Furuya Sensei posted this to his Daily Message on January 4, 2003.
Yesterday, an elderly woman dropped by the dojo. I haven't seen her around for several years. She came in and looking around in the dojo said, “Oh, it is so wonderful, it makes me homesick for Japan. It is just like another world here."
Her simple words really warmed my heart. I am glad that we have a tiny oasis here where people can come and study Aikido and Iaido in peace and security. I am glad that we have a place here where people can leave the outside world behind and simply focus on their training without distractions and annoyances. This elderly lady appreciates it so much, I hope my student do too.
Occasionally, my students come to me saying that they have seen this website or happened to see that dojo and maybe we should update our dojo or maybe we should try this or that. But I never really listen to them much to their dismay. I don't want to hear it because I am not competing with other dojos. I don’t want new ways to make more money or attract new students. I am not trying to grow bigger and stronger than others. What a waste of time.
We are not here practicing the art in competition with others, nor is Aikido and Iaido a money making enterprise or business. The ultimate goal of our training is to develop ourselves physically and spiritually in the art according to the Founder's teachings - our goal is not to make lots of money. In our modern world today, where all we do is think about money all day long, it is hard for many to break this habit in their training.
Of course, this is not the best way to run a dojo if we look around and compare ourselves with the world today. Are we trying to be modern and state of the art business along with everyone else? Or, are we focused on the teachings of the ancient masters? There is a big difference between business and practice and this is so hard for us to grasp today.
Today, I urge my students to throw themselves into their training, despite their busy, overloaded schedules and lives. The ancient martial arts which have been handed down for hundreds of years, like the cherry blossom today, are so fragile and will quickly be blown away with the first gentle breeze of spring.
There is a saying, “A little bit each day, even a raindrop can break a stone.” A little bit each day, even a gentle wind can carve a valley into the mountains. A little bit each day, even we can transform ourselves in practice.
Whatever strength, youth or talent we may possess is useless if it is not put to good use. Simply focused on our own personal happiness above all others is probably the most useless pursuit of all. Effort without proper direction or virtue is like digging a hole in the clouds.