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Not a part of O'Sensei's writings or part of his vision for Aikido, the Three Don'ts of Leadership are rooted deeply in ancient Chinese Zen culture, am told. The "Three Don'ts of Leadership" I feel can apply to the life and training of an Aikidoka.
Three Don'ts
Leadership holds three don'ts; when there is alot to do, don't be afraid; when there is nothing to do, don't be hasty; and don't talk about opinions of right and wrong.
-Mian
I use the perspective of the "Three Don'ts" to improve my training:
When my mind is over filled with thoughts of instruction, I become overwhelmed thinking alot of all the things I need to do, to make the technique work right. Like being afraid, my movement is impaired, I move awkwardly, unnaturally, I don't blend, and stuff. It's a train wreck. But, if I control and extinguish all those instructional thoughts crowding my head, am not afraid of doing the technique wrong. Because I am not afraid, I move better; I blend, and all that. I am more relaxed and can flow.
When I am fairly good at a technique, being comfortable at a certain level of ability, I tend to rush the technique through. Rushing a technique is going through it routinely, mechanically, and not being focus.
I certainly don't talk on the mat about what is right or wrong with a technique and mine or anyone else's performance. That interferes allot and leads to the other two Don'ts. If you are being critical and pointing out what is right and wrong during a technique you're not doing yourself any favors. You end up just talking and not practicing. You be come stopped. Your spirit is dead, and no longer alive. And you can annoy the fudge out of others.
I am sure the "Three Don'ts of Leadership" can be applied to other areas of Aikido too, and not just this single slice of training. I think it will help in improving skill and ability in Aikido to follow the "Three Don'ts." Sometimes what you need isn't an apparent tweak here or there concerning technique, but rather the things not so apparent.
09-21-2009 11:14 PM 