one wants to get hurt or hurt someone else. But no one picks up aikido instantly. Everyone struggles. Yet, it is this struggle that is the test. How do we react to our inability to "get it"? How do we react to looking uncoordinated with the other students watching? Do we get angry, blame the art itself for our shortcomings, and quit? Do we blame ourselves thinking that we are weak and that we will never be able to handle ourselves in a violent situation?
We will struggle with fears throughout the course of our lives both physically and mentally. Do we hide and try and avoid our fears or do we acknowledge their existence and actively work to overcome them? What matters is how we handle this struggle.
All of us should take time out of our day, or a least our week, and reflect on our fears. We must recognize, acknowledge, and confront our fears lest we come to believe that these things lie outside of our control.
Never Rely On Technique
Aikido is an effective martial art. But we should always remember that technique is not 100% effective in all situations. How do we mitigate this deficiency?
First, never rely on technique. This sounds counterintuitive since we are practicing a martial art, but it is very true. Clarity of this principle will come with regular practice. Technique must be adjusted constantly if it is to be successful. It is never formulaic. Adaptation to the situation is the key.
Second, we must be present in the moment. Our mind should be focused on what is happening now. Not tomorrow, not yesterday, not an hour from now. By ensuring that our mind is focused on the present moment, we are open and connected to our environment and ready for whatever comes our way. There are situations that you can find yourself in that are very weak, one being the rear choke position for example. This is a very difficult position to get out of. If faced with it, here are a few things to remember:
-Relax. By tensing up, you make the situation worse and actually make your partners choke more effective. Relaxing also helps to keep your mind clear so you can think your way out of the situation, thus making your response more effective than an emotional and tense response.
-Keep moving. Move in a circular manner. Make yourself the center of the circle. This way your partner has a difficult time keeping up with you and thus a more difficult time maintaining the choke.
-Your first priority is to extricate yourself from the choke. The pin is second. If you can get the pin...great. If not, get out of the choke and get away from the situation of and prepare yourself for what might happen next.
-Atemi (strike) to the groin, head, foot, shin, etc is a last resort and should be used if the choke is exceptionally strong. The purpose of atemi is to distract your opponent's attention for that short time you need to extricate yourself, not to disable them.
Third, one should never allow themselves to get into this situation in the first place. This is done by being present in the moment, but by also developing sixth sense for danger. Do not worry too much about this now. This will naturally come with practice and developing a connection to your environment.
As I have talked about before, be open, present, and connected. Be open to new ideas and never become set in your ways. Be present in the moment. Life is happening "now". It is OK to plan, but do not live in the future or past. It will make your present life more difficult. Be connected to your environment. Understand and absorb what is going on around you. If you do not, you put yourself at risk.
One should practice these three things every day. Your aikido practice and your life will become much more fulfilling.
First, never rely on technique. This sounds counterintuitive since we are practicing a martial art, but it is very true. Clarity of this principle will come with regular practice. Technique must be adjusted constantly if it is to be successful. It is never formulaic. Adaptation to the situation is the key.
Second, we must be present in the moment. Our mind should be focused on what is happening now. Not tomorrow, not yesterday, not an hour from now. By ensuring that our mind is focused on the present moment, we are open and connected to our environment and ready for whatever comes our way. There are situations that you can find yourself in that are very weak, one being the rear choke position for example. This is a very difficult position to get out of. If faced with it, here are a few things to remember:
-Relax. By tensing up, you make the situation worse and actually make your partners choke more effective. Relaxing also helps to keep your mind clear so you can think your way out of the situation, thus making your response more effective than an emotional and tense response.
-Keep moving. Move in a circular manner. Make yourself the center of the circle. This way your partner has a difficult time keeping up with you and thus a more difficult time maintaining the choke.
-Your first priority is to extricate yourself from the choke. The pin is second. If you can get the pin...great. If not, get out of the choke and get away from the situation of and prepare yourself for what might happen next.
-Atemi (strike) to the groin, head, foot, shin, etc is a last resort and should be used if the choke is exceptionally strong. The purpose of atemi is to distract your opponent's attention for that short time you need to extricate yourself, not to disable them.
Third, one should never allow themselves to get into this situation in the first place. This is done by being present in the moment, but by also developing sixth sense for danger. Do not worry too much about this now. This will naturally come with practice and developing a connection to your environment.
As I have talked about before, be open, present, and connected. Be open to new ideas and never become set in your ways. Be present in the moment. Life is happening "now". It is OK to plan, but do not live in the future or past. It will make your present life more difficult. Be connected to your environment. Understand and absorb what is going on around you. If you do not, you put yourself at risk.
One should practice these three things every day. Your aikido practice and your life will become much more fulfilling.
Monday, February 2, 2009
What We Train
The important thing to remember with aikido is that we are training the mind, body, and character.
We are training the mind to be calm and still during stressful situations so we can react with a clear purpose not distracted by
emotions.
We are training the body to be supple and responsive to our opponents actions. We fit the technique to the situation. This is why aikido does not have "katas" or forms which the student must memorize like many other arts have. Every situation is different, therefore no technique will ever be executed in the same way.
In training the character, we believe that combative strength requires a solid and good character to manage. If someone has combative power, but no character, then that person is very dangerous as they do not have a sound moral compass and can use their strength in detrimental ways. The more proficient you become in martial arts, the more developed your character must be to manage that combative proficiency so you use it at the right times and in the right manner.
Fundamentally, practitioners of aikido are seeking, through a martial context, to make the world a better more peaceful place. We use our martial abilities to diffuse violence and not escalate it.
One should remember and focus on these three things every practice.
We are training the mind to be calm and still during stressful situations so we can react with a clear purpose not distracted by
emotions.
We are training the body to be supple and responsive to our opponents actions. We fit the technique to the situation. This is why aikido does not have "katas" or forms which the student must memorize like many other arts have. Every situation is different, therefore no technique will ever be executed in the same way.
In training the character, we believe that combative strength requires a solid and good character to manage. If someone has combative power, but no character, then that person is very dangerous as they do not have a sound moral compass and can use their strength in detrimental ways. The more proficient you become in martial arts, the more developed your character must be to manage that combative proficiency so you use it at the right times and in the right manner.
Fundamentally, practitioners of aikido are seeking, through a martial context, to make the world a better more peaceful place. We use our martial abilities to diffuse violence and not escalate it.
One should remember and focus on these three things every practice.
On Training
People come to aikido for many different reasons. Some are looking for a martial discipline to augment their life. Some have heard about aikido's reputation as a form of "moving zen" whose practice can lead to realization and enlightenment. Others come just to learn self-defense. For whatever reason you desire to learn aikido, it is important to understand a few things about its study.
First, aikido is not easy. Proficiency in the techniques will come only after regular weekly practice over a period of months. I like to tell new students that if they wish to see progress, they must commit to practice at least twice a week for nothing less than 90 days. I certainly do not want to discourage others from coming only once a week if that is all your schedule permits. Just understand that practicing less will make the development of any level of proficiency difficult and can lead to frustration if you are not careful.
Second, aikido is not only a physical art, it is a distinct philosophy of how to live one's life. The "do" at the end of aikido means "path in life" or "way of life" in Japanese. The philosophy of aikido can be summed up in the Japanese phrase "take musu aiki". Literally translated, this means "martial creative harmony energy". To render more intelligibly, "take musu aiki" means to harmonize the energy and activity of life through the martial way of life. This concept is very difficult to grasp, and unless one has been practicing aikido for some time, augmenting one's martial practice with the study of aikdio's development and history, and meditating on how the meaning of this phrase relates to one's aikido practice and life, its deeper levels of understanding will remain elusive. But it is these deeper levels that reveal life's ultimate reality.
These realizations cannot be fully expressed in words. They must be experienced to be fully understood. But their basic principles are simple: a respect for yourself, others, and the world around you. We are all deeply connected. We may not be able to see these deep and fundamental connections on the turbulent surface of our daily lives, but through a steady, honest, and disciplined practice of aikido, we can reveal these connections. They lie in the depths of our being, a part of us with which we have lost touch due to the ever increasing complexity and urbanization of our modern lives. Once revealed, we clearly and unambiguously understand our interconnectedness in the world and a deep sense of personal responsibility for others and the world becomes rooted in our daily lives. This realization is so complete and so penetrating, we cannot but spend the rest of our lives cultivating these connections, refining them every day through the practice of aikido. This is "take musu aiki".
I encourage all of you who practice to pursue the deeper levels of understanding. It will take discipline, commitment, and time, but the reward, a greater understanding and appreciation of yourself and the world around you, is well worth it.
First, aikido is not easy. Proficiency in the techniques will come only after regular weekly practice over a period of months. I like to tell new students that if they wish to see progress, they must commit to practice at least twice a week for nothing less than 90 days. I certainly do not want to discourage others from coming only once a week if that is all your schedule permits. Just understand that practicing less will make the development of any level of proficiency difficult and can lead to frustration if you are not careful.
Second, aikido is not only a physical art, it is a distinct philosophy of how to live one's life. The "do" at the end of aikido means "path in life" or "way of life" in Japanese. The philosophy of aikido can be summed up in the Japanese phrase "take musu aiki". Literally translated, this means "martial creative harmony energy". To render more intelligibly, "take musu aiki" means to harmonize the energy and activity of life through the martial way of life. This concept is very difficult to grasp, and unless one has been practicing aikido for some time, augmenting one's martial practice with the study of aikdio's development and history, and meditating on how the meaning of this phrase relates to one's aikido practice and life, its deeper levels of understanding will remain elusive. But it is these deeper levels that reveal life's ultimate reality.
These realizations cannot be fully expressed in words. They must be experienced to be fully understood. But their basic principles are simple: a respect for yourself, others, and the world around you. We are all deeply connected. We may not be able to see these deep and fundamental connections on the turbulent surface of our daily lives, but through a steady, honest, and disciplined practice of aikido, we can reveal these connections. They lie in the depths of our being, a part of us with which we have lost touch due to the ever increasing complexity and urbanization of our modern lives. Once revealed, we clearly and unambiguously understand our interconnectedness in the world and a deep sense of personal responsibility for others and the world becomes rooted in our daily lives. This realization is so complete and so penetrating, we cannot but spend the rest of our lives cultivating these connections, refining them every day through the practice of aikido. This is "take musu aiki".
I encourage all of you who practice to pursue the deeper levels of understanding. It will take discipline, commitment, and time, but the reward, a greater understanding and appreciation of yourself and the world around you, is well worth it.
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