Mike James

Aikido is about improving and polishing YOURSELF. We don't buy into other people's "stuff". We keep in our center and BLEND with them. This is true whether you are being robbed/attacked on the street, dealing with bosses /co-workers, or with all the trivial matters that seemingly divide all the organizations. O Sensei old us to watch him, but make Aikido our own. All the different ways/styles in how technique is/can be done makes it more interesting and gives me a sense of constant newness and helps me keep my shoshin (beginner's mind). Instead of bickering and touting Organizational party lines, we should seek out and embrace as much diversity as we can, keep what we like and works for us, and move past the rest.