Rigid cultural practices are often looked at as inhibiting individual expression but in traditional martial arts “rei” is a way of stepping up into an identity or spirit, working towards goals of self-improvement. Continue reading Rei; Manifesting the Spirit
Category Archives: AIki Philosophy
O’sensei said “I completely envelop my opponent’s heart with the heart of love.”
Above quote from The Journey to the Heart of Aikido by Linda Holiday
[soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/186624806#t=14:35″ params=”auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false&visual=true” width=”100%” height=”450″ iframe=”true” /]Frager Sensei trained directly from O’sensei but didn’t realize until studying the Lathi staff (11:30) that Aikido must be practiced with strength of heart, not just strength of “hara” (core) Linda Holiday Sensei reminds us to get back to basics to get to the “Heart of Aikido” and Paul Linden talks about how approaching an aggressor with an open chest, arms, and heart makes for stronger, more balanced, and more effective technique. Continue reading O’sensei said “I completely envelop my opponent’s heart with the heart of love.”
Wu Wei and chasing O’sensei
The Chinese emperor Shun was said to embody the concept of “wu wei” or effortless action, the affairs of state went smoothly without his decree or intervention, “What did he do? All he did was make himself reverent and face south in correct posture.” That sounds a lot like aikido… Continue reading Wu Wei and chasing O’sensei
Birth and Aikido; What is Ki no Nagare
Nagare waza is a term that is used to say this technique is done in motion but the meaning of the character refers to the “ki” of birth. Continue reading Birth and Aikido; What is Ki no Nagare
Bushi no Nasake; the Mindful Warrior…
True Samurai ranged from the most brutish to the most noble of individuals but the warrior without falsehood (hence the makoto calligraphy) always has a choice to express benevolence even in the most dire of circumstances. That choice is central to the practice of Aikido. Continue reading Bushi no Nasake; the Mindful Warrior…
Receiving the Gift; That’s the Meaning of Ukemi
The Ideogram for “Ukemi” is a picture of accepting the gift of a boatload of rice but in Aikdio it is explained as “the art of falling.” If you have the chance to be thrown by a high-ranking aikidoist you will have a chance to make sense of this as you fly through the air. Continue reading Receiving the Gift; That’s the Meaning of Ukemi
Growing up on Zen…and the silken maiden.
Looking across the river the young monk asks the master, “How do I get to the other side.” The master replied “little monk, you are on the other side.” My favorite story is different story about two monks but as I remember it involved a drowning maiden. Continue reading Growing up on Zen…and the silken maiden.