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Old 05-20-2007, 09:25 PM   #5
CNYMike
Dojo: Aikido of Central New York
Location: Cortland, NY
Join Date: Jul 2004
Posts: 1,005
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Re: Poll: Would you consider aikido without a spiritual practice component to still b

Quote:
Lynn Seiser wrote: View Post
Yes. Sequentially, IMHO the practice usually leads to some spiritual (not religious) awakening or understanding, but it seldom starts out that way. Its still Aikido in the beginning and its still Aikido in the end. We are the ones who change.
I voted "No," but it probably is in shades of meaning. If the spiritual component is what really distinguishes Aikido from everything else, then ignoring it is not a good idea! But I also understand how the spirituality is built into the art and the "flavor" of the techniques, not something you read and think about while you beat someone up.

So I guess my "no" vote isn't so much disagreement as another perspective.
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