Fall Back Fridays - It's All in Your Mind

Fall Back Fridays - It's All in Your Mind

Note: Furuya Sensei originally posted this to his blog on January 7, 2005.

It's All in Your Mind:

I was watching a documentary about the life of a well-known artist. He became very sick with many health problems and eventually had several strokes which destroyed his ability to paint with his right hand. Eventually, he was able to continue his painting by switching to his left hand. The hand, he was told, was simply an extension of his mind and this thinking allowed him to continue his work. Actually, this is a pretty amazing feat although I say it rather matter-of-factly.

I believe this is very true in Aikido practice as well. We often criticize our own physical ability because of talent, age, stiffness or some other ailment but generally, these can all be overcome through the power of our own mind - if we have the right determination and motivation.

Most obstacles Life presents us are difficult to overcome by ourselves. Yet, such problems are not limited to our own selves. Each of us suffers in our own way and each person can overcome them in their own way. 

Aikido practice however allows us to explore our own minds very deeply and it is through this; great power can not only be realized but released as well.

This post appears in a slightly different form @ www.aikidocenterla.com/blog