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A Biblical parable derivative of universal truth. The Founder realized this, he knew the samurai lived by the sword and died by the sword. He was a solider of war. He knew what it meant to use violence, he knew the character of men who where violent. He didn't have the romantic view of the noble Samurai saving farmers from marauders. He knew the samurai really didn't put tooth picks in their mouth and say they where full when offered food by the less fortunate. The Founders view was realistic, samurai where men of violence. Though his experience in war, he knew violence was less powerful than peace. He understood violent people, not just samurai. Criminals are violent people, and create a violent society as well. Who wants to live in a violent society, not many. The Founder understood like so many all over the world, spanning time, violence leads to a dead end.
Aikido training incorporates the view of non-violence. What could that mean? It could mean training with the attitude avoiding living by the sword, and die by the sword is praised. You don't have a violent mind set of having no regard for the safety of those you train with. That attitude spills out into daily life and into society.
You don't enter the dojo with a violent mind set, having no regard to the safety others as you will, to prove yourself better. Think of violence in its basal form, physically harming and killing others. To do that you are required to have a premeditated mind set for violence. You believe in harming others as a means. You don't see a flaw in that belief. You practice that belief in your daily life. Your character reflects it. You fit right in a maximum security prison. Who wants to be around you? Who wants to train with you, knowing you will exercise any level of harm at your discretion, willfully disregarding your partner's safety. That violence is your lifestyle, no different in the mind set of a gang banger, a wise guy, barbarian or terrorist. All have no regard for others as their violent life-style dictates. The Founder being once a violent person came to the error of his ways. Aikido attempts to make a shift from violence to peace via individuals in society.
A bit over the top maybe with framing violent people. Going over the top helps to identify violent people outside of the hippie stereotype. Finally to show, people of violent life styles are violence also in words, and other expressions, such as competition. Aikido is about teaching that you don't live by the sword. You don't need great insight to see that. Or to know the Founder was attempting to change the world one person's character at a time. That message may have been lost on students who seen Aikido only as a skill to be obtained, and not a skill of character. But it wasn't lost on the multitude of others who live peaceful lives, entering and leaving the dojo peacefully. Aikido training, as I see it is about expressing peace, not violence.
With that concluded, I would like to thank everyone who took the time to read my thoughts. It is my hope everyone will be able to lead peaceful long lives that are enriching and rewarding.
04-13-2012 10:37 AM 