The Path of the Aikidoka

Since coming to Japan I began undertaking aikido instruction and I've been developing a feel for aikido and it's philosophy. In essence, aikido is the art of peace. In practice, your purpose is to avoid conflict by working to develop yourself so that conflict doesn't cross your path. This extends beyond combat. As such, the goal of many aikidokas isn't to show how well they can fight, or prove that they are strong. 

We learn techniques to be able to harmonize with the opponent. Through understanding, we can sense their intent and direction. We develop our empathy. In times of conflict, we aim to take them off balance; however, as an aikidoka, we never strike first as our goal isn't to harm others. I think of violence as negative energy being expressed, and aikido as a means to disperse and equalize that negativity. 

The practice was primarily developed as a means of developing our understanding of ourselves (body and mind) and the universe through developing our ki. What is 'ki', exactly? The answer is something that has been of debate for centuries. However, many believe ki (or 'qi' in Chinese. This is the same 'qi' in 'qi-gong') to be the essential energy that governs life. It is the force that ties everything together. It is the divine energy within us. It is the source.

It is very much a spiritual art that isn't focused on techniques that can be applied in every situation. Rather, we focus on the basics and learn to be fluid like water. Unlike the fire of the styles I've learned before, water can adapt to any situation. Water can become hard ice, water can vanish into mist. Water also has healing properties and is essential in creating life. Water reflects what it comes into contact with and thus represents harmony.

As for it being a martial art, it is much harder to protect someone than it is to hurt someone. Aikido's objective isn't to harm the opponent, so as far as combat effectiveness goes, you're not going to find what you seek in aikido. Aikido doesn't seek violence. It seeks love and acceptance. It is much harder to take someone off balance and disarm them than it is to severely hurt or kill someone. The former requires being able to predict what your opponent is going to do and instantly adapt to any attemp them make to struggle. That is why many masters of aikido still have much to improve on. At the same time, self-improvement is an endless journey, and those who seek aikido do so not in search of learning how to fight, but learning how to improve the self. 

One thing I feel is underrated about martial arts are the stories that are told during lessons. Yes, learning the techniques is huge fun, but learning about the philosophy behind the discipline and what the founders went through/taught their disciples is just as interesting. I feel it gives you a deeper understanding of the art, thus improving your mastery.

My master, Nariyama-shihan, is the third generation grand master of Aikido (he was taught by a top student of the founder, Morihei Ueshiba) and his stories are filled with warmth and fondness for his masters. His teachings also reflect those traits and are teaching me a lot about aikido in general. Unlike the other arts I've taken, there isn't a sense of hostility, just flow. Before you know it, you're already down even when you resist.

Bruce Lee was known for his philosophy on being like water, which takes the form of whatever it is contained in. This philosophy is also present in aikido and hapkido (which I also studied). Water can pass through things effortlessly. Water can strike with strong force. Water can adapt to anything. Water can vanish into nothing as mist. For me, this is very hard to do, so while it is frustrating that I have a long way to go before I can achieve such mastery, shihan's instruction is showing me acceptance of my opponents and the way of flow. 

                                                                                                                      Peace

Finding harmony in all things is the way of peace