Aikido Philosophy
"Aikido is not simply the cultivation of skills for defeating opponents; rather, it is training in how to become one with those opposing you and, in that unity, find paths of mutual coexistence. Therefore, as your technique takes effect, you should already be in a state of oneness with your opponent."
~Shoji Nishio, Shihan [1927-2005]
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As we look more closely at our lives, we come face to face with the role of the mind in creating our situations and our realities. And whatever the "truth" of our situation is, it is ultimately just our own truth.
The study of Aikido suggests that to achieve understanding and unity between people we should be able to step beyond our own "truth" and see a bigger picture that embraces our own view and the views of others. In order to truly "blend" with the attacker, we first have to eliminate the conflict that exists in our own mind. This inner conflict might show up in a desire to win, wanting to be "right" or look good, wanting to avoid pain or the desire for vengeance. Attaching ourselves to any of these limiting ideas only reinforces and solidifies the conflict.
The word Aikido is made of three kanji (Japanese characters). "Ai" means harmony, "ki" means spirit or power and "do" means path. Put together they describe a path toward spiritual harmony between people as well as within the individual.
In Japan budo is the word used for "martial arts." A closer look at the kanji that forms this word reveals the character for "halberd" (a weapon with a blade mounted on the end of a pole) coupled with the character for "stop." The implication is that budo (or martial arts) are methods for stopping violence and resolving conflict. Taken a step further, it can be said that the true martial artist trains to refrain from using their own weapons. The true place for the sword is in the scabbard and Aikido was developed to lead the martial arts back to this original meaning.
Aikido is a living philosophy. It is the study of natural wisdom that one gains through direct experience. Confucius once said, "I hear and I forget. I see and I remember. I do and I understand." In most eastern studies there is more emphasis on direct experience than intellectual knowledge. The same wisdom that informs the life of the plants, animals and the cosmos is within each of us right now. The path of natural wisdom engages us in a dialogue wherein nature becomes our tutor. So we simply have to follow the path and be open to letting the experience inform us.
The roots of Aikido come from the tradition of the Japanese samurai. The word samurai means “one who serves” and the life of the samurai was very strict. For the samurai good etiquette and proper behavior were often a matter of life and death. Today, the penalties for encroaching on basic etiquette are much less severe. So it’s easy for people to become lazy and intolerant in how they treat each other. One of the most beautiful aspects of Aikido training is the way in which etiquette permeates the experience from beginning to end. That doesn’t mean that the class is overly stiff or formal. On the contrary, understanding etiquette actually allows us to enjoy fun and freedom in practice that would otherwise be eaten away by uncertainty about what is expected of us and what to expect from others. At an another level, understanding martial etiquette makes us more sensitive to our surroundings and more aware of possible threats that might arise.
There is a great mythology that has developed in Japan around the sword. They distinguish between two uses of the sword. One sword is called satsujin ken. This is the sword that destroys and takes life and preys on the weak. There is another sword called katsujin ken. This refers to using the power of the sword righteously, to protect the weak and to cultivate ones character. This is the sword of Aikido.
Sometimes people ask, "Does Aikido really work?" It's an honest question when you compare the smooth, flowing techniques of Aikido to the hard hitting punches and kicks and multiple ways of hurting people found in most martial arts. This question usually disappears very quickly when they actually experience it. But simply impressing someone by applying a skillful technique on them is not really the proper answer to this question. I would suggest a better question might be, "How can I make my Aikido work?" Aikido is a challenge that asks us to step up and find a way to resolve the situation with an open and compassionate heart. It's like asking, "Is peace in the world possible?" This question leads to endless debate and no clear action. A better question might be, "How can we create peace in the world?" This kind of question creates an opportunity for insight that leads to real change. It's up to you to accept the challenge, walk the path and find the answers.
It's common to hear students say, "My husband (or wife) say I'm so much calmer and happier when I've been doing Aikido." People are happier when they are using their energy in a positive way. Doing Aikido cannot eliminate the challenges you face in your life, but it can help you get a clear mind and be happier even when you are faced with difficulty.
