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Bob wrote:
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When I started aikido I had a Japanese sensei and when I called myself an aikidoka he said that I could call myself what I wished but I had to understand that the '-ka' means that (1) I devote my life to the study of aikido, (2) I make my living from aikido, and (3) I am prepared to die at this moment if challenged by anyone for any reason.
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Hmm...
With the proviso that these are purely my own opinions, and thus subject to change if someone convinces me I'm wrong..
(1) I agree with, absolutely. But then I don't believe you can 'play' at learning Aikido - though I imagine you could 'play' at turning up to practice...
(2) I don't think is so important - not when you take onboard everything that Aikido is. I mean it's not like calling yourself a Chemist because you read Nature during rest breaks when you're driving a truck... (Refering back to another thread, I do now agree it's a good idea to earn a living from teaching Aikido - so you can study full-time. I just don't believe you're necessarily less dedicated because you don't have that opportunity...)
(3) Is poppycock... Personally I'm prepared to die, at this very moment, to protect a friend or loved one. Without question. Anything else is subject to terms and conditions - most of which involve it not being a 'matter of principle', or stupid!!...
(N.B. I should clarify that by matter of principle I mean something akin to 'arguments', rather than, for example, stopping someone hurting people...)
However... From the point of view of having to explain what Aikidoka is everytime I use the term, I'm probably in favour of 'I study Aikido' (Saying "I follow the way of harmony" will probably have people thinking you're a cult-member
)
Peace,
David