Re: 040) The Depth of Irimi: Week of June 15, 2009
Hi Marc:
I think I know what you mean purposeful intention. Aikido, as my first teacher would say, is the art where the instant you try to do something, it won't work. So I think I follow at least part of what you are saying.
On the other hand, I have attended seminars with Japanese shihan where they talk about "intention." Or more precisely, they are speaking in Japanese and the word they use is then translated as "intention." As in: one sixth dan was telling us that in ikkyo, one's intention ("awareness", perhaps?) should not be on uke's arm but on a point maybe two feet behind him--that the waza should feel as if one is not acting on uke, but right through him.
Perhaps "intention" is a misleading translation for what they meant (and no, I didn't catch the actual Japanese word they used). But does any of this sound at all congruent with what you are saying?
best,
R
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