Aikido, A Way to Reconcile the World

How can we possibly make a difference in the world? There is violence and killing on a scale that is so overwhelming it is almost impossible to comprehend. Sure, when we train in our nice dojo we are practicing a discipline that is designed to provide a defense to a violent attack without injuring the attacker. This is all very nice, but does it fit into our view of the dangerous place that the world has become?

Often we view peace as an abstract. We see it as an unlikely prospect that is dangled before us by politicians the way an apple is dangled before a recalcitrant mule. We are told that if we fight long and hard enough there will be "peace in our time."

The reality that confronts us is, however, an entirely different matter. We have never lived in a world that is at peace. Since the beginning of recorded history there have been nations and peoples waging war against one another. Even our religious leaders have told us that war, not peace, is the norm. And yet, we are convinced that by waging war against the "evil ones" and prevailing against them we will have peace.

The Twentieth Century was a century of war. The first decade was marked by the Boxer Rebellion in China, the end of the Boer War in Africa and Russo-Japanese war in Asia. The second decade saw the "war to end wars" or then known as the Great War. The 1920's and 1930's saw revolution and a build up to World War II (the Great War was now renamed World War I). When World War II was brought to a conclusion with the dropping of nuclear weapons on Japan we entered a new and terrible age of Cold War. This era included the Korean and Vietnam wars. It was defined by the threat of mutual destruction and the stockpiling of thermonuclear weapons. There was no peace.

The last twenty years have been pocked by war after war after war. The threat and reality of terror have permeated our existence. Our nation now has armies engaged in two separate wars in the Mideast and Asia. We accept war as the normal state of affairs. We have stopped asking why. Even our most vehement anti-war protests are a cry in the wilderness. Despair is the meat of our existence.

How can this overwhelming tide be reversed? How can we avoid being swept away by the waves of destruction? Can peace ever be more than an ideal that will never see fruition? The answers to these questions are crucial to our very existence. If humankind is unable to wean itself from the drug of war, the future of our children and grandchildren is bleak indeed.

The roots of war are elusive. The vast majority of the the world's population is against war. Very few individuals identify themselves as being "pro-war." Even those who express support for a particular war or wars will, if pressed, add that some wars are necessary or justified but agree that war in general is not a good thing. Most people will agree that an enterprise that is marked by killing, destruction of property, conquest of nations and subjugation of peoples is inherently evil.

Why then do we persist in waging wars? Why don't the victims of war (that would be all of us) say, "enough... it must stop!" The reason is, of course, that even overwhelmingly popular opposition to war is not enough to bring about peace. This is the hard lesson learned by those who protested the war in Vietnam. It is unrealistic to believe that peer pressure will cause nations to throw down their arms and declare peace.

In order to bring about world peace it is necessary that a philosophy of peace, that will replace the current (and historical) philosophy of war, be generally embraced. Only when the security of the world can be assured, by this new way of thinking, without resorting to threats, intimidation and agression can peace flourish. Such a philosophy is embodied in the principles of Aikido.

The principles of Aikido are, by no means, bleeding heart capitulation to the will of aggressors. Naked aggression by any nation, religion, political sect or criminal enterprise should not and can never be tolerated. Through Aikido we defend ourselves against attack, from individuals, by blending with and redirecting force. Nations must implement like tactics and diplomacy to achieve these same ends. The current philosophy of defense is one that foments violence, revenge and distrust. In order for the world to be peaceful it must be replaced by a philosophy of understanding and acceptance that still projects the futility of aggression.

What does this mean to us personally? It means that we hold the seeds to world peace. We have been entrusted with the knowledge that war does not have to be the normal state of affairs. When we are confronted by the argument, "there will always be war" we can state categorically that it does not have to be so. We can also say that peace is as real as the implementation of the effective principles of Aikido. The world may not know about or understand Aiki but we can be more than a voice in the wilderness when we study and spread the Aikido philosophy.

Peace in the New Ages through Aikido

Tom, Sensei

Take Your Aikido Training to a New Level

How can I be sure my Aikido works? Is my training effective? How can I rid myself of the feeling that I'm "treading water?" These are some of the nagging questions that plague most of us about our training. We all want to learn and we want to learn in the most efficient manner possible. It's only natural to feel this way and it is a positive symptom of enthusiastic commitment to the art of Aikido.

There are myriad ways to improve our technique in both Nagewaza and Ukemi. We urge our bodies and minds forward to chip away at the intricate and difficult demands of the art. We endure pain and exhaustion in order make sure we are"getting it right." We do this class after class and we rightfully expect results. We are, in short, hardwired for success. And yet, we often miss the most productive, effective and simple way to achieve our goals. Though simple, it may be the most challenging because it involves self analysis and behavior modification. What I am referring to is allowing oneself to be assimilated into the Aikido "process."

The process of Aikido is a subject worthy of miles of ink. But, in a nutshell, it is essentially the fundamental principle of blending energies. When we train Uke provides an attack. During the course of this attack he/she transfers energy to Nage. In order to achieve aiki or blending Nage receives this energy and moves in a reciprocal manner that allows a redirection of the energy. Nage is thereby able to use Uke's energy to perform a technique that resolves the conflict. It is this principle of blending with the energy of an attack that is at the very core of Aikido.

With that said, let's take a look at the dynamics of training. Since we usually train in partners we are dependent on each other to make our training effective.

Uke must deliver an effective and well centered attack. It is imperative that the attack have sufficient energy to get the process started. Nage is charged with blending with the energy of Uke's attack and transforming that energy into a technique. It is then the responsibility of Uke to blend with that reconstituted energy and execute an appropriate falling or escape technique.

During the course of this engagement both Uke and Nage must perform their responsibilities carefully and diligently for learning to take place. If either losses concentration, or breaks the concentration of the other, the process breaks down. This occurs most often as a result of inadvertence. Sometimes focusing on ones partner results in a breakdown. This can happen when the thought, "what is he/she doing?" interrupts our concentration. Of course, "shadow teaching" can also cause the process to breakdown.

It is often said that one should train with an "empty mind." This doesn't mean be stupid but rather to focus ones concentration on what he/she is feeling rather than analyzing what your partner is doing. Also, Uke and Nage should be on guard that they are not doing something to interfere with the process. For instance, should Uke tighten up and impede Nage's ability to perform a technique it will cause the learning process to completely break down. Likewise if Nage decides to interrupt the process, to correct some aspect of his/her technique, it stops the flow and prevents Uke from blending and executing proper ukemi.

When Aikidoka engage in the Aikido process they develop both the skills and principles that provide a basis for their art. The more diligently one adheres to this very simple form of practice the faster one progresses. Also, this simple formula avails one to the discovery that is inherent to efficient learning.

Maybe the hardest part is having faith that the process will produce the desired results. It is easy to second guess the process. "If I just let Nage do the technique will he/she ever learn to do it correctly?" "Can I develop the type of self-defense skill that I can use in any situation?" The answer to these questions is a resounding YES! O'Sensei developed this style of training with great care and forethought. It works! And it works so well that everybody can learn and grow by diligently emmersing themselves in the Aikido process.

Yours in Aikido

Tom, Sensei