Quiet vs. Quietism

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[Thor's Hammer]

I just read this article (http://www.aikiweb.com/spiritual/reed1.html)

It made me realize that the state of "calm" I have been in during aikido practice and indeed, in daily life, has in fact been closer to a universal dullness.

Of course, I am making an effort to change this, but I find that by being more 'active in stillness,' I end up being a bit more high strung. Is regular aikido practice the key to learning this calm readiness? Would sitting meditation help more, or less?

[ian]

Good article. I think attaining calmness and control cannot be instilled. It is about training with such a frequency and intensity that you naturally have to become more relaxed. It is like comparing someone who has chopped down trees for 20 years to someone who has just started. The former will expend very little excess energy, but for a beginner to just copy this 'technique' makes little difference to their ability. Train and reflect on your training, there is nothing else.