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Recently there has been lot's of talk about the word "Aiki" and what that word means, and what the founder of Aikido meant when he used the word. As usual I had my own very strong opinion on the issue, and set forth to be proven wrong or get my point across- I'm this way by nature.
Doing this forced me to examine and reexamine the history of our system (Aikido). Through this I found out that I wasn't as informed as I thought I was. I spent lot's of time on Aikido journal, sifting through interviews and translations. Trying to get a more complete view of the situation. Turns out I was a little wrong, and a little right, but none of that really mattered. In the end I have a better understanding, for myself, of what Aikido is historically, and that's the best thing that could have happened.
Thanks to all those who said I was wrong, you made me work, and through that I think I've become a little better and stronger. The old saying "you don't have to take my word for it" should be at the very core of our practice. Only through taking in many different viewpoints can you better find your own. Blindly following any one persons ideas, no matter how great they are, is always inferior to finding your own path.
01-05-2013 02:44 PM 