Daily Aikido

The only cure for materialism is the cleansing of the six senses (eyes, ears, nose, tongue, body, and mind). If the senses are clogged, one’s perception is stifled. The more it is stifled, the more contaminated the senses become. This creates disorder in the world, and that is the greatest evil of all. Polish the heart, free the six senses and let them function without obstruction, and your entire body and soul will glow.

- Morihei Ueshiba

In the Art of Peace we never attack. An attack is proof that one is out of control. Never run away from any kind of challenge, but do not try to suppress or control an opponent unnaturally. Let attackers come any way they like and then blend with them. Never chase after opponents. Redirect each attack and get firmly behind it.

- Morihei Ueshiba

Yet another great Aikido post:
Aikido Writings contains a couple of insights into Aikido. I particularly like the second:

The river flows naturally, blending with the landscape before it,
changing its shape while maintaining its form.
The large boulder, solid and impenetrable,
does not succeed in stopping the river.
The body of water does not cling to the rock, grab it or hold it.
Perhaps it just pushes just slightly into the boulder as the river simply passes by.
In fact the boulder is slowly eroded by the water on it’s way to the ocean.
Ultimately it is not the land that shapes the water but the water that shapes the land.

We endeavor in aikido to emulate this quality in our mind, body and spirit.
Allow oneself to be the river.
My personal hope is that through manifesting aikido in my life
I can slowly erode the hardness, the anger and the clinging despair of the boulders in my life
and the boulder i know that i can be.

Came across an excellent post today
20 things that any aikidoka can do to enjoy their aikido more

Great advice, including:

• Read some books…all sorts of books
• Practice weapons of some sort
• Learn to fold a hakama
• Contribute to the art

I really need to start making my own lists…

Control, control, you must learn control!

- Jedi Master Yoda

One of the axioms in Aikido is “100% control 100% of the time”. Applying this to your daily life can help you

• Stay calm when under pressure
• Lower your stress levels
• Live a healthier life

(more…)

To practice properly the Art of Peace, you must:
Calm the spirit and return to the source.
Cleanse the body and spirit by removing all malice, selfishness, and desire.
Be ever-grateful for the gifts received from the universe, your family, Mother Nature, and your fellow human beings.

- Morihei Ueshiba

As soon as you concern yourself with the ‘good’ and ‘bad’ of your fellows, you create an opening in your heart for maliciousness to enter. Testing, competing with, and criticizing others weaken and defeat you.

- Morihei Ueshiba

One of my favourite bloggers recently posted an article titled Are You Ready for the Unexpected. A great post for us bloggers but it did get me thinking.

Chris mentions that his family is suffering from some sort of illness and he even states that there is a good chance he will get that same illness. Wrong kind of thinking Chris! The mind controls the body just as the body controls the mind. How can we use this knowledge to bolster our defences? (more…)

We are formed and molded by our thoughts. Those whose minds are shaped by selfless thoughts give joy when they speak or act. Joy follows them like a shadow that never leaves them.

- Buddha

When we are unable to find tranquility within ourselves, it is useless to seek it elsewhere.

- Francois de La Rochefoucauld