Aikido & Life

Lenore Sensei is very quick to let anyone who not familiar with martial arts who are interested in joining the Sangamon Aikikai that the little rituals we follow before, after, and during class are not religious in nature. And, it’s true. They are not. They are signs of respect with the origins in Asian culture handed down from martial arts’ founders. Only natural considering that is where many of the most widely studied martial arts have their origins.

No practitioner should approach Aikido as if it were a religion. But it can be a metaphor for life. Study it long enough and you will find some of its philosophies altering how you deal with others on and off the mat. O’Sensei had done a lot spiritual study during his life and some of the personal philosophies he developed do surface in the art. He expressed this once when he said, “The art of Peace I practice has room for each of the world's eight million gods, and I cooperate with them all. The God of Peace is very great and enjoins all that is divine and enlightened in every land.”

There is another saying in all martial arts, not just Aikido: “Your opponent will tell you how he wants to be defeated.” O’Sensei also said it as, “When an opponent comes forward, move in and greet him; if he wants to pull back, send him on his way.” On the mat this means be aware of your partner’s energy. How are they moving, what direction their body is pointed, how their center directed. Realizing these things – and at a certain point you’re able to feel them without looking – tells you how to direct your own body, energy, and center to throw your partner or opponent. Do not fight against them but add your resources to the direction they are already going.

Off the mat, this is equally true. Do you have a boss who overextends their authority into areas it is not appropriate? Do not argue with them. Do not fight. Appeal to a higher authority. Do you have an employee who acts too independently? Allow them their independence. Eventually, it will reap rewards or they will have to turn back to you for guidance. Do you have a relative who is only interested in you when they need something? Do not try to force them to be a part of our life. Do not wait for them to express interest in you. Live your life, regardless of their interest or blessing. You will be happier and less stressed.

Other sayings are equally relevant. On the mat, we students are often enjoined to not stop moving. Always stay in motion, even if you’re not certain what comes next or what to do. To stop is to die – or be thrown, as the case may be. If you enter into one technique and it’s not working Do Not Stop. Do something else. Anything. Eventually, you will find your body doing things before your mind has consciously told you why.

Recently, I become hooked on a Facebook game – Mahjongg Dimensions. As with most Facebook applications, it links you up to your friends who are also playing the game and allows you to post your high scores whenever you play. My scores have been considerably higher than my friends. One of my practice partners asked me how I was managing to do it. I told her, but I should have expressed it differently. I should have told her it’s like Aikido: Don’t Stop Moving. Stay in motion, regardless of what is and what is not working. Eventually, you’ll hit the right combination to win.

So many things are like that; so many things can be expressed as “like Aikido,” if only we allow ourselves to feel how our partner’s energy is moving around us.