9/27/2002 10:04am [from Jun Akiyama]
Website: http://www.aikiweb.com/spiritual/messisco1.html I just put up a new article here on AikiWeb by Dan Messisco entitled, "The Importance of Receiving." regarding Dan's experience with an aggressive tae kwon do teacher while he was teaching aikido in Seoul, Korea. I think it's definitely worth the read! |
The wonderful thing about this article was how, in the thread that it came from, it was itself an example of cutting through a situation of conflict and shifting the perspectives of the people involved. Eric Hasslehofer captured it nicely when he replied to the post by saying
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Wow. What an excellent story... certain to be repeated until it becomes legend. ;)
Where others would have felt a need to 'prove' the superiority of thier technique, Dan Messisco embodied "ai" :ai: and demonstrated the truth of Aikido :ai: :ki: :do: . |
Hi everyone! I am a newbie to Aikido (I have been training since April). I love this website and all of the very interesting and insightful posts. I have so much to learn!
Anyway..... In reading the above mentioned article I was reminded of an interview of O'Sensei that I read recently on the AikidoJournal website. In it O'Sensei mentions a few occasions where he faces off against other martial artists in order to demonstrate the power of Aikido. Interview Here is a snippet from one such instance..."I invited him to come over. While we were talking Mihamahiro said, "I've also heard that you, Sensei, possess great strength. Why don't we test our strength?" "All right. Fine. I can pin you with my index finger alone," I answered. Then I let him push me while I was seated. This fellow capable of lifting huge weights huffed and puffed but could not push me over. After that, I redirected his power away from me and he went flying by. As he fell I pinned him with my index finger, and he remained totally immobilized..." There are a few other similar instances mentioned in the interview. In order to gain a deeper understanding of Aikido I would like to ask this: Is there a fundamental difference in these two approaches, or are they just different manifestations of the same thing? The article seems to stress a non-confrontational, almost evasive tactic, while O'Sensei seems to choose a more direct approach when challenged. |
I, of course, have no idea, but I am willing to hazard a guess. I'd say that they would be different manifestations of the same thing. It actually would make a pretty good analogy to irimi and tenkan in my opinion.
Now time for the more wise to have their say! |
The application of Aikido from the perspective of the uke.
Deepest compliments and appreciation. Until again, Lynn |
Shows how the open hand overcomes the closed fist.
Beautiful example of seeing beyond the illusion and going to the heart of the matter. :ai::ki: all the way. L.C. |
don't compete!
I think Dan's story illustrates the advantages of not competing with others.
When I first started aikido, I didn't know anything about it. I just assumed that it was like most other martial arts, and that there would be some kind of competition. I didn't care -- I just wanted to learn aikido. When I found out that there was no competition, it was kind of a new concept for me (although I now know that some styles have competition). But over the years I've learned the value of not competing -- how it changes our attitude toward others, especially at that critical moment when someone wants to hand you your head on a platter. It gives you a hidden edge, because you're not like that other guy (and yet you are), and he can't quite figure that out. You're cool when he's hot -- rational amid a swirl of irrationality. Some people say that the lack of competition weakens us. I say, "it could, if you let it." Some aikidoists still compete with each other in various ways -- but this approach to training is wrong. The proper attitude is to simply strive to be better than you were during the last training lesson -- as a student or a teacher. Using this approach, you will always improve and excell. |
In my own experience, I had to finally stop competing with myself, as well as others. I had to stop trying to do well to please my sensei and make him proud of me. I was left with just doing the best I could at all times. Obviously some days are better than others, but just do the best in this instant that you can.
Constantly comparing makes us all weaker because we are fearful that we may be on the losing end of the comparison. Or the opposite, but still the same is always feeling like we're better. "Fear is the mind killer." Regards, |
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there's no need to prove anything...Myriam |
Well, this story makes me feel a little uneasy. Don't get me wrong, the outcome was great, an aikido principle was used successfully, but I can't help thinking that it was achieved on the expense of Dan's dignity, and that of aikido's. I am sorry, but this is truly how I feel about it. I think this is not the founder's aikido but rather our own christian western aikido.
I disagree fully with the idea of a confrontation, but I wish Dan could have found a less submissive way out of it. |
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He was going to see a movie and it was raining. I don't think Terry was ever the most nimble of guys and as he was running to get into line he slipped and bumped into a guy. As he described it, the guy looked like he had just had one of those conversation's where his girlfriend said the magic words. You know which one's. The kind that immediately make you crazy as only someone close to you can do. The guy was apparently pretty big too as Terry mentions the guy's size and Terry was not a little guy. Terry notices the guy is pissed and drops into sieza and bows. It completely difused the situation and as Terry put it, the guy was like "c'mon man, get up from there. What are you doing down there." |
There are I suppose many ways to have handled the situation in the article. I always feel intent is important in these type of situations. There is nothing wrong with walking away/talking down a situation, even being apologetic if you are in the wrong in a situation. As long as YOU are making the choice to back down from a potential conflict and it is not being made for you through someone imposing fear upon you. This can only be done if you have confidence in your own combative ability and choose non-violence. The old school way of dealing with this would be to get the teacher to come in as hard and as fast as he likes, deal with him and maybe gain a few Tae -Kwon - Do converts! Just thought I'd throw the cat among the pigeons!
All the best Jason T |
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I don't see that he submitted at all. That was an underhanded bastardly thing to do, teaching him Aikido and making a friend like that. Shame on him! :D
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Do we really need the "shouldn't be doing AiKiDo language"? I always cringe when I read that. I mean, I know there are lots of things that make me feel that someone else shouldn't be doing AiKiDo, but it is almost always covering up a more interesting and less dismissive feeling that I'm having underneath.
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the art of one-upmanship
Arrogance is bliss. :p
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Chuck,
I liked your posting of "fear is the mind-killer." I have read "Dune" myself and I agree that is the best way to put it. "Fear is the little-death that brings total obliteration. i will face my fear. I will permit it to pass over me and through me. And when it has gone past I will turn the inner eye to see its path. Where the fear has gone there will be nothing. Only I will remain." Messisco Sensei apparently had a similar philosophy. Congrats to a true aikidoka. Drew |
Submission
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In this situation, submitting to the man resolved the conflict in an effective way. Dan did not emphasize this aspect of the situation in his article, but it is as least as relevant to Aikido practice in general as the other aspects that have been discussed. |
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Choosing your opponents attack is about as good as strategy gets. Simon |
LOL I have just read Sensei Hookers counter example.
Notice How he also dictated the terms of the encounter. Simon |
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Dan's approach, OTOH, acknowledged that he couldn't safely throw the TKD man in a confrontational situation. That is to say that he admitted that he couldn't handle the man's attack, and by doing so, released much of the tension that had built up. This is, obviously, not the same thing as "handling his attack." Quote:
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Absolutely Giancarlo. The inescapable fact is that he "backed down" from a potentially dangerous situation. There was a peaceful resolve to this which is always a good thing, but in essence he was overpowered by another mans will to act on his demands. Nobody has the right to mentally or physically impose their will upon you. I feel this is where the unease lies in certain peoples interpretation of the article in question.
All the best Jason T |
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