Aikido, the way with Aiki (part 2)

 

 

"Aikido, the way with Aiki"

 

 

Taking some steps back, let's have a look at some possible translations of the Kanji in "Ai-ki-do":

合    AI = love, harmony, unifying

気    KI = energy, breath, nature, spirit

道    DO = way, path, tao

 

Since the Kanji can have several meanings to it, different translations of the term "Aikido" can be made:

• the way of harmony
• a way to harmony
  
• the art of peace
• the harmony of nature
• way of combining forces
• way of unifying energy
  

There may be many other interpretations and translations of the term "Aikido". All of which may have a reasonable meaning to it. Nevertheless, starting to understand Aikido as "the way with Aiki", at least to me, has proven to be an important point in the process that brought me to my current understanding.

To find out what "Aikido" really is or what it really means or what it means to us, is really up to each of us. We have to find out for ourselves by means of our own training and our own thinking. To do the actual work is up to every single one of us. Because, even a thousand volumes of explanations won't get no one to understand without our own body having made the experience of Aiki, which can only be found through real practice. Our teachers may give us the right directions and indications, but it's up to us to make good use of it.

 

"to do the actual work is up
to every single one of us"

 

By understanding the term "Aikido" as "the way with Aiki", I started to look for an understanding of the term "Aiki". Once having understood the functioning of this Aiki, I started to put it into my Aikido techniques. 

Acting with Aiki means that our action is in harmony with the (physical) laws of nature. It is not so much, as we often hear in explanations about Aikido, about being in harmony with our opponent. Although when in Aiki, we will certainly also be in harmony with our opponent or training-partner. But first of all, we have to be in a harmonious state ourselves.

 

"the Aiki which I'm talking about in this blog, the principle of non-resistance, is the principle that's always got to be there, but we have to understand how it works and we also have to be able to work with it so that we can use it in our Aikido"

 

The way I see it right now is that this particular kind of Aiki, the Aiki which I'm talking about in this blog, the principle of non-resistance, is the principle that's always got to be there, but we have to understand how it works and we also have to be able to work with it so that we can use it in our Aikido.

Page first published on 09.09.2023
Page last updated on 02.09.2025

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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.

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