Examination Without Judgement
Two weeks ago, Larry Levitt Sensei from Valley Aikido, Massechusetts came to Washington, DC to teach a seminar for Capitol Hill Aikikai. Of his many teachings, one statement resonates the most with me: "Examine without judgement". Levitt Sensei was telling students that, at the end of their techniques, it is useful to hold the position briefly and ask themselves: "How is my posture?" "Do I feel stable?" "How is my alignment?" These are all things one should look for in aikido practice.
I told Levitt Sensei, who is a retired counsellor, that some of my students do over-criticize themselves. If I go over to point anything out, they may get so emotional that everything falls apart. He raised his head, looked at me with much compassion and slight sadness in his eyes, and said gently, "They all do." Levitt Sensei pointed out that people tend to react to "criticisms" by thinking "Oh, this is terrible!" "I messed up!!!" and even start calling themselves names.
Sure enough, we all make mistakes. Yet, this is just being human, and it is an inevitable part of learning. Sometimes mistakes become the foundation of the knowledge we gain later. Just yesterday, I was explaining to a new aikido student why it is unhealthy and counterproductive to expect herself to be doing everything right every time. We need those mistakes to draw insights from. "If you do not know what it feels like when you do not move well, how do you know when you do?" Even a clumsy feeling can become your asset! As the Buddhist saying goes, "Events are neutral. Whether they are positive or negative, it is subjective interpretation". So, depends on how you look at it, a mistake may not be a mistake at all. It is just a part of learning and growing up.
Next time you make a "mistake", remember Levitt Sensei's advice of "Examination without judgement". Take notes, make changes, but there is no need to beat on yourself. Kicking yourself hurts both feet.
I told Levitt Sensei, who is a retired counsellor, that some of my students do over-criticize themselves. If I go over to point anything out, they may get so emotional that everything falls apart. He raised his head, looked at me with much compassion and slight sadness in his eyes, and said gently, "They all do." Levitt Sensei pointed out that people tend to react to "criticisms" by thinking "Oh, this is terrible!" "I messed up!!!" and even start calling themselves names.
Sure enough, we all make mistakes. Yet, this is just being human, and it is an inevitable part of learning. Sometimes mistakes become the foundation of the knowledge we gain later. Just yesterday, I was explaining to a new aikido student why it is unhealthy and counterproductive to expect herself to be doing everything right every time. We need those mistakes to draw insights from. "If you do not know what it feels like when you do not move well, how do you know when you do?" Even a clumsy feeling can become your asset! As the Buddhist saying goes, "Events are neutral. Whether they are positive or negative, it is subjective interpretation". So, depends on how you look at it, a mistake may not be a mistake at all. It is just a part of learning and growing up.
Next time you make a "mistake", remember Levitt Sensei's advice of "Examination without judgement". Take notes, make changes, but there is no need to beat on yourself. Kicking yourself hurts both feet.
Very well put. Thank you for this post!
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