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Old 05-21-2007, 02:05 PM   #8
mathewjgano
 
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Dojo: Tsubaki Kannagara Jinja Aikidojo; Himeji Shodokan Dojo
Location: Renton
Join Date: Feb 2005
Posts: 2,276
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Re: Poll: Would you consider aikido without a spiritual practice component to still b

One can be a "strong" atheist, cultivate personal character along with personal power, and still practice Aikido. I do think that if one is talking about Aikido in its most general sense, one must include some sense of self-refinement with regard to one's own personality. I think pure taijutsu isn't the Aikido of Osensei; it must include some sense of that proverbial polishing of the mirror...otherwise I'd call it Aikido-like, or of a different tradition than that of Osensei.

Gambarimashyo!
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