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Old 06-19-2006, 02:05 AM   #1
Bryant Watson
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Cool What does it mean to be an Aikidoka

To me it means being swift and agile as the wind through the trees, solid and grounded like the earth below my feet, fluid like the flowing stream, and to shine with an inner fire that no person may extinguish. Most of all it means having compassion for someone that may be trying to hurt you in any way. Protect uke to preserve uke, things can change in an instant.
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Old 06-19-2006, 06:49 AM   #2
cconstantine
 
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Re: What does it mean to be an Aikidoka

I'm patial to: "to be an Aikidoka is to honestly seek the truth" [in oneself, in others, in your martial art, etc.]
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Old 06-19-2006, 08:18 AM   #3
Nick Pagnucco
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Re: What does it mean to be an Aikidoka

My definition is completely based on what I think aikido is, as I define an aikidoka simply as someone who practices aikido. Unfortunately, seeing how I constantly overhaul what I think aikido is supposed to be, my definition of 'aikidoka' is constantly in flux
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Old 06-19-2006, 09:50 PM   #4
dps
 
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Re: What does it mean to be an Aikidoka

Quote:
Nicholas Pagnucco wrote:
My definition is completely based on what I think aikido is, as I define an aikidoka simply as someone who practices aikido. Unfortunately, seeing how I constantly overhaul what I think aikido is supposed to be, my definition of 'aikidoka' is constantly in flux
I agree.
I looked up the definition of Aikidoka and found."A practitioner of aikido."
A simple meaning. The not so simple meaning is of Aikido.
One of my favorite sayings is that as I am learning the answer, life is changing the question. The same with Aikido.

Go ahead, tread on me.
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Old 06-20-2006, 08:12 AM   #5
Ketsan
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Re: What does it mean to be an Aikidoka

Since everyone is at a different level, I think that I'd say to be an Aikidoka is to seek harmony with everything especially when the world seems not to want harmony with you. Somehow that seems strikingly obvious and universal to everyone regardless if they practice the physical art now that I've said it.

Last edited by Ketsan : 06-20-2006 at 08:14 AM.
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Old 06-20-2006, 09:13 AM   #6
Mark Uttech
Dojo: Yoshin-ji Aikido of Marshall
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Re: What does it mean to be an Aikidoka

Being an aikidoka is being someone on a path of discovery through Budo that leads through nature, through flower arrangement and tea ceremony, appreciation of the short life of cherry blossoms. The study of 'Ichigo Ichie'. As one becomes aware of the branching streams flowing through the darkness, every bit of life changes. One ages and keeps going, find different ways to practice and why? There is no answer except the answer to keep going.
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Old 06-20-2006, 09:20 AM   #7
Mato-san
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Re: What does it mean to be an Aikidoka

Bryant it sounds as though you feel like super man. It is nice you are fire ,water and earth all in one. Maybe you should come to a realization you may be one or the other and if you are all , I look forward to bowing down to you! A rare accoplishment And I am happy you share it with all of us! You are a freak of nature!

Before you drive or steer your vehicle, you must first start the engine, release the brake and find gear!
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Old 06-20-2006, 09:47 AM   #8
ian
 
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Re: What does it mean to be an Aikidoka

Quote:
Craig Constantine wrote:
I'm patial to: "to be an Aikidoka is to honestly seek the truth" [in oneself, in others, in your martial art, etc.]
I'd go with this as well. Ueshiba believed sincerity is the most important characteristic. I suppose most of us believe in a truth which is more expansive than our own self-interest i.e. that we are all inter-related and that senseless violence helps no-one. Also truths like yin/yang and harmony of movement. From a philosophical standpoint I wonder if any of us can 'honestly seek the truth', since we are only aware of our concious and rationalised (and not subconcious) objectives, and I'm not sure if truth means anything outside of a previously constructed model of reality or social agreement. However many people even lie to themselves in their concious mind. Therefore I suppose I would say 'to attempt to honestly seek the truth'

---understanding aikido is understanding the training method---
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Old 06-20-2006, 09:52 AM   #9
Mark Freeman
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Re: What does it mean to be an Aikidoka

Good post Ian, I believe you are speaking 'a truth', thanks.

regards,

Mark

Success is having what you want. Happiness is wanting what you have.
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Old 06-22-2006, 02:55 AM   #10
Bryant Watson
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Re: What does it mean to be an Aikidoka

I do not feel as though I am superman what was meant is that I draw insipration from these sources showing them respect and I try to incorporate them into my aikido. As others before me have said "One of my favorite sayings is that as I am learning the answer, life is changing the question. The same with Aikido." So this is one more step towards finding that truth whatever it may be.
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Old 06-22-2006, 07:12 PM   #11
statisticool
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Re: What does it mean to be an Aikidoka

Someone who is skilled at conflict resolution.

A secret of internal strength?:
"Let your weight from the crotch area BE in his hands."
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Old 06-22-2006, 10:20 PM   #12
Qatana
 
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Re: What does it mean to be an Aikidoka

But everybody Has Earth, Air, Fire & Water in their systems. And Bryant is a poet. not a freak of nature.

Q
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www.knot-working.com

"It is not wise to be incautious when confronting a little smiling bald man"'- Rule #1
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Old 06-22-2006, 10:54 PM   #13
xuzen
 
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Re: What does it mean to be an Aikidoka

Quote:
Bryant Watson wrote:
To me it means being swift and agile as the wind through the trees, solid and grounded like the earth below my feet, fluid like the flowing stream, and to shine with an inner fire that no person may extinguish. Most of all it means having compassion for someone that may be trying to hurt you in any way. Protect uke to preserve uke, things can change in an instant.
Lovely wording Bryant Watson. To me aikido gives me freedom.

Freedom to move naturally;
freedom to be what I am capable of;
freedom to be brave;
freedom to be compassionate;
freedom to protect.

Boon.

SHOMEN-ATE (TM), the solution to 90% of aikido and life's problems.
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Old 06-23-2006, 11:00 AM   #14
aiki03
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Re: What does it mean to be an Aikidoka

Quote:
Bryant Watson wrote:
...being swift and agile as the wind through the trees, solid and grounded like the earth below my feet, fluid like the flowing stream, and to shine with an inner fire that no person may extinguish. ...
Quote:
Bryant Watson wrote:
...
what was meant is that I draw insipration from these sources showing them respect...
I may have the text taken toatally out of context and if so I apoilagise. However, it sounds like you have a bit of Shintoism in you . Kudos.

....and on with the thread...

合気03. Peace.
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Old 06-23-2006, 06:46 PM   #15
statisticool
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Re: What does it mean to be an Aikidoka

I'll also add that IMO an aikidoka is a person who is strong enough to respond to violence with non-violence.

A secret of internal strength?:
"Let your weight from the crotch area BE in his hands."
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Old 06-30-2006, 03:22 PM   #16
Guilty Spark
 
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Re: What does it mean to be an Aikidoka

Quote:
Be polite, be courteous, be prepared to kill anyone you meet
Sounds harsh but I believe it sums up a warrior spirit which I believe is what Aikido is.
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Old 06-30-2006, 08:49 PM   #17
Don_Modesto
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Re: What does it mean to be an Aikidoka

Quote:
Be polite, be courteous, be prepared to kill anyone you meet

Quote:
Grant Wagar wrote:
Sounds harsh but I believe it sums up a warrior spirit which I believe is what Aikido is.
Or as one wag put it: Keeping the HARM in harmony...

(What a ponderous thread. Scze...etc., etc.--where are you, buddy?)

Don J. Modesto
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------------------------
http://www.theaikidodojo.com/
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Old 07-05-2006, 05:44 AM   #18
Chuck.Gordon
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Re: What does it mean to be an Aikidoka

What's it mean to be an aikidoka? Um, it means you study aikido. Not much else.

And in the more traditional interpretation, it has connotations that you are a 'serious' student (i.e.; nidan/sandan or higher) ...

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Old 07-05-2006, 09:02 AM   #19
Erick Mead
 
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Re: What does it mean to be an Aikidoka

Being an aikidoka means -- whatever my opponent thinks it means ...

Cordially,

Erick Mead
一隻狗可久里馬房但他也不是馬的.
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Old 07-05-2006, 09:33 AM   #20
Guilty Spark
 
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Re: What does it mean to be an Aikidoka

I think Chuck Gordon said it perfectly. Being an Aikidoa simply means you study aikido.

Now what aikido is and what aikido means to you is an all together different thing.
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Old 07-05-2006, 12:20 PM   #21
deepsoup
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Re: What does it mean to be an Aikidoka

What Chuck Gordon said!

There's some discussion of what the word means in this thread among others.

I wonder if people who're studying other things might be forgiven for thinking its someone who likes to use a lot of high falutin' pretty words (pretentious moi?) to describe themselves.

Sean
x
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Old 07-06-2006, 08:26 AM   #22
gdandscompserv
 
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Re: What does it mean to be an Aikidoka

that i'm addicted to Aikido?
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Old 07-12-2006, 01:24 PM   #23
Lachlan Kadick
 
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Re: What does it mean to be an Aikidoka

One who trains to harmonize with the Tao (which is the "do" in Aikido)

Think big, Live humbly.
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Old 07-12-2006, 06:31 PM   #24
Michael Young
 
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Re: What does it mean to be an Aikidoka

...learning to enjoy constant frustration
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Old 07-13-2006, 10:28 AM   #25
RoyK
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Re: What does it mean to be an Aikidoka

to me being Aikidoka means listening to my Sensei, trying to mimic his move, and sometimes swallowing my bitterness when I do everything wrong.
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