Welcome to AikiWeb Aikido Information
AikiWeb: The Source for Aikido Information
AikiWeb's principal purpose is to serve the Internet community as a repository and dissemination point for aikido information.

Sections
home
aikido articles
columns

Discussions
forums
aikiblogs

Databases
dojo search
seminars
image gallery
supplies
links directory

Reviews
book reviews
video reviews
dvd reviews
equip. reviews

News
submit
archive

Miscellaneous
newsletter
rss feeds
polls
about

Follow us on



Home > AikiWeb Aikido

Hello and thank you for visiting AikiWeb, the world's most active online Aikido community! This site is home to over 22,000 aikido practitioners from around the world and covers a wide range of aikido topics including techniques, philosophy, history, humor, beginner issues, the marketplace, and more.

If you wish to join in the discussions or use the other advanced features available, you will need to register first. Registration is absolutely free and takes only a few minutes to complete so sign up today!

  Home · Search · Member List · Register  

Home » Books and Publications » Essays « Previous Product 
Building_a_B_Cover_for_Kindle.jpg
>

http://www.amazon.com/Tenchi-Building-Between-Natu -- Tenchi: Building a Bridge between Heaven and Earth
Reviews Views Date of last review
1 36620
spacer
Recommended By Average Price Average Rating
100% of reviewers None indicated 8.0
Building_a_B_Cover_for_Kindle.jpg
supersize


Description: In Tenchi (Heaven and Earth in Japanese) the author convincingly argues that the connection between mind and body is part of mankind's natural heritage of power. The book consists of a series of essays that makes use of historical and contemporary material to show how that power has always been available as a free and natural resource. The author draws on his own personal experience in both Zen and Aikido training over three decades to suggest that disempowerment is a matter of choice rather than fate. The book discusses what that power is, where it comes from and how to cultivate and use it responsibly.These essays will entertain and inform , while respectfully nudging the reader away from the entanglements inherent in the pursuit of the exotic and esoteric. Tenchi argues that mankind is not an isolated creature, but part of a massive energy exchange system that we ignore at our peril. The author presents a view of man as an agent of power with the innate capacity to realise that power and the responsibility that comes with it.These essays challenge the reader to explore the legacy of power left to us by our forefathers. Man stands in the centre between heaven and earth. This position endows us with a unique opportunity to draw power from nature, and to develop a natural store of energy, wisdom and compassion that can transform our relationships with each other and our environment. Tenchi is not a 'how to' book, but it does provide some simple mind body exercises that the reader can try out for themselves. Tenchi points the way to a more expansive view of mankind through the practice of mind body training, and reminds us that the power that nature has bequeathed us is the only infinitely renewable resource that we have
Keywords: Aikido, mind, body, Zen, spirit, martial arts, philosophy
ISBN: ISBN-10: 1475279825 ISBN-13: 978-1475279825


Author
Post A Reply 
kjeremiah


Registered: January 2012
Location: Narragansett, RI
Review Date: Would you recommend the product? Yes | Price you paid?: None indicated | Rating: 8 

 
Pros:
Cons:

Tenchi: Building a Bridge between Heaven and Earth
by Alister Gillies
2012, CreateSpace, 134 pp.
paperback-$14.00
e-book-$3.99

Review by Ken Jeremiah, Ed.D.

“Tenchi: Building a Bridge between Heaven and Earth” is written by a longtime practitioner of Aikido, Alister Gillies. In this text, he relates some of the things he has learned throughout the years. These include some insights regarding the connection between the mind and body, and the training undertaken in order enhance this relationship. The book also includes information about the development of internal power, and the existence of specific (aiki) movements in Aikido that can be traced to its parent art, Daito-ryu Aikijujutsu.
The book is a collection of essays in which the author reflects upon his personal experiences while training in martial arts, and on the practices used in order to increase the connection between the mind and the body. Due to the nature of the book, there is a variety of topics covered. These topics include the “therapeutic value and function” of Aikido, and the diversity of different styles of Aikido.
“Tenchi: Building a Bridge between Heaven and Earth” also points out the popularity of Aikido (and Zen) in Italy and France. Comparing the ideas of French philosophers with the viewpoints found in Japanese martial and spiritual practices, the author explains how such seemingly diverse traditions actually blended together logically for Europeans. It is primarily for this reason that “there are more people practicing Aikido in France today than in any other country, including Japan.” Italy also retains a strong connection to Japan, and it too has a flourishing Aikido community.
In my opinion, the most interesting aspects of the book were the chapters in which Mr. Gillies delved into the history of the art. He explained that O-Sensei taught different things to different students, and that this must be kept in mind in order to understand the complete whole. He also explored the connection between Daito-ryu and Aikido with an emphasis on the changes that O-Sensei made in order to formulate Aikido. In addition, he discussed the connection of Aikido to Zen. Although O-Sensei was not a member of this sect, or any Buddhist sect, there are some practitioners today who like to make this connection. As such, this book may help to clarify such connections for students who choose to combine these traditions, modifying Aikido in order to suit their own purposes. Mr. Gillies also compares the teachings of Aikido, specifically the notion of Tenchi, to various other religious and cultural traditions on the planet, including shamanism.
“Tenchi: Building a Bridge between Heaven and Earth” does not lead readers along a linear, step-by-step voyage. Rather, it is a free-flowing, drifting text, in which the readers might not know where they will end up. However, at the end of the trip, they will be richer due to the experience. This text is worthwhile for practitioners of Aikido, and it may lead to future research regarding the connections between Chinese and Japanese practices and similar exercises found in cultures throughout the world, both new and old. I recommend it.
This user is offline
Click here to see this users profile Click here to Send this user a Private Message Find more posts by this user  


Powered by: ReviewPost PHP vB3 Enhanced
Copyright 2006 All Enthusiast, Inc.


All times are GMT -6. The time now is 04:42 AM.



All times are GMT -6. The time now is 04:42 AM.



vBulletin Copyright © 2000-2024 Jelsoft Enterprises Limited
----------
Copyright 1997-2024 AikiWeb and its Authors, All Rights Reserved.
----------
For questions and comments about this website:
Send E-mail
plainlaid-picaresque outchasing-protistan explicantia-altarage seaford-stellionate