Essential reading for internal skills (aiki) training
To all those interested in internal strength....
What are the "must read" books on the subject? Specifically, books that have helped you train (how to) or conceptualize what you are training (theory). So - for example - I wouldn't consider Transparent Power or Hidden in Plain Sight to be on this list - although both are excellent reads in their own right. They are more historical/biographical/anecdotal than practical. ...rab |
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Can we stop conclusively equating internal strength/skills to aiki?
They are not the same thing. It's lazy and/or dishonest to use the terms interchangeably. |
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Seems someone is conveniently forgetting Ueshiba's quote about Tenryu :D |
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Discounting the lackluster majority and middlings opinions and sticking to the few living legends in the aiki arts...........they all pointed to it as the source. Not to mention that we now know that Takeda thought it so important, that he told people NOT to teach the solo training and the idea of conditioning the body openly. So we coud arrive at the following idea. 1. Can we finally conclusively equate internal strength/skills to aiki? 2. They are the same thing. It's lazy and/or dishonest not to use the terms interchangeably. Dan |
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Now if we could please return to the OP regarding recommended reading... |
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My first aikido teacher told me there were no good books on aikido and he gave me Zen in the Art of Archery by Eugen Herrigel and I still have it. I really liked it (and by chance just a couple of days ago I happened to mention it to someone on here). This is the Wikipedia link.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zen_in_the_Art_of_Archery |
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(....Myers explains how patterns of strain communicate through the myofascial 'webbing', contributing to postural compensation and movement stability.} http://www.google.com/products/catal...wAg#ps-sellers David |
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Dan |
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...rab |
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Well... if you didn't read what Rob(Upyu) posts, I think it's a good start. Then go to Japan to see Akuzawa or some others in the states like Mike Sigman or Dan Harden. :)
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You are best off not wasting time reading about this shit. Every second spent reading is potential training time, irreplaceably lost. Every dollar spent on a book is money you could have spent traveling to train with people who actually have these skills. Why, rab, when you are only an hour away from someone who not only can demonstrate these skills, but can show others how to train them, are you asking about books? Do you think Dan or Mike or Ark read books before they engaged in the shugyo level of training needed to glimpse even basic levels of internal connection? Do you think Takeda Sokaku read books? The academic impulse is poison to this kind of training. Hard, systematic work, intuitive feeling, and most of all time is fundamental to making any sort of real progress. If you absolutely must let others fill your mind with their incomplete understanding incompletely expressed, then browse this forum and e-budo.com for starters. Go back to 2006, maybe a little before. Take notes. DVDs may help you a little more. Try Aunkai's DVDs for a beginning look at what is involved. Contact people. Go see the ones who make the most sense to you. Get some hands-on time, be willing to make friends with the ground and sustain some bruises in order to understand the lesson. Don't just settle for the famous names in this game. Buy Rob John a bagel sandwich. Suggest a really good fantasy novel to Mark Murray. Ask Alex Lee whether space really is the final frontier. Keep in mind that any training approach has its limitations, and even if the proponent is personally capable of demonstrating internal strength at a high level, it does not mean that his/her understanding of what they do is correct, nor that they can effectively teach what they can do. But practice. Find some people who will patiently work on these skills with you. Put in the time. Why the hell are you still reading this post? You just lost 60 seconds you could have been training. Every moment--standing, sitting, even lying down--every breath is an opportunity to work on this stuff. |
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One of the best posts I've read. :) Well worth quoting again.
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I have come across some books which seem to reinforce some of the basic ideas that I have been exposed to in training (Way of Power, Warriors of Stillness, etc.). I can't speak for Ark but it's apparent from their posts that Dan and Mike are both very well read. I'd put you, Mark, and a few other seekers in the same category too based on your posts. So at least it seems to be a common vice. :) |
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i am practicing as we speak or type or whatever. i am using my kokyu power to type, move my mouse, drink coffee/tea, and eat snacks. only amateurs need to go and train. :) |
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Ignatius,
Thanks for posting that, I was looking for it and couldn't find it. Always good to keep orientalism in check. :) Tim |
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文 武 一 |
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If you have the time and want to spend the money, in no particular order ... Get the Aikido Journal Back Issues and read them all. There are some jewels amidst all the reading (For example, some of Ueshiba's exploits). As Peter Goldsbury has pointed out, it's anecdotal so can't be construed as "proof". Research AikiWeb Posts ... Tons of information, including some "how to" posts. To narrow things a bit, most of the posts are probably within the last 4 years. Don't forget about becoming a contributing member and supporting AikiWeb. Hidden in Plain Sight and Transparent Power ... I haven't read TP yet. It's on my list. But HIPS is well worth reading. Chen Style Taijiquan Practical Method Vol 1 by Hong Junsheng ... Another excellent book filled with jewels and gems. A Life in Aikido: The Biography of Founder Morihei Ueshiba ... Referred to me by Peter Goldsbury. Some interesting correlations and historical information. One of the reprinted books, Budo, either 1933 or 1938ish ... I forget which one it is, but one has quite a few photographs. Worth some detailed looks at Ueshiba's kamae/posture throughout. ... gotta cut this short ... |
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Hi Mark
Have you finished reading "Chen Style Taijiquan Practical Method Vol 1 by Hong Junsheng"? If so i would be very interested in hearing what you have to say about the English version. I have the Chinese copy but as my reading of Chinese isn't so good it has been hard going. My wife is not too enthusiastic to translate books on taiji. Allan |
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...rab |
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