rael razor's blog: "Aikido"

The verses and quotes that are to follow in this first post have been taken from the publication-

  The Philosophy of Aikido by Professor John Stevens.

 Published by Kodansha International Ltd. and Kodansha America.

 The writing of Professor John Stevens is based on his own study of Aikido and Buddhism, the teachings of the founder of Aikido and also from Professor Stevens instruction from his teacher, Rinjiro Shirata, who was one of the founder’s finest students.

 Morihei Ueshiba was the founder of the Japanese martial art known as Aikido (formally known as Aiki Budo) and was affectionately known to his students as O Sensei, which translates as great teacher. Aikido, or The Way of Universal Harmony, is based in spiritualism and is possibly thought by some as being one of the most philosophical martial arts. O Sensei who was considered to be profoundly enlightened, often told his students, “No philosophy, no Aikido.”

 Based on sword, spear, staff and Ju-Jitsu techniques, Aikido practise could be seen by some as akin to that of the Samurai warrior, who were expected to be scholars and philosophers.

 Aikido is defined by a set of principles. One of the first of these is “the four gratitudes-

 1 Gratitude towards the Universe-

 This is gratitude towards the gift of life, a very precious and difficult state of being to attain. According to Buddhist belief, the transmigrating soul is only as likely to find human life as a blind turtle in the great ocean who surfaces once every hundred years, is liable to poke his head through a hole in a floating log. 

 As O Sensei says-

 “Saints and sages have always revered the sacredness of Heaven and Earth, of mountains and rivers, trees and grasses. They were always mindful of the great blessings of nature. They realised that it is the purpose of all life to make the world continually afresh, to create each day anew. If you understand the principles of Aikido you to will be glad to be alive and you will greet each day with great joy. When you bow deeply to the Universe it bows back. When you call out the name of God it echoes inside you."

 2 Gratitude towards our ancestors and predecessors-

 Being grateful towards our parents and grand parents, the matriarchs of our societys and towards the many leaders, innovators, teachers, artists and trailblazers who have come before us and created human culture.

 3 Gratitude towards our fellow human beings-

 We cannot live without the support of other people. People who construct buildings, towns and roads. People who make things function. People who grow and prepare our food, people who pay our salaries, people who love, nourish and support us. People with whom we play, exercise and train.

 O sensei once said-

 “I really have no students, you are my friends and I learn from you. Because of your hard training I have made it this far. I’m always grateful for your efforts and co-operation. By definition, Aikido means co-operating with everyone, co-operating with the Gods and Goddesses of every religion.”

The fourteenth Dalai Lama has often pointed out, "we should be grateful even for our enemies, since dealing with them helps make our spirit stronger."

 4 Gratitude toward the plants and animals that sacrifice their lives for us-

 We exist at the expense of other beings in the plant and animal kingdoms, and must be grateful for each bite of food we take.

 Every philosophical system has a set of morals or virtues. In Aikido four primary virtues are held dear.

 1 The virtue of courage-

 This is brave action, courageous commitment and valorous living.

 O sensei once said-

  “The victory we seek is to overcome all challenges and fight to the finish, accomplishing our goals. In Aikido we never attack. If you strike first, to gain advantage over someone, that is proof that you’re training is insufficient and it is really you who has been defeated.”

 2 The virtue of wisdom-

 Philosophical students should develop a rich knowledge of heaven and earth. As has been said “never stop learning.”

 O Sensei has said-

  “The Universe is our great teacher. Look at the way a stream wends its way through a mountain valley, smoothly transforming its self as it flows over and around the rocks. The worlds wisdom is contained in books and by studying them, countless new techniques can be created. Study and practise and then reflect on your progress. Aikido is the art of learning deeply, the art of knowing ones self.”

 3 The virtue of love-

 The term philosophy means love of wisdom. When Pythagoras was asked “are you wise?” he would reply, “no, but I’m a lover of wisdom.”

 Love should be directed towards both objects and ideas.

 O Sensei has said of love-

  “In real budo there are no enemies. Real budo is the function of love. The way of a warrior is not to kill but to foster life, to continually create. Love is divinity that can really protect us. Without love nothing can flourish. If there is no love between human beings, that will be the end of our world. Love generates the heat and light that sustains our world.”

 4 The virtue of empathy-

 This is the social dimensions of Aikido. We must ask our self’s, “how do our actions affect the world in general and others in particular."

 If the insights of Aikido are not applied to the realms of human relations, ecology, economy and politics, they are of little value.

O Sensei has said-

  “First of all you must put your own life in order. Then you must learn how to maintain ideal relations within your own family. After that, you must strive to improve conditions in your own country and finally to live harmoniously with the world at large.”

 If you wish to read more on the philosophy of Aikido , you could purchase professor Stevens book The Philosophy of Aikido.