What is Aiki? (part 3)

However, the physical and technical aspects of Aiki in Daito-Ryu Aiki-Jujutsu and in Aikido, seem to be the same or at least seem to be based on the same core principles. Also I don't see much difference in the mental or spiritual attitude which is needed to do Aiki.

 

"Any movement done with Aiki,
becomes an Aikido technique"

 

O-Sensei explains 1: "In Aikido there is ablsolutely no attack. To attack means that the spirit has already lost. We adhere to the principle of absolute non-resistance, that is to say, we do not oppose the attacker. Thus there is no opponent in Aikido".

If we understand Aiki basically as a non-resistant and non-violent principle, it only seems consistent and logical that in Aiki no force is to be used against an opponent, since there is no intent to fight against an opponent. The emphasis lies in the word "against". Whatever force is used, it is used to maintain our balance and posture and by doing so being able to lead our opponent, which so becomes our partner. 

Since the mind is not occupied with the idea of an opponent and how to defeat him, the mind is free from aggressive thoughts against an opponent. Thus the mind is able to fully perceive a situation as it is. Therefore, to me it seems understandable when O-Sensei says that the techniques of Aikido arise naturally and spontaneously according to the situation 2. Aikido therefore is not limited to a certain number of techniques. Any movement done with Aiki, becomes an Aikido technique.

"In Aiki, we do not depend on our
physical strength and power"

In Aiki, the force involved, is not directed against an opponent. Aiki is not about who's stronger and who's not. Therefore Aiki also works well for physically weaker persons. In Aiki we do not depend on our physical strength and power. 

In Aiki we are not able to show off with our physical strength and power. Not to do so, especially for men, often seems to be quiet difficult. Henry Kono recounts about O-Sensei sometimes not being amused with the way the guys trained in Aikido 3 : "We used to apply a technique on our partner in a very competitive manner. On the other hand, O-Sensei only cared about keeping the balance between the two parts of a same entity, very much like the two parts that compose the yin and the yang. I always wonder how he could have had the patience of seeing us all get it wrong; yet letting us do it. Of course, every now and then, he would storm into the dojo and yell 'Nobody does Aikido here! Only women do Aikido!!'" 

In Aikido it is all about following the Aiki principles, consequently and without fault, fully entrusting ourselves to these principles. If we have doubts and hesitate in our action, even if just for a moment, or if we don't trust the functioning of the principle of Aiki and therefore, we put in our physical power to succeed in our techniques, we most certainly will be failing. A strong Aikido technique is not strong because a lot of power is used in doing the technique. Actually, it's quite the contrary. In Aiki, the execution of a technique doesn't require great strength and power at all.

 

"In Aikido it is all about
following the principles of Aiki"

 

What a paradox, the moment we are afraid of losing and we are not willing to take the risk of losing or failing, we will absolutely totally lose and fail with no chance to escape this predicament, other than giving up completely the will to win. But then, who really is willing to go there?

"Aiki is the technique
of no-technique"

Considering all of this, it could be said, that Aiki is the technique of no-technique. If we understand the functioning of Aiki, we can see that Aiki techniques are not really a set of techniques but are more like a principle which is used in all Aikido techniques. It is the application of the Aiki principle to a technique that makes the technique into an Aiki technique. The technique of Aiki has no distinct form, yet it has to be absolutely precise in execution. Therefore, since Aiki has no form, it can not be taught by teaching distinct forms or techniques. Yet, Aikido techniques is exactly what we are taught. Aikido techniques is what we train in our daily Aikido training.

"the formless nature of Aiki"

Many of O-Sensei's students recount that he didn’t really bother teaching techniques by explaining technical details. O-Sensei just demonstrated this and that, but gave no technical explanations whatsoever, though he did explain a lot about the principles of Aikido and Aiki. Looking at the formless nature of Aiki, this just makes sense, since how would one even try to teach a formless thing such as Aiki by the form of technique? So I guess, the best O-Sensei could do to teach his students, is to point his students towards Aiki by giving them all the necessary information they needed to be able to find Aiki for themselves. Also giving them examples of how Aiki works by demonstrating how Aiki is used in his Aikido techniques by letting them taking the experience of his Aiki.

1  2   Quotes taken from an interview with O-Sensei as published in Aikido Journal online
3  Quote taken from an interview with Henry Kono taken by Guillaume Erard in 2008?

Page first published on 19.09.2023
Page last updated on 10.01.2024

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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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