Aikido, the way with Aiki (part 1)

My life experience so far has shown me that to go a way, we have to do all the steps necessary to cover the distance, one by one. Some people like to take shortcuts, but actually there's no such thing as shortcuts in life. There may be many detours in life though. But then, how can we know for certain if it realy was a detour or not? Leaving out some of the unnecessary stuff we might get a shorter way, but leaving out some of the necessary stuff, the way can't be completed. To know and understand what indeed is necessary and what's not, I guess, we will only know after completing the way. But then, a way like Aikido can never really be completed. Therefore we can't ever really know. Though of course we probably may come to understand after some time what proofed to be useful and what didn't.

Anyway,  I'm only standing at this particular point in my Aikido now because of all the steps I have taken, leading me here. Can't even really tell about detours as I got here, I do have my suspicions though.

 

"To go a way,
we have to do
all the steps necessary
to cover a distance,
one by one"

 

With the development of our abilities we will gain insight and also gain confidence. To do so we need a critical and also a kind of scientific thinking mind. Although it is important to trust in our teachers teachings, we should not just believe in what we are taught and told, but we should, for a better understanding of things, analyze and verify ourselves, if things really make sense or not, if things really work this way or not. Sometimes things are not what we think they are, as we can't see them for what they really are. This may be because we aren't, whatever the reasons, capable to see things clearly.

Taking budo perception as an example: just because yesterday I wasn't able to perceive an opening or suki 1, doesn't mean that there was no such thing. Of course it was there, I just wasn't able to perceive it. Well, this is just an easy example to illustrate the difference between a personal reality which depends on one's own perception (with personal filters and distortion) and reality itself (without personal filters and distortion). By developing my perception abilities, today I'm able to perceive that same kind of opening which before I didn't even knew it existed. 

Therefore, what I regarded as being the truth about Aiki and Aikido yesterday is not necessarily the same as I do today. Also, what I regard as truth today, tomorrow I might not necessarily do so anymore. Although, since the principle of this Aiki is based on the laws of nature itself, it will most certainly not change, but my understanding of it may evolve and deepen nevertheless. Aikido really has the power to change people, that is, if people are willing to let those changes happen. As history tells, mostly we as humans are not easily willing to change ourselves, but lucky enough some of us do and can tell others about it. So, to make progress, means to change.

 

"to make progress,
means to change"

 

All the things I’m talking about here, I am well aware, certainly may only be a small part of what's there to be told when it comes to a complete understanding of Aiki in Aikido. But then, to give a complete explanation of Aiki, isn't and can't be my intention here, as I can only talk about this particular type or part of Aiki which I have come to understand myself.

Nevertheless, realizing about this Aiki, or this particular aspect of Aiki, it has completely changed my way of looking at Aikido and thinking about Aikido and it also completely changed my way of doing Aikido.

"our Aikido too, could come
closer to be the Aikido,
as it was designed, explained
and practiced by O-Sensei"

By thinking deeply about O-Sensei's explanations on his Aiki and his Aikido, we might be able to find out more about theses subjects. And by following the indicated direction, our Aikido too, could come closer to be the Aikido, as it presumably was designed, explained and practiced by O-Sensei.

 

 

 1  suki = jap.: opening, gap, vulnerability, moment of inattention (explanation taken from Two Cranes Aikido)

  

Page first published on 06.09.2023
Page last updated on 09.07.2024

--------------------------------------
Disclaimer: everything presented in this post only represents my personal opinions based on my personal  knowledge, understanding and experiences made regarding the matter in discussion except where quotes are made. Other opinions are highly respected as long as they can withstand the argumentation. Some of the points presented may be purely speculative on my side due to the lack of evidence known to me. Any evidence presented to help clarify the points in question is highly welcomed. The post may still undergo little changes, although the content will mainly remain the same.

Notes on Copyrights: Neither text or parts of the text may be used or published elsewhere without the consent of the author. It is OK though to quote with correct references made to this text.
--------------------------------------