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<blogEntry id="3983">
	<title><![CDATA[Ukigumo: Floating Clouds]]></title>
	<body><![CDATA[With all the discussions on internal power it can leave a person's head among floating clouds. I offer some good reading on the subject of internal power and Aikido.  It can't be proven, but many argue there are element of Taoism in O'Sensei's philosophy relating to things as internal power.

Beautifully explained by Rev. Barrish we are given an insight to things internal and details of O'Sensei and Shinto. 

[b] [i] now I have the right link [/i][/b]
[URL="http://www.aikiweb.com/forums/showpost.php?p=262707&postcount=83"]http://www.aikiweb.com/forums/showpost.php?p=262707&postcount=83[/URL]


And from the Chinese side of things, written just as wonderfully by Gunther M. Weil, Ph.D. who gives his views on things internal.

[URL="http://www.qigonginstitute.org/html/papers/Qigong%20as%20a%20Portal%20to%20Presence.pdf"]http://www.qigonginstitute.org/html/papers/Qigong%20as%20a%20Portal%20to%20Presence.pdf[/URL]

I have read the article by WeiI sometime ago, and enjoyed it. And, it came to me highly recommended. Then recently, Rev. Barrish posted some excellent information in relation to internal power, that I highly recommend. I found the last statements in each text to be an unexpected surprise of similarity. I am hoping this will help in the understanding of those peeling the onion layers away of Aikido; to be helpful to  others as it was for me.]]></body>
	<date>08-08-2010</date>
</blogEntry>

<blogEntry id="3779">
	<title><![CDATA[The Invisible Action of Self]]></title>
	<body><![CDATA[Intuition, the invisible action a collection of all actions practiced. After years of practice this is what I have come to understand as intuition.  I observed that when I practice a technique whether it works or not my body and mind remembers it. That is each and every moment of practice I have ever done. Overtime, I think I have practiced a certain technique thousands of times and each time collecting information that is evaluated by both my mind and body.  The purpose here than is the next time I do the technique all that information will and does come into play. It floods both mind and body instantaneously into action, without the slightest thought.  A process of which is completely devoid of all that conscious and analytical stuff that goes on in the forefront of our minds. 

When I don't interrupt my intuitive process with my forefront thoughts of judgment and all those things, I am freer to act and discover. As an Observer rather than an actively committing self-evaluation, I allow all that stored information to flow freely and come into play in a heat-beat. And I like that. 

The biggest pothole to my intuition of course is my own active judgmental stuff hijacking my intuition. Once that is done, the doubt monster takes over and finishes me off to where I completely stop, shut down. Resulting in me having to slump off to a corner diseased with self-doubt, and nursing a wounded ego.  You should see it, I mentally do beautiful wazas on myself.  My mental Aikido is purely excellent; I defeat myself like no one else can. It is flawless waza every time.  I am my own enemy, my own foe. I am that foe O'Sensei speaks of in his poems. 

But, if I choose to drive around that pothole, and trust in my intuition regardless of pulling off the technique or not, I win. Why, well that is just more information to store and use later without thought. The most wonderful thing is that I am not defeating myself with mental wazas. If I turn my thoughts off follow my favorite book, "Zen of Tennis" and also put my mental game face on, my technique comes off allot better. I am in the zone more often than not. 

I have found intuitional training to be my best training partner. It is an invisible action that takes time to adjust to. It is hard to let go of those old patterned ways especially if your training and instruction didn't start off with intuitional training.  On my road to Aikido started with a lot of potholes that I hit and hit hard. It has been a road full of potholes, in my Aikido journey.  Potholes that have forced me to understand and take a new perspective on how I look at and approach my Aikido. Simply put, I have discovered a great insight and greater success in my Aikido, and to trust my Aikido intuition and not to judge myself. 

Will I ever be the greatest skilled or even skilled enough of Aikidoka to be popular, or will I ever be considered formidable, probably not. But, what I will have is the wonderment and joy of discovery and learning in my Aikido. My self discovery of my stuff and the benefits gleaned from that are what I measure at the core of what true waza is for me. 

Oh, and btw, fame is nice, but it is over rated am told, and a hell of a lot of work staying famous. I am too lazy and stupid for that, and leave that to others that are more qualified. Now-if I wanted to be a formidable fighter, I would not be a martial artist. Instead, I would be a quick-drawing, sharp shooting son of a gun, who could run fast. But, I choose Aikido instead, and the payoff has been immeasurable.]]></body>
	<date>12-23-2009</date>
</blogEntry>

<blogEntry id="3746">
	<title><![CDATA[The Musing of a Wondering Aikidoka.]]></title>
	<body><![CDATA[Yep, that's me. I am an average guy and there isn't anything special about me when it comes to Aikido. I didn't study under anyone famous or well known and stuff. And those I seek to train with in Aikido are those I  think  can teach me something. I can say it has been a success. 

I believe, no matter how long I have or will train that I will always be a student. I can always learn from everyone, and I do.  

I have had my share of dry periods between training and Sensei's. It has been good and bad. But nothing is perfect and you do the best you can do. No experience is a wasted one if you take the perspective of learning from it, that there is always something to learn from it. 

 I read a lot about O'Sensei's life and his writings. Both are at times rewarding and disappointing. O'Sensei is a person of interest to me; his vision for Aikido training, his life, and his views. I wish, I was able to train with and under him. In this way, I would be able to touch Aikido in its original form and intent. 


I started Aikido as a result of being bullied, and found a different reason to study Aikido as a result of Aikido. I wanted to kick butt to get revenge, and found that such a path, as a result of Aikido, is a disasterious and petty path. Therefore, my skill in technique is less important than the development of my character and what I learn from Aikido. As I see it, we are all chasing O'Sensei, some people are further behind than others, some are closer then others, and I am too busy to pay attention. This is because am too busy sucking air and eating dust. The bright spot in my position is it has taught me an immeasurable amount of lessons on character and myself that I hope that I can apply. 

Aikiweb and stuff. In my many posts, I have shared much of who I am, how I see things, and what I have done. In this way, I think it gives a better picture, and a greater context of myself for those who are interested (frankly I think am nothing special, but...) more than a simple tag line or two. I do this only for the purpose of learning more from others, which I have and continue to do from everyone. 

Though I think am being a bit self-indulgence by complying to a few requests, I hope I was humble. And I hope to stay humble  in my learning in Aikido. I find a beauty in Aikido and the words of O'Sensei, and his purpose, which are universal truths and wisdoms uniquely tied into a Japanese martial art. This is what makes Aikido special in my opinion.  In a nut shell,  I am searching to learn Aikido as originally intended, even though  I realize that may not be possible. But being impossible doesn't mean it isn't worth trying.]]></body>
	<date>12-05-2009</date>
</blogEntry>

<blogEntry id="3698">
	<title><![CDATA[Kohai/Sempai is it for you?]]></title>
	<body><![CDATA[There is another thread about a person having questions about experiencing the Kohai/Sempai (K/S) thing at a dojo. Thus far many of the replies vary in degree of what it is and how it practiced. None of which I read are from those in Japan who are experiencing it.  

I suggested as an offer of help to the situation in terms of understanding the K/S thing is to look at Sumo. Why, well Sumo is said to be the model for today's martial arts in terms of cultural practice. 

I went hunting, because I not in Japan and I wanted to know some things and on my journey I ended with...you guessed it Sumo to explain the K/S model- as a benchmark, or what have you. 

What I found along the way I will post in quotes below. But during my journey, I found these two Japanese words; Mibun and Kakushiki that kept being associated to the Tokagawa period. Many scholars site this period to be very important in terms of change and formation of laws and social structures in Japan. It sees during this time social hierarchy was really stressed, and so was laws (includes the system and social protocol-from what I gathered.  

It seems from my experience and of that I read from others  and there dojo's the K/S outside Japan vary greatly in knowledge, practice, and importance. It would be interesting to me to know if that is the case in Japan?

This is what I found: 

Overall K/S is thing about respect and responsibility, a mentor program, an apprentice program. A sports team where the pros are the Sempai's and the rookies are Kohai's. Another description was as upperclassmen and lowerclassmen/freshmen. It's that sort of thing Japanese style. The common thread is again respect and responsibilities. 

[I]The junior rikishi must get up earliest, around 5 a.m., for training whereas the sekitori may start around 7 a.m. When the sekitori are training the junior rikishi may have chores to do, such as assisting in cooking the lunch, cleaning and preparing the bath, or holding a sekitori's towel for him for when he needs it. The ranking hierarchy is preserved for the order of precedence in bathing after training, and in eating lunch. 

In the afternoon the junior rikishi will again usually have cleaning or other chores to do, while their sekitori counterparts may relax, or deal with work related issues related to their fan club. In the evening sekitori may go out with their sponsors while juniors stay at home in the stable, unless they are to accompany the stablemaster or a sekitori as his manservant when he is out (this is normally a more privileged role given to a riikishi who may be nearing sekitori status himself). 

Sekitori also are given their own room in the stable or, if married, may live in their own apartment. The junior rikishi sleep in communal dormitories. 

Thus the world of the sumo wrestler splits broadly into the junior rikishi who serve and the sekitori who are served upon. The life is especially harsh for new recruits, to whom the worst jobs tend to be allocated, and there is a high dropout rate at this stage. [/I]
[URL="http://www.jref.com/glossary/sumo.shtml"]http://www.jref.com/glossary/sumo.shtml[/URL]


Watch[URL="http://www.youtube.com/user/hpeterswald#p/a"] Sumo Confidential Parts 1-3 [/URL]


I see that at the core of it, K/S thing is similar in ways to the "Godfather Movies" or "The Sapranos" - a scene where Tony tells, an upset Christopher about how the system works, how Christopher will someday have his own Page doing things for him.
Also how the K/S has commonalities with things like some sports (pros and rookies), business, trades and crafts, and government. Because the K/S system is something Japanese and unique to Japan in it's entirety that it is something not very well understood out side of Japan in most dojos. 

As I come to the end of my journey I think about, should the  K/S thing be understood and implemented, and practiced completely traditionally, or shouldn't it?  K/S is something very much a part of Budo, and thus, Aikido. If it is practiced say when O'Sensei was in his youth is it a lesson of character building? So with that thought, is it that important to get it right? I don't know. I see both sides. 

The K/S system is archaic; there are other ways to build respect, responsibility, and character. Though not ever dojo feels the responsibility to teach such lessons in this way.  K/S let's people know where they are at. It works as an organization tool. But, it does allow for a pecking order to take place.  While some embrace the K/S seeing it's advantages and values, such as reinforcing rank and the privilages of rank, not every Aikidoka wants to go through such a think. Not very dojo, I am sure, practices the tradition the same why or with the same importance. The K/S system can keep order by pound the nails down that are sticking up. Yet, it is evident that a dojo will not fall apart if K/S thing isn't observed. The acceptance of the K/S is ultimately up the individual Sensei, and the students to partake in it. 

My journey has lead me to a clear and definite model of the K/S model.  From that I can decide the importance of K/S relationship and the degree I want to participate in it.  I have been in a few dojos and observed a variety of ways they practice K/S system.  I am still cautious of how it plays in my Aikido. Including how it is practiced within the philosophy of O'Sensei, and how closely it follows the model of Sumo. All of which is based on the idea of responsibility and respect.]]></body>
	<date>11-01-2009</date>
</blogEntry>

<blogEntry id="3696">
	<title><![CDATA[Part II: Ugly Lessons]]></title>
	<body><![CDATA[[I]The last blog entry of mine, "What isn't taught in Aikido class" might not be your average Aikido blog entry fare, but it serves to preserve a part of Aikido that isn't pretty.  [/I]


Per my last blog entry:[URL="http://www.aikiweb.com/blogs/bucks-blog-14385/whats-not-taught-in-aik-3695/"][B] see previous blog entry [/B][/URL]



We just can't sweep the ugly truth under the rug and forget about O'Sensei's war experiences and the horrors of the way the Japanese, at that time, acted during the war. But many would love to do that, to sweep the ugliness under the rug and forget it. To bury what is too shameful to remember forever. Some will not face it, some distract out of embarrassment with glossy folklore romanticism. Some, well they flavor it with mystical salt and pepper. Others are very happy the ugly truth is redefined and misunderstood.  But, this ugly truth, the history, is very vital in understanding Aikido and what is behind it.  Because as time marches on history gets further away from the truth, from accuracy, as it slips into misty obscurity. It becomes forgotten or ill-remembered, at best. The result is the distortions and twisting of the truth, or the real reason behind why we practice Aikido, and why it is about love, and what that truly means. 

This truth is something, unbearable for some as it is, should be the first lesson taught in Aikido. If this was done, it would best serve Aikido and be truer to O'Sensei and his Aikido. 

I don't think there is enough people in the world of Aikido who knows about what I spoke of in my blog entry. We kind of go blindly into Aikido accepting what we are told as being the history the reasons, because we are told that from those who are authorities. This could be as result of they are just orally passing down what they where told, or they just don't want to talk about it. 

If a person who joins Aikido and is mislead intentionally or unintentionally -all of which basically not being told what I described in my blog entry - is an injustice to Aikido and O'Sensei. 

I know that there is a philosophy about things that if it is close enough or they get the general idea, despite the background fact not quite right is good enough, "it's close enough..." That is only good for horseshoes and hand grenades- both of which do damage.]]></body>
	<date>10-31-2009</date>
</blogEntry>

<blogEntry id="3695">
	<title><![CDATA[What's not taught in Aikido class]]></title>
	<body><![CDATA[[I]"It is one of the hardest things in this prison life: the strain caused by being continually in the power of people who are only half-sane and live in a twilight of reason and humanity." [/I]   Wrote Sir Laurens Jan van der Post, during his internment as a prisoner of war, of his Japanese captors in WWII. 

[B]Pls read links first. Caution war isn't pretty- some links have graphic images and content. Could be disturbing and upsetting to some.[/B]

[URL="http://hnn.us/articles/14566.html"]Nanking Articles[/URL]
[URL=http://www.nanking-massacre.com/"] Nanking site- very graphic and disturbing photos [/URL]
[URL="http://www.think.org/pow/the_march.html"]Imprisonment[/URL]
[URL="http://www.angelfire.com/nm/bcmfofnm/atrocities/atrocities01.html"]Atrocities[/URL]
[URL="http://www.forties.net/torture1944.html"] Torture[/URL]
[URL="http://www.forties.net/beheadedPOW.html"] Degrading form of punishment[/URL]
[URL="http://www.centurychina.com/wiihist/germwar/uspow.htm"] POW[/URL]
[URL="http://www.forties.net/japconfession.html"] Confessions[/URL]



Once you have read all this, does O'Sensei's philosophy of love, peace, harmony, and so on make more sense? Does his philosophy become more clearer? Does Aikido make more sense? 

O'Sensei being a soldier and then a prisoner of war, I can't imagine he wasn't effected by the brutality and inhumanity impose on the Chinese, Americans, and Philipino soldiers and people. After the hideous war crimes committed by the Japanese army and their obsessive and fanatical power lust, I can't imagine that he didn't want to change the world. 

O'Sensei's process of change was evident in his life after the war, and it obviously profound and lasted a life time. It was a very powerful change, that effected his entire way of life and for us how he would practice budo. He clearly had a fierce love for budo. Budo was something that was his soul. It wasn't a hobby, but the very culture he grew up in, a culture that raised him, schooled him, and shaped his very being.  His experience as a soldier was so powerful that it changed him so dramatically he was to form a new relationship with his soul.  A change continued through out his life driven by powerful insight as a result of inhumanity. 

Budo wasn't something he completely abandoned in his life, and I can't see that he could.  But it was something am sure was a conflict within him that he found a way to resolve.  The budo that spirited Japan's involvement in WWII was not the budo of yore and folklore.  It wasn't the budo that shaped O'Sensei, rather developed from the budo of long days past, and lost in romanticism. A modern budo, it was that some say was misunderstood, abused, and thus becoming a perverted ideal.  An ideal of which, had lead to the emaciation of Japan.   

Possibly, and highly likely, O'Sensei was conflicted between the fantasized budo ideals that he cut his teeth on, and the perverse emaciated budo that spurred the Japanese into WWII that he followed.  O'Sensei clearly didn't hang on to the modern budo, nor did he abandon the old budo.  Budo was something he could not rid himself of, no more than he could rid himself of his heart. His resolution was a full press regression into the embracing of ancient romantic budo, and its mysticism that was of old Japan. A Japan that was once pure and clean from the grotesquely warped illusions of a polluted nationalism and misguided power lust that lead to the shame of Japan, at the end of WWII.  It is the salvation of holding on to the values of the ancient romanticized budo (that he was born into that existed in every fiber of his soul), rather than hold to mutilated way of a failed modern budo that twisted glory into an orgy of  blood lust, cruelly and criminal acts where no humanity could ever exist.  O'Sensei found resolution by cling to the past, to yesteryear, to a way that is more palatable as it is diluted with time and fancy. It was more powerful with the addition of spiritual teachings that brought balance to the soul.  Or was it not at all about that, but rather a forced resolution, of  seeing the budo that was so highly romanticized and sugar coated that didn't match up with the reality of budo as being cruel and ugly as it was and he seen in WWII.  What ever the conflict was and its resolution, be it the humanitarian view or the view of a reality over fantasy and myth, never the less, the heinous crimes of war suffered at the hands of the Japanese military can be seen as the drive for O'Sensei to promote love, peace, and harmony for the world through Aikido.  When we read about love, peace and harmony, where we are taught to refrain against violence and competition we must know the horror that he lived to truly understand Aikido. 


This is the stuff they don't teach in Aikido class, this is the stuff they don't teach at seminars. This is the stuff kindly swept under the rug. This is the stuff hidden by reference of an eccentric old man and his equal eccentric ramblings of the Cosmos and spiritual bodies. The stuff they don't teach, the ugly stuff that is hidden, avoided, package so artistically beautiful as any special Japanese gift. But this stuff, they don't teach, that is not put out in the open,  is so very important to know, to understand O'Sensei, to understand what he was about, and what he was trying to achieve. To know where he is coming from, is to know the whys of Aikido.]]></body>
	<date>10-31-2009</date>
</blogEntry>

<blogEntry id="3647">
	<title><![CDATA[Business Aikido Minded]]></title>
	<body><![CDATA[Reflecting on the new thread [URL="http://www.aikiweb.com/forums/showthread.php?t=16890"]I posted recently[/URL].   I see how Aikido is changing the way international corporations do business. They are modeling Aikido for new organizational change.  

Back some years ago, around the early 1990's many organizations used "The Book of Five Rings" as an aggressive tool in business here in the states.  But I believe that was base on the fact the Japanese had use the book as a platform for successful business practices.  Then later we have seen the success or popularity of the Six Sigma model in business. Now, the trend to use martial arts models for business has turn to a less aggressive model based on Aikido in areas such as organization, and management. 

Aikido has a greater dynamic that I think is seen in O'Sensei's mission to have Aikido not be just a single minded combat.  I base my management style solely on Aikido. I don't incorporate Aikido completely, since Aikido is very complicated and  O'Sensei was very stylistic in conveying his philosophies and thoughts.  I have look at other managers and their management styles comparing them to mine.  I can say these managers often come to me seeking advice and problem solving solutions based on my success.  It is funny I am training other mangers in Aikido thinking, unbeknownst to them, and they are finding success. 

Aikido, I believe is not a single minded combat used in business, as business is often compared to war.  It is a multifaceted and dynamic art, Aikido that can be applied successfully to all sorts of areas of business.  It has an edge over other models because it does have a focus on spiritual (psychological) that is applicable to business. And in terms of techniques it has a unique problem solving approach that works as an effective business tool. 

Aikido isn't just about combat, about fighting, about defeating a physical attack. But, if we are will to explore other areas that Aikido can be applied to we find overwhelming acceptance and success.  Aikido proves its power in a dynamic range of areas like business and just not on the street.]]></body>
	<date>09-27-2009</date>
</blogEntry>

<blogEntry id="3642">
	<title><![CDATA[Kaizen; improving my Aikido]]></title>
	<body><![CDATA[I have been told Kaizen is a new term or concept for the Japanese. Kaizen (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kaizen) falsl under that new wine in an old bottle thing. It really is like many things I use in my practice not stated directly in Aikido's writing. But, possibly modeled in O'Sensei as part of how he practiced budo. I think it is clear he was always striving for improvement. 


It is something I really try to establish in my Aikido; improvement continually within my practice of Aikido. I think it is another one of those secrets that go unnoticed, or over-looked so it isn't stressed. I also think it isn't as appealing because it sounds so common, and seems to go without saying. But that isn't Kaizen, I think there is a conscious effort and mind set that goes along with integrating the concept of Kaizen into practice.  

It is clear Kaizen is generally associated with a process that reflects modernization. I call the Kaizen of today a gendai thing. But I think the idea of continual improvement is a old one for the Japanese and in found in Budo. 

From my experience I have come to understand there is a mindset of dedicating yourself to always improving which is going forward. And avoid sliding back which would be not working toward constant improvement. 

Through the years of studying the Kaizen model, I have been able to recognize it in other theories and models in all sorts of fields. I feel based on that and my personal experience Kaizen might be a turbo boost for many in improving their practice.]]></body>
	<date>09-24-2009</date>
</blogEntry>

<blogEntry id="3641">
	<title><![CDATA[Aikido's Mind Strength]]></title>
	<body><![CDATA[[I]Like the top pro athletes, it is clear in the life stories told about O'Sensei's life, O'Sensei had the same power of mind (an internal strength), that doesn't get much discussion which seems to play a key role in the success of O'Sensei's skill and power.[/I]

I have be bloging and posting allot about the power of the mind. I have discussed how we think and perceive Aikido training and growth requiring mental strength, or mental power. The same power we see in successful professional and Olympic athletes, over and over again. And, now I want to explore further into the power of the mind and the role it plays that could help all of us improve our Aikido. 


There is allot of posts about improving Aikido and what it is lacking. The bulk of that never mention mental training that leads to the power of the mind, which seems to be an unnoticed technique in its self.  I don't know why it is over-looked as it is allot. But, it is technique for what ever reasons it isn't stressed,. I think it is more important to focus on the power of the mind, and its ability to improve our technique among other things. 

After the host of Japanese classes I took in college, one of the most predominate I walked away thinking was, the effort, the focus and the result of mental training they developed over the centuries. At certain periods of time in the Japanese history mental training started with children and wasn't exclusive to only the military trained.  It seemed to permeate every strata of society.  I am not going to argue that at times the methods to develop mental strength weren't extreme or brutal. I will say through out history such extremism and brutality wasn't unique to the Japanese in terms of mental training, i.e. Spartans. But one doesn't have to go to that extreme or suffer such brutality (self inflicted or not) to achieve improvement. 

We see the training programs of pro athletes and Olympic athletes as the standard. When we observe their training programs we see how they incorporate and focus on mental training for mental strength and power.  That is something I see with what I know of O'Sensei.   And they also model proper training methods and expectations for us to follow.  Most of all they model the importance of mental training and its benefits, which we readily see, when we see them over-come the challenges they face on the field. Something that has more intensity due to the age of technology, i.e. a game broadcasted on T.V. And bringing with it, the great opportunity to study all the advancements made in mental training's role in winning.  We in these times have a great opportunity to understand, observer, and analyze like never before the best mental training programs on earth.   

Maybe this is the great secret, mental training to create mental strength, which is a result of determination, hard work and discipline to improve and grow in Aikido.  We see these things in O'Sensei's life loud and clear.  We see it in the success of other great martial artists though out history. We see it also in our modern day athletes and their lives and achievements. With so much pointing to the importance of mental strength it can't be ignored if it is our goal to achieve greater ability and skill; Kaizen.]]></body>
	<date>09-23-2009</date>
</blogEntry>

<blogEntry id="3635">
	<title><![CDATA[The Three Don'ts Of My Aikido]]></title>
	<body><![CDATA[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.  

[B]Three Don'ts [/B]
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


[B]I use the perspective of the "Three Don'ts" to improve my training:[/B] 

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.]]></body>
	<date>09-21-2009</date>
</blogEntry>

<blogEntry id="3633">
	<title><![CDATA[Aikidoka's Learning Block]]></title>
	<body><![CDATA[Aikido being a very complex and difficult thing to do, it is no wonder that we face more blocks and slow progress then in most other martial arts. It isn't something you learn over night or in several years. It is something they don't often tell you, you will be learning this art for many years to just get it down. To be good at it, say like being decent at it, is one thing, but to master it is being along the lines of being a Tyger Woods.  It ain't stick-fighting, boxing it ain't MAA, or other arts or sports that you learn very quickly and progress quickly. Get that out of your head if you think Aikido is that.  Reality is you will be spending many years trying to make progress comparatively. 

What are some of things that get in our way of progression, 1) poor instruction. 2) capacity or aptitude for the art 3) attitude 4) impatience 5) complexity and depth of Aikido. All hinder progression. But, like when learning anything else new we or in Aikido's case at it for a long time, we feel we aren't making the progress we should, no matter how hard we try.  As I said before, Aikido is a frustrating art, that have people give up on in all sorts of ways.  

What we don't realize that Aikido is something we learn that takes time and we have to adjust for that. Aikido is an art of slow progression and progress. Sometimes it is so slow and without noticeable progression we don't realize we are still learning, and by doing so we are progressing, sometimes it seems to be a millimeter at a time.  This is where discipline and patience coming into play. I know it is allot to ask to be disciplined and patient for 10 or more years. What compounds that is that in today's world we are losing rapidly those experiences that teach us patience and discipline. We don't wait like they did in 30 or so years back, or even further. We really have things come to us fast, today then in the past and that ironically slows our progress down.

How To Deal With This Annoying Progression Blocks That Inhibit Our Progression 

Well understand Aikido isn't going to be learned over night or over several years. That there is a tough learning curve, there are road blocks in place by default, like your dealing an art that is not native to you unless your Japanese, and even then it isn't so native. 
Understand the Aikido learning curve isn't like any other, the curve has a steep climb and has false positive plateau where you feel stuck or can't find answer to move you forward. What your dealing with is a voice in your head setting expectations and goals that doesn't really understand the time it takes to learn Aikido where slow progress is the norm. Slow progress means a more complete understanding, fast learning results in a shallower understanding. If we reframe our thoughts differently, and see the benefits of slow progression, as a good thing, because Aikido has alot to it, we have less of a feeling we are not progressing.  

The Thing About Aikido Is….

Think about what doing an Aikido is all about.  You are taking another human being and completely controlling them. You are (against their will) having them involuntarily move in directions they don't want to, then depending on the case, throwing them through the air with no more effort then throwing a ball.  It is a very complicated and difficult thing to do.  In comparison, to other arts, that punch or kick, or wrestle the opponent, Aikido requires more precision and control over the opponent.  Essentially the result of Aikido is control the opponent mentally and physically completely at the moment of contact, without drawing blood, braking bones, and causing other intentional harm. That is pretty incredible, and very difficult to do.

I mean, you got to think about it, yes, there are easier and less complex ways to stop some from attacking you. One is a gun, two is taser, three is what ever future technology holds.  Actually, martial arts isn't that effective, it is the thing we use when we don't have a gun, or taser. It is the thing one step above swinging wildly to defend ourselves.  

Aikido isn't like anything else. There are easier ways to get results, but is it how you do it is what makes Aikido unique. 

The thing about Aikido is you are going to experience more learning blocks then in most any other martial art. It will be difficult to get over, but not impossible. The biggest learning block is ourselves, our expectations and need to achieve master as a short term goal. 

Once we accept progress will be slow, Aikido isn't like any thing else, it is unique, it is complex, and what you are trying to achieve is pretty incredible, you will find that those learning blocks are really markers of the more advanced learning found in Aikido.  Taking Aikido is being in it for the long haul.]]></body>
	<date>09-20-2009</date>
</blogEntry>

<blogEntry id="3614">
	<title><![CDATA[Training of a different sort]]></title>
	<body><![CDATA[We had a special training class on Labor Day. I was a class where you might get a technique to work well one day and the next you are struggling with it trying to break to the next level. Your frustration level is high. It is from stepping out of your technical comfort zone to try something new, approaching the technique from a new angle, from ground zero once again. It is a challenge that tests everything about you and in you; a problem that needs to be solved.  It is a familiar feeling any time you want to go to the next level. A perma-frustration it seems, you're off your game more than you're on.

After class, we all went to dinner and had the opportunity for good food and good conversation that always brings on good spirits. As the food and drink flowed the higher the spirits rose and more heartfelt the conversation fill our souls. It was one of those rare times when your open to all things good leaving you vulnerable to unleashing those Freudian slips of carnal wishes to be great, to be great martial [I][B]artists[/B][/I].

And to define that, to cleave the martial from the art is to separate ourselves from the flesh of violence and retreat into the spiritual realm of that higher being that we see ourselves as Aikibeings. Amidst the reason why we turned a fraternal dinner of like minds, high in camaraderie, into the Symposium  rather than a drunken belligerent swaggering of ego and testosterone was merely because our sense of who we are and what we want to achieve in Aikido. 

We didn't hesitate to disavow the wretchedness of our souls that hungered secretly to be the hero in all testosterone laden males whose fantasies are those romantic exploits. We gallantly defeat the ominous evil villain, rescue the beautiful helpless girl from her violent impeding doom, and call it a night. The part of us men where in our genetic code lingers a need to be a hero. A part in us men that once started out as a survival application that has now become obsolete in purpose. But now twisted 180 degree to an over immoderation survival/hero fantasy of middle aged men.  As self indulgent as it was into our fantasies, our purpose in discussion as well as in life was to reach a higher level. 


At the Symposium table, the ideal of love sailed to every port of each Aikidoka's diatribe, as it was earnestly crafted in lively and robust Rhetoric. There where times where the idea of love was the answer to all the ills of the world to love being merely a romantic interpretation through those wearing rose colored glasses, next port of call, some how it was the jaded hang-over of the forlorn, and finally, love experienced through an allegory of unordinary seagull. Never truly sailing back to its port of origin, we didn't really truly know what O'Sensei meant by love,  Yet we continued to drink up the conversation like pints of warm beer and bread. And like those drunken sailors or yore Shanghaied, we never found our way back to port, where we started.

If O'Sensei had a last supper, there be seated around him, his Uchi-deshi apostles and despite their sins, would all be in agreement there that violence had no place in the world.  And, if O'Sensei gave a sermon on the mount his epitomization of violence  would remind us all of the fragility of our universe and how our primative genetic code that once used for survival has not evolved. Violence impeds our ability of a higher purpose much like the once held belief  that if man was to fly, God would have have him wings. For our higher purpose there is no sun to melt the wax of our wings. Only our own insistance that it is better to accept  the lot given to you in life and not try to fly at all. To hang on to that rock and stay there. To never let go and move with the tide.  

We all agreed though training that we no longer needed to be dictated by impulses that seem to come from dark place in the recesses of our being where violence plays out.  Impulses we have disciplined through training where it is no longer an autonomic indulgence seeking the use of violence as a power over others. We imbibe the difficultly in training is that we must evolve. No longer can we sit idle in contentment at the same level of evolution of where we came from, the dank, dark, murky pool that all life once sprang from.  It was our obligation as carnal beings who wore heavy white cotton jackets and high water pants with no fasteners other then a string for the pants and a 2"cloth tied around our waists to contemplate a better being. 

The night ended with a few cheers and gulps of warm beer and remnants of a finely cooked meal savored as the conversation. It was a bonding, a reassurance of our purpose in a world that indulgences in violence and refrains from creation.  Where in a world violence is more popular that and good romp in the hay. A world where man gives no thought to his own evolution and the power that comes with that.  In our world, we find violence to be far too easy to indulge, and far too easy to profit from.  We fail to evolve…………..where the last comments before we all settled back into our lives.

So we actually had two classes that day. One carnal, and one spiritual. Both taught us allot about ourselves and who we are. And in each class we struggled to get to that next level. We are artist, in the martial art of Aikido. Where the vision and lessons of one old warrior had for a peaceful world was hammered out in a purposeful dance from the old violent martial ways. He did so in order to bring an understanding and need for a transformation, an evolution of being. Like anything worth while, it isn't an easy thing to do.]]></body>
	<date>09-09-2009</date>
</blogEntry>

<blogEntry id="3609">
	<title><![CDATA[Misperception and I: Being set straight]]></title>
	<body><![CDATA[I was posting to a fellow member about my search for the right martial art that fit me.  As I wrote out my thoughts, I found myself using an experience, as an example of a point; I had when searching for the right martial art for me.  The example was about the time I went to a Karate dojo. 

I walk into the dojo looking at Karate as a way for my geeky self to learn to kick sum butt. The Karate sensei during our introductory conversation had asked the common question of why you want to take Karate. Well I give me the standard sophomoric naive answer he must have heard hundreds of times of, "I wanted to learn to fight, of course." He told me in short that Karate, referring to all martial arts, will not make a Bruce Lee or invincible.

 He then continued to stress the best he could saying that I couldn't make as a real fighter anyway, no matter what I wanted or how I seen myself. My views of how I perceived myself and Karate where unrealistic, pure fantasy.  I didn't have the "right stuff."  It wasn't a challenge statement, but a fact. 

He continued his analysis of me by summing it up with, "You don't have the what it takes  to make a good fighter." And adding that I would end up losing (more tournaments fights) then winning no matter what contact martial art I took. He was being deadly honest. He said, if I stayed in is class I would be unhappy and would move on to something that fit me better. He than stress that there is a big difference between how we perceive ourselves vs. what we truly are, and capable of.  If I was going to be a fighter, I would already have become so and wouldn't be seeking it.  He pause, and solemnly said so truthfully it was felt to my core, that it would be an injustice for him to indulge into my fantasies. It would be irresponsible, unethical and immoral.  He offered that if I come back with the right attitude for Karate I would be welcome.

Surprised at his honesty and frankness, which was not the pandering, I got from other places, I felt horribly insulted.  What! I thought, Mr. Miyagi just rejected me! Isn't he supposed to take guys like me and turn them into great fighters like that Daniel-san?  I came to him so he would teach me how to justly exact revenge on the bullies who threatened me, just as Daniel-san did.

Needless to say, I walked out with my head hung low, ego bruised, insulted, but a bit wiser for it.  It was this event, this experience that made me take a more honest look at my geeky self, and realize I was no Daniel-san. I couldn't be morphed from geek to hero, that oxymoron took the last bus out of town. The idea that I could go to a dojo after I got sand kicked in my face, and then later return after just a couple of Karate classes and make the bully suffer from my  superior dominance and keep the girl was me hooking into the marketing ploy. I was fooling myself.  

When I came upon my first Aikido dojo, my purpose was still in my forethoughts that I wanted to learn to fight and kick sum butt. But this time, while talking to the Sensei I wasn't so open. Because I keep the words spoken to me by the Karate sensei very close. His views did make me think. He seen right through me, he knew that the path I wanted to go on was not what I needed, or should have gone down. What I need was a long road for a greater understanding of myself, I need a resolution in a more peaceful and postive way.  I didn't need competition what I needed was growth. 

After a time in Aikido, I started to see things differently. I changed and grew out of that quest to strike back at those who dealt me injustice, as a result of Aikido. I matured and became more realistic toward myself and goals I would set for myself.   But, every once in a while I still hear the words that hit so hard at my core, and smile knowing how lucky I was to get such a gift of wisdom, and not more mispreception. How lucky was I to be set straight.

[I]It is strange how we see ourselves like though a broken mirror. And yet when the mirror is fixed we tend to be upset by what we see. And rarely see the wisdom we are given when that mirror is fixed to truely seek what we need, and not what we think we need. Aikido may have not been the first step in my transformation, but it was all the rest of the steps, It was just what I needed. For that I am thankful. [/I]]]></body>
	<date>09-01-2009</date>
</blogEntry>

<blogEntry id="3604">
	<title><![CDATA[Who would ever think]]></title>
	<body><![CDATA[Aikido is a wonderful art. I think it is often misunderstood. We seem to be a contradiction and as a result misunderstood. We run around throwing people in the air, pinning them to the ground, and talk peace and love. 

I had a conversation once with a friend after class, who visited the class, and heard the Sensei instruct to the class, while in the mist of pinning a student, "We pin with love, this is a loving stretch." All the while, the student was wincing in pain.  

It was hard for my friend to make sense of that. He felt that this was odd, a contradiction. He felt that if you pinned someone you should say things that matched you behavior, like lines from "Fight Club" or something. I disagreed. I told him it was all about attitude, not having a violent attitude. 

The correct attitude is the result of more positive thoughts, like pinning with love. Your mental attitude isn't overtly aggressive or mean when doing a technique. It is just the opposite. That doesn't mean to lighten up on the intensity of your skill. It means being in control of your attitude. I told him an aggressive attitude does work to a point, but beyond that you are red-lining.  I preached that an uncontrolled or unrefined attitude interferes with being in control of the situation. Therefore, you want to stay calm, relaxed, focused, and not waste your energy when doing Aikido. That way you stay concentrated and intense not allowing distractions to take play. If you do, you might regret it as your opponent will take full advantage of that opportunity of being distracted to turn the tables on you. When in control, your reflexes work better, your body works better and all that stuff. I told him the mind is the King, and the body is the follower. Where the mind goes, so does the body. 

 "See there isn't a contradiction in Aikido." I said.  "We can perform a martial art with peace and love, without having a brutal combative mentality. We are not out to kill, or hurt." I told him.  "Rather we are out to control the situation." I gave the example, we do things like a police officer does, rather then say a professional fighter. We seek to control in a less agressive way.  I said, "it can't be done with hectic and noisy mind. See, we are not a contradiction just misunderstood."]]></body>
	<date>08-30-2009</date>
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