From the Aikido Center of Los Angeles’ Aiki Dojo Message - The Way
The dojo is not a temple, the teacher is not a guru, and Aikido is not a religion. The training itself is the catalyst.
Throughout our training, we are in search of Truths (with a capital T.) Truth is not the same thing as honesty. Honesty means “telling the truth, being fair, and refusing to lie, cheat, or steal.” The truth is “An objective reality or fact that exists whether we know it or not.” Because we may not know it or not, we search for what is real or what is the Truth. Therefore, the Truth is the real reason why we felt, thought, or acted the way we did. We cannot be honest if we don’t know our own inner Truths.
Training is supposed to be shugyō or “self-cultivation through disciplined practice.” After a certain level, the techniques are not the focus. Shugyō takes us deeper into the art and thus, that person, thing, or situation that is provoking us is the Way. Whatever it is that is provoked inside of us is the direction we should be going. The monk Ryokan once said, "When you have a problem, face it; when you are sick, face it; when death stalks you, face it." When we face it and delve deeply into it, we realize that whatever is happening to us in this moment just landed upon the real deeper reason for the rise in emotion or adrenaline and that is why most times seemingly benign things happen and set us off. Thus, training teaches us not to run away from those people, things or situations that provoke us but to face them and try to understand why. The why reveals to us the Truth and gives us a better understanding of ourselves.
The place I am striving to get to in my own training is fūkaku (風格) or “a natural bearing that arises when the body reveals a mind that has become quiet through shugyō.” The quietude enables the Truth to be revealed. Therefore, the real purpose of shugyō is not merely to perfect technique but to transform the person until the body naturally reveals the true bearings of the mind. Ideally, fūkaku is the outward manifestation of an inwardly cultivated mind. (FYI, I am not there yet!)
Anyone can beat anyone up and most times all it takes is a careless or terse word. Physical effectiveness or dominance means little in comparison to what is going on inside of us. The best know themselves from the inside out.
The Way is in whatever provokes us. They are there to teach us not torture us. All it takes is for us to try to see them in a different way and thus they are there for us not there happening to us. One is beneficial, the other is punitive. This mental shift enables gratitude which opens the door to our inner selves.
How do we start this? First ask yourself, “What am I really feeling?” Then name it and speak it out loud. For instance, saying, “I am really just tired.” Or “I am scared that I don’t have any money.” This speaking the Truth out loud enables us to shift from the person, thing or situation and not take it out on them. This takes the edge off. Most times, when we can do this, it is enough. From there, we take a breath and speak out loud the gratitude, “Thank you John for showing me this.” This takes us from putting the deeper baggage on to the person, thing, or situation and gives us the opportunity to calm down. From there just keep saying it even if you can’t shift your focus and things don’t change. Over time, your mind will shift and things will change.
Remember that the dojo is not a temple, the teacher is not a guru, and Aikido is not a religion. The training itself is the catalyst, and its lessons are the Way.
Today’s goal: As things happen and you start to feel provoked, ask yourself, “What is the Truth?”
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