The best Aikidoists strive to conquer their minds.
The real battleground is within. However, this field of battle cannot be accessed directly. In order to reach this playing field, we have to reach a higher level of self-development and have also gained a necessary amount of self-discipline. On this battleground we get to engage our truest enemy - the self.
In Aikido, we are trying to get to this place that Furuya Sensei called kokoro no yoyuu (心の余裕 ). Kokoro means “heart” or “mind” and yoyuu translates as “space" but is intended to mean “calmness” or “composure.” Kokoro no yoyuu is this state where our minds are unencumbered and as such can move without burden. Our minds get in the way of our movement because as someone once said, “Every action begins with a thought.” Ideally, if our minds are free, our movements will be free too.
When talking about kokoro no yoyuu, Furuya Sensei wrote, “One must develop the physical technique but only through constant training and experience can one develop the proper frame of mind or kokoro no yoyuu to have this ‘mental space’ that allows us to go as we please, freely and unhampered. This does not mean being mentally lazy or asleep, this is having an active, alert mind which is actually moving so fast, freely and spontaneously that it appears that it was very relaxed and easy all along.”
In not only Aikido, but in every aspect of our lives, we all want to move with a sense of lightness where we are not encumbered by our thoughts or emotions. Perhaps that is why Aristotle said, “Through discipline comes freedom.”
Getting to this place begins with the littlest acts of self-discipline. With every obstacle overcome, the self-discipline to do so begins to build upon themselves. As our self-discipline gets bigger, we get to engage bigger and bigger opponents. On the mat, the smallest act might have been just being disciplined enough to show up. A little larger act might be having the courage to not shy away from a bigger or stronger opponent. By the way, courage is nothing more than exercising discipline in the moment when we are afraid and want to give up, back down or give into our smaller selves.
The best Aikidoists know there will be no greater foe to face than the self. The self knows all of our weaknesses and how to get around all of our strengths. William Butler Yeats said, “It takes more courage to examine the dark corners of your own soul than it does for a soldier to fight on a battlefield.” ’O’Sensei also understood this and that’s why he believed in masakatsu agatsu (正勝吾勝) or “the true victory is self-victory.”
Our greatest victory lies not in defeating others but in knowing and mastering the self. The real battleground is within and thus the best Aikidoists strive to conquer the mind.
Today’s goal: Remember, as David Foster Wallace once said, “Your mind is an excellent servant, but a terrible master.”