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Old 11-20-2002, 01:57 PM   #1
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Teacher and Drugs

Hi everyone,
First of all, let me start by saying that I have no intention of making this a mud-slinging post, so don't ask for any details since I won't give them! Just want some advice in what has become a very stressful situation.

Question is: I've discovered the the chief teacher of my dojo (actually entire organization) uses drugs, and allegedly has supplied to students also. Supposedly this is common knowledge, but me (slow on the uptake, not much into the dojo gossip scene) just found out.

I feel really angry and betrayed about it, and that makes me want to address it. Admittedly, I have no proof. Confronting this person will mean leaving (or getting kicked out)...something I guess I'll be doing anyway. Probably also will have my rank stripped. It's also something that could have ramifications across the organization.

Or is it better to just walk away without saying anything, not disillusion people (assuming they care in the first place), keep my membership and rank, and just let it go?

I know at this point any action I take will be from that sense of disappointment, so I guess I'm looking for rational, objective opinions.

As I said, no more details are forthcoming, and I probably won't post again. If you have any thoughts or similar experiences with handling this kind of thing, I'd appreciate it.
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Old 11-20-2002, 02:17 PM   #2
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Why do you assume that if someone is not disillusioned by your teacher's behavior they do not care? Why do you take it upon yourself to be personally offended? What is stressful here? Is it because the information you have seems dangerous? Or is it because you feel responsible for this person? How have you been betrayed? Will this information really make you leave the dojo? I find that very odd, as if you believe Aikido is a stranger to difficulty in life. I think you confuse American laws regarding vice and Aikido practices. What will a genuine Bushi do in such a situation? Why do something? Perhaps you think that if you remain quiet you are giving tacit approval but why should a Bushi approve or dissapprove of anyone? Perhaps it is difficult to remain quiet, why should difficulty stop you? Perhaps it is difficult to express yourself in private with this person and this is why you write to a forum. If it were me I wouldn't make something where there was nothing, and I would handle what was with great care and sympathy. Probably I wouldn't bring it up, but if it was brought up by someone else I would be tactfully honest. Still, I don't see why you think you are the one in the difficult position.
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Old 11-20-2002, 02:42 PM   #3
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What "DRUGS" does he/she use? Viagra, Zovirax, Prozac? Caffeine, Champagne, Wine, Single Malt, beer..? Heroin, Cocaine? Valium? Chocolate? Nicotine? LSD, peyote? Amphetamines? Anabolic steroids? Red Bull?

Marijuana????

it would seem that you are distressed about something that's not necessarily Aikido related.

Are you sayin that the the Dojo-cho a drug pusher?

How the did he/she get to be an exemplar Aikido practicioner?

maybe this might make you rethink your biases.

However, I belive that you are not compelled to belong to any Aikido dojo, nor are you compelled to take on the habits/vices of your fellow Aikidoka.

That aside, what is it exactly that dissapoints/stresses you out about this situation?
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Old 11-20-2002, 02:53 PM   #4
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Ok, that's what I needed. I know I'm reacting from my own bias. And I'm sure I've projected my own idealizations onto this person. I guess i do need to look into why this has affected me so much since that may or may not have anything to do with the situation at hand. If I do take some action I want it to be from a place of compassion instead of anger. The stress is my own, true enough..there isn't any reason why I should let someone else's foibles affect me one way or the other just because I've put them on an Aikido pedastel. I have the chance to have a lot of contact with this person so the best course of action may be to just express concern and ask if there's anything that I can do.

Thanks to both of you for a kick in the pants.
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Old 11-20-2002, 03:37 PM   #5
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"express concern and ask if there's anything that I can do."

again you are assuming drugs are bad. if he used alcohol and owned a liquor store would you have the same problem? is it only because it's illegal or is it because it doesn't flow with your beliefs. if the latter then replace using drugs with having some opinion that is opposite of your own (i think religion would work well). so now will you leave?

i think it's silly and childish.
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Old 11-20-2002, 03:42 PM   #6
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turn the bastard over to the authorities.
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Old 11-20-2002, 03:42 PM   #7
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anonymously, of course
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Old 11-20-2002, 04:18 PM   #8
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is it affecting practice? instruction? safety? anything?

I mean, are people showing up to class all blazed up or what?

If you're talking about hearsay, I'd ignore it.
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Old 11-20-2002, 08:38 PM   #9
aikido_fudoshin
Join Date: May 2002
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I think you should show concern for your sensei, and especially if hes pushing drugs on others. People use drugs, whether it be alcohol, marijauna, cocaine etc., to escape from reality. They either are dealing with problems in life that they cant handle or they are using because there are things about themselves they dont want to except and deal with. There is either an uncontrolable problem with nothing or no one to turn to, or they have a self esteem problem. Drugs are extremely deterimental to your health as everyone has seen either in people around them, the city they live in, or the many famous people whos deaths have set examples for all. If you dont realize that drugs are bad for you you've either got a problem or your just a plain idiot.

If your sensei is a good friend I suggest you try to help him out, if hes pushing drugs, report him. If he wants to screw up his own life, fine, but when he tries to push it on others it becomes a serious problem.
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Old 11-21-2002, 10:09 AM   #10
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IMHO, accept their humanness, get out of your owb disappointment that others don't live up to your idealized fantasyland, show compassion for the pain they must have for turning to drugs, and if it severely violates you code of ethics and it inteferes with training then you may need to train someplace else.

BTW: If my Sensei used drugs and supplied them to his students, I personally would be out the door.

Until again,

Lynn
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Old 11-21-2002, 10:50 AM   #11
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I think you've shown already that you can think and react positively. to some of the other comments, I'd say, well, escaping reality is one use of some drugs, though for example cigarettes won't take you very far. Some people take drugs to enhance performance, some people take drugs because of medical purposes, and some people take drugs for pleasure.

yeah, I can see how Viagra is about escaping reality ...
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Old 11-27-2002, 04:36 PM   #12
VegasJody
Dojo: Desert Wind Aikido Las Vegas
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Consider another viewpoint: The person or persons who have told you this are working to get your exact reaction i.e.: disillusionment and leaving. And they are working on others in the dojo.

This may or may not be the case. Either way, you need the truth from your sensei not just for yourself, but to protect your sensei and the dojo.
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Old 11-27-2002, 11:45 PM   #13
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Aikido is about example, for some the relative nature of modern ethics discounts the univerasl truths O'Sensei spoke about. And i don't believe the purple smoke had anything to do with drugs. The Question is: as an Aikidoka, can you harmonize with the situation and cause there to be peace Universally, either by action or by avoidance?

As for me I still debate about the juxdoposition of certain drugs and moral behavior as a fundamental question to the good of the enlightend spirit.

Meditate three times before a final verdict, and contemplate the founder's wishes.

Bill
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Old 11-28-2002, 01:17 AM   #14
mike lee
Location: Taipei, Taiwan
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Cool mind games

Quote:
Aikido is about example, for some the relative nature of modern ethics discounts the univerasl truths O'Sensei spoke about.
It's all in your mind.

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Old 11-28-2002, 01:56 AM   #15
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The One mind? of the buddists?

The mind of one? of D'cart?

The no mind? of mushin?

Supreme mind? of Christ?

Or mind's Eye? of Hollywood?

Bill
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Old 11-28-2002, 02:19 AM   #16
Genex
 
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Talking

Quote:
() wrote:
What "DRUGS" does he/she use? Viagra, Zovirax, Prozac? Caffeine, Champagne, Wine, Single Malt, beer..? Heroin, Cocaine? Valium? Chocolate? Nicotine? LSD, peyote? Amphetamines? Anabolic steroids? Red Bull?

Marijuana????
Ludes man, you forgot the ludes! not to mention poppers and that new sh*t thats going round where they dip weed in embalming fluid with mint did you know that has really high levels of PCP's in them that'll seriously mess up your mind and your body fact.

btw bill when posting anonymously its always advisable not to sign your name at the bottom

and as for your sensei, you need more info, if he's smoking pot does he have a medical condition? if so there's your answer, although there really isnt any exuse for supplying if its anything harder you need to go the the head of the federation and get this nipped in the bud, talk to someone you can trust who will look into this. and good gods to not go to the media with this or you'll destroy the organisation this does have very serious implications thats why you really need to get more info and then talk to a senior member of your organisation.

scantia est potentia

knowledge is power

pete

like having your brains smashed out by a slice of lemon wrapped round a large gold brick. - The hitchhikers guide to the galaxy on the Pan-galactic Gargleblaster!
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Old 11-28-2002, 02:44 AM   #17
mike lee
Location: Taipei, Taiwan
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beware of Puritain crusaders

Quote:
and good gods to not go to the media with this or you'll destroy the organisation this does have very serious implications thats why you really need to get more info and then talk to a senior member of your organisation.
I don't think that anyone who truly cared about their sensei or their aikido association would put this garbage on a public forum.
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Old 11-28-2002, 02:46 AM   #18
mike lee
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mindless

Quote:
The One mind? of the buddists?

The mind of one? of D'cart?

The no mind? of mushin?

Supreme mind? of Christ?

Or mind's Eye? of Hollywood?

Bill
No — your mind, Bill.
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Old 11-28-2002, 04:34 AM   #19
Tim Griffiths
Dojo: Nes Ziona Aikikai
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I can just see a mat littered with used needles, condoms and bits of burnt tin foil. By the side of the mat a few comatose ukes are sprawled in pools of vomit. In a corner two dan grade are trying to have sex without taking off their hakamas. The picture of O-sensei has been edited to give him an enormous joint and a rastafarian hat. The sensei is sitting cross legged and naked in the center of the mat next to a huge bong with 'aiki' written on it. He says "Dudes, I can't get my head around teaching today, but I'll tell you what, its a lovely mat, eh"?



Tim

Last edited by Tim Griffiths : 11-28-2002 at 04:37 AM.

If one makes a distinction between the dojo and the battlefield, or being in your bedroom or in public, then when the time comes there will be no opportunity to make amends. (Hagakure)
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Old 11-28-2002, 05:44 AM   #20
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yes my mind... but forgive me for thinking that i could hope to shed a different light on this subject without a juvinille poke with witless rancor, in such an estemed thread, I suppose the question IS too relative to wish away with silly notions of absolute truth, like the Agatsu principle, at which i will now leave this thread.

I signed as to leave some small association to my coment...

bill
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Old 11-28-2002, 11:00 AM   #21
Erik
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Maybe an organization like this needs to be destroyed?

Maybe all the people who have looked the other way, probably for years, could use a bit of a wake up call?

Maybe the dominating thought shouldn't be to protect the organization, sensei or shihan, but the people being put at risk by this person's actions?

Maybe we also have an obligation to our community and to our fellow students, particularly new students just starting out?
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Old 11-28-2002, 11:19 AM   #22
Erik
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Since I only have 15 minutes to edit posts, let me say that I do agree with talking to folks. All the better if it can be handled that way.
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Old 11-28-2002, 11:52 AM   #23
mattholmes
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To me, this seems to be a no-brainer. This does not, directly, have to do with "aiki" or "training" or any of the other things we lable to better make sense of what we are doing on the mat.

If all of that training does not come into play now, then why are we training?

My perspective: drug use is generally a harmful and negative influence in the lives of those who choose to use them, and people that do use drugs generally do so to avoid some part of their life/themselves. I have a problem with an instructor who condons this avoidance of self discovery.

I don't think drugs are inherently evil. But why bother to take the risks? Is that really how you want to spend your life? Taking instruction from someone who influences your life so much that you trust them to throwyour body around on a mat, when this person is apparently so afraid of themselves that they cannot accept with their pain? I believe you said that you did not, that you would be leaving the dojo. This is a fine option for you, but I argue that you have another responsibility. What about other people in your orginazation? I think that, as you have reportedly heard only hear-say, you should endeavor to find more information, and then to act with your gut.

Have compassion, but do not be an idiot. This is serious stuff, and your choices will have reaching effects; they affect not only you. Behave wisely. Be good. And do not take yourself too seriously.

Smile.

Matt
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Old 11-28-2002, 06:29 PM   #24
Nacho_mx
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Who is this Unregistered dude? Why can´t I add him to my ignore list?

P.D. I don´t trust him/her

Last edited by Nacho_mx : 11-28-2002 at 06:33 PM.
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Old 12-01-2002, 10:06 PM   #25
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is aikido really a practical martial art?
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