From the Aikido Center of Los Angeles’ Aiki Dojo Message - Self-reflection
The best let others make their own mistakes.
Students should actively try to make mistakes. Mistakes are how we learn and a it is only a mistake if we don’t learn from it. Regardless of level, no one is perfect. So, if we are not making mistakes, we are probably not trying hard enough. If we can’t learn from the mistakes of others, we will have to trip over our own wayward ways in order to truly learn from them.
Teachers should let the students make their own mistakes. Teaching is about guidance not control. If we give guidance or correct the student and they don’t take it, then they are probably not ready to hear it or need to make the mistake themselves. If we become overly attached to our advice or guidance, most likely we are trying to control them, knowingly or unknowingly. As teachers, part of our training is to have the internal fortitude to standby and let others make mistakes.
When learning to roll, some part of your body inevitably hits the mat—knee, hip, back. Hopefully not your head! Even after being shown, it is only through doing it over and over that we shore up our mistakes and learn to roll without pain. This cannot be explained - it has to be experienced.
Training is a journey of self-reflection. We reflect more on failure than success. Mistakes, pain or discomfort force us to look more deeply.
Each of us needs to learn our own lessons. Saving others prevents them from learning their valuable lesson. No one wants to make mistakes and no one wants to see others suffer. Perhaps that is why Furuya Sensei said, “The Way is hard.”
Today’s goal: Train today without fear of mistakes—make one and then study it and learn from it.