Why Haven't You Gone?

I'm curious. And yeah, it's the death of the cat thing. Well, the cat has nine lives and I'm not much of a cat person.

Anyway, this is a question to all those people who haven't made an effort to get their hands on, Rob John, Akuzawa, Mike Sigman, and Dan Harden.

Before you answer, please note that I don't expect an answer from those who haven't yet had a chance because of distance and money. Some people just won't have the money to go from the East Coast to the West Coast for a seminar (maybe because the timing isn't right, lack of income, etc).

But for all else, Why haven't you gone to get your hands on the above mentioned people?

I think at this point it may only be the choir that is listening and they're to the point of "Yeah, yeah, we fricking get it, shut up already!" . . . while those that naysay or don't care are saying or will say the same things they always have.

To be honest, if you haven't already either felt this stuff or made it a priority to make definite plans to feel this stuff -- then the likelihood of doing the work to retrain your body in order to burn this stuff -- seems very slim to me. (me being in the very very beginning stages of doing the work - it's hard from here and I don't imagine it ever getting easier)

Of course, some already may really be doing this stuff anyway, in which case they're likely also saying, "Yeah, yeah, we frickin' do it, too, shut up already!" . . . of course getting together to compare notes is the only way to be sure . . . preaching about it only goes so far

I like cats

*shutting up, now*

For some people, I'm sure that they just don't like the attitude in which some people post on the internet. So they are thinking, why should I take the time and effort to see someone and receive that same attitude in person.

The short answer is that most people are not driven (or motivated) like Mark or Budd. It's like kids asking questions, to some extent.

Some kids don't ask questions; they just conform. Some kids ask questions and listen to the answer; they're satisfied just having an answer, whether it makes sense or not. Some kids ask questions and then think about the answer they got, applying it to their understanding.

Some kids ask questions and get an answer, but then they raise the next question that the first answer raised. Then they keep asking questions. They're driven. Most people aren't like that.

In terms of Aikido, some people just do what the herd does. Some people do ask questions, but they accept the "learned" answer from some "high-ranking expert". The driven keep asking questions and looking around. In fact, that's why Ueshiba made it a habit to visit other dojos and arts, always looking for more information. Other experts that I know of do the same thing.

But then, each to his own. It just has to be expected that not everyone is as driven as others. Sometimes they're driven in something else other than your own interest. And of course, most people are really motivated to do things at a driven level. C'est la vie.

FWIW

Mike

Mike Braxton wrote: For some people, I'm sure that they just don't like the attitude in which some people post on the internet. So they are thinking, why should I take the time and effort to see someone and receive that same attitude in person.

Mike Braxton,

Thanks! It's really a good answer.

All I can offer in response is that from personal experience, I can say that my meetings with Dan, Mike, and Rob were a very good experience. I found all three to be friendly, helpful, and very good teachers.

Mark.

Mark Murray wrote: Mike Braxton, Thanks! It's really a good answer. All I can offer in response is that from personal experience, I can say that my meetings with Dan, Mike, and Rob were a very good experience. I found all three to be friendly, helpful, and very good teachers. Mark.

While I have never met Dan, I have to say, that not only are Mike, Rob, and Akuzawa very friendly in person, they were all very open about what they do, and more than happy to demonstrate it to you.

Hunter

Mark Murray wrote: Mike Braxton, Thanks! It's really a good answer. All I can offer in response is that from personal experience, I can say that my meetings with Dan, Mike, and Rob were a very good experience. I found all three to be friendly, helpful, and very good teachers. Mark.

Hello!

I've been up see Dan a number times (would like to meet Mike, Rob & Akuzawa). I'm trying to get back up in the next few weeks. I have to echo Mark on this one. I've read Dan's posts for years, and I have to say that when I met him, he was " disarmingly" friendly and a hell of a lot of fun! I felt like I'd known him for years. The written word can be a funny thing because it really doesn't let you get a sense of who someone really is. I think that this may be the case with Dan.

EAJ

Mike,
I think you misread the question.
The question is; Why haven't You Gone?

Erik Johnstone wrote: Hello! I've been up see Dan a number times (would like to meet Mike, Rob & Akuzawa). I'm trying to get back up in the next few weeks. I have to echo Mark on this one. I've read Dan's posts for years, and I have to say that when I met him, he was " disarmingly" friendly and a hell of a lot of fun! I felt like I'd known him for years. The written word can be a funny thing because it really doesn't let you get a sense of who someone really is. I think that this may be the case with Dan. EAJ

Hi Erik!
Nice to see you're still around, especially training. Have fun! I'd say work hard, but we know that's a given. lol.

Mark

Ricky Wood wrote: Mike, I think you misread the question. The question is; Why haven't You Gone?

But, Mike did go. He met Rob.

Other than the cost and time of getting across the pond, I've not gone because I've been training with someone who can do this stuff for the last 10 years

That and the fact the Mike and Dan prob wouldn't appreciate my turning up on their doorstep

Wouldn't mind getting to train with Ark and Rob sometime but it'll be when they're in Europe and when if have a job if it ever happens

Mike