The Pure Heart
I know this Aikido person who, no matter he is the nage and uke, has to be the one who is dominating.
Someone says, "He likes to win!" I suppose no one likes to lose. However, I am not sure if it is just wanting to win or if he is simply afraid of losing. It is Aikido practice. To learn, we take turns to be uke and nage. There is a low chance of getting hurt, let alone dying. So, what is it that he is so afraid of losing?
He is a big and strong guy. When techniques deem insufficient, he makes it up by force and body weight. Being his partner can be rather unpleasant. First, he is experienced enough to resist or counter your techniques. Junior students paired up with him seldom get to complete a technique as demonstrated. When he is nage, you may feel that you suddenly turn into a cereal box being prepared for recycling: he folds you up step by step until you cannot move anymore. It is uncomfortable enough to watch. It can be painful if you happen to be his partner.
O Sensei says, "Aikido is love." Aikido is about harmony. The ultimate goal of Aikido is world peace. I wonder how such fixation on dominance and the insistence in subduing the partner is in line with Aikido philosophy. Unfortunately, this guy is not alone.
In the book Budo Secrets, there is a quote by O Sensei, "The universe itself is always teaching us Aikido, but we fail to perceive it. Everyone thinks only of him or herself, and that is why there is so much contention and discord in our world. If we could just keep our hearts pure, everything would be fine. Do not think that the divine exists high above us in heaven. The divine is right here, within and around us. The purpose of Aikido is to remind us that we are in a state of grace"
My friend, Conway, always likes to ponder, "O Sensei says we gotta have a pure heart. Pure heart! So, what is a pure heart?"
When put into Aikido practice context, I think having a pure heart may just be a very simple thing.
Mean no harm. Aikido practice is not a contest of strength. As uke, we attack the nage simply because that is our role to play so we can both learn. Ideally, we rejoice in each others success. We feel happy that our partner can handle a ferocious attack from our part. Similarly, nage should gauge his strength and speed with respect to the uke's ability while doing his technique so nobody gets hurt. Do not attempt to use your strength to "do things to others". The moment you direct any force at your partner, your strong structure will fall apart like a house of cards. One moment you think you are going to conquer the world, the next moment you will lose everything.
Have faith in yourself. O Sensei says that people come to Aikido not to learn to become stronger, but to learn not to be weak. You are already strong enough; you just do not know. Once you learn how to use your body correctly, you will become invincible. Do not self doubt too much because that is what makes you weak. Good posture and clear basic body movement are your best bodyguards.
Have what is yours, but do not take what is not. Like all things in nature, the right thing will happen at the right time. For instance, do not attempt to grab your partner's wrist that is out of your reach. That only distorts your posture and weakens your structure. Be patient. Continue with the movement. Move in your space. Do not "trespass". When it is the right time for you to hold your partner's wrist, that wrist will automatically fall into your palm. Just close your fingers then and accept this gift from your partner when it is presented to you.
Trust O Sensei's wisdom. If we could just keep a pure heart, everything would be fine.
Someone says, "He likes to win!" I suppose no one likes to lose. However, I am not sure if it is just wanting to win or if he is simply afraid of losing. It is Aikido practice. To learn, we take turns to be uke and nage. There is a low chance of getting hurt, let alone dying. So, what is it that he is so afraid of losing?
He is a big and strong guy. When techniques deem insufficient, he makes it up by force and body weight. Being his partner can be rather unpleasant. First, he is experienced enough to resist or counter your techniques. Junior students paired up with him seldom get to complete a technique as demonstrated. When he is nage, you may feel that you suddenly turn into a cereal box being prepared for recycling: he folds you up step by step until you cannot move anymore. It is uncomfortable enough to watch. It can be painful if you happen to be his partner.
O Sensei says, "Aikido is love." Aikido is about harmony. The ultimate goal of Aikido is world peace. I wonder how such fixation on dominance and the insistence in subduing the partner is in line with Aikido philosophy. Unfortunately, this guy is not alone.
My friend, Conway, always likes to ponder, "O Sensei says we gotta have a pure heart. Pure heart! So, what is a pure heart?"
When put into Aikido practice context, I think having a pure heart may just be a very simple thing.
Mean no harm. Aikido practice is not a contest of strength. As uke, we attack the nage simply because that is our role to play so we can both learn. Ideally, we rejoice in each others success. We feel happy that our partner can handle a ferocious attack from our part. Similarly, nage should gauge his strength and speed with respect to the uke's ability while doing his technique so nobody gets hurt. Do not attempt to use your strength to "do things to others". The moment you direct any force at your partner, your strong structure will fall apart like a house of cards. One moment you think you are going to conquer the world, the next moment you will lose everything.
Have faith in yourself. O Sensei says that people come to Aikido not to learn to become stronger, but to learn not to be weak. You are already strong enough; you just do not know. Once you learn how to use your body correctly, you will become invincible. Do not self doubt too much because that is what makes you weak. Good posture and clear basic body movement are your best bodyguards.
Have what is yours, but do not take what is not. Like all things in nature, the right thing will happen at the right time. For instance, do not attempt to grab your partner's wrist that is out of your reach. That only distorts your posture and weakens your structure. Be patient. Continue with the movement. Move in your space. Do not "trespass". When it is the right time for you to hold your partner's wrist, that wrist will automatically fall into your palm. Just close your fingers then and accept this gift from your partner when it is presented to you.
Trust O Sensei's wisdom. If we could just keep a pure heart, everything would be fine.
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