Aikido Training
The following story has been told many times, but always bears repeating for the prospective student:
Once a certain Buddhist scholar went to visit a Zen master. The scholar had a vast knowledge of Buddhist Studies. He came to study with the Zen master and asked him to teach him Zen. The student then began to talk about his extensive academic background and rambled on and on about his previous teachers and everything he knew about.
The master patiently listened as he quietly began to make tea. When the tea was ready he poured it into the scholar's cup. He continued to pour even as it flowed over the sides of the cup and onto the floor. The scholar halted from his exposition and said, "Stop! Did you see the cup is full? You can't get anymore in."
The master immediately stopped pouring and said: "You are just like this cup, full of ideas. You come and ask for teaching, but your cup is already full; I can't put anything in. Before I can teach you, you'll have to empty your cup."
The most important thing a student must possess is called nyunanshin. This means a flexible spirit. It's the ability to get past one's own previous experience and preconceived ideas and accept things with a new mind. Without this one cannot truly learn anything. It's good that a student has previous martial art experience if they are able to re-contextualize or set aside their past experience. However, it's also possible that a previous mindset and old habits can be a hindrance unless the student can empty their cup. And there is nothing to say that a person with previous martial art training will do any better in Aikido than a student that has none.
The second thing a student must have is a desire to study the art without ulterior motives. If a student is harboring some secret combat fantasy or other glamorous notions about martial arts that they've gotten from the movies then they are going to be disappointed. Actual martial art training is not about playing out your fantasies. It requires a mature mindset and a sincere desire for continuous self improvement. To understand Aikido you must first study its spirit and commit yourself fully to regular physically training. Aikido is not simply learning “the moves.” It is the expression of a principle and without understanding that principle it's just an exercise in movement.
The third thing a student must have is tenacity. Learning Aikido requires physical and intellectual perseverance. If you are prone to impatience or frustration then you will need to temper yourself. If you aren't willing to accept some discomfort then Aikido is not for you. You must be willing to commit yourself to regular training to make progress. There is no substitute for practice.
“To control aggression without inflicting injury is the Art of Peace”
~Morihei Ueshiba, Founder of Aikido[1883-1969]
