Aikido – Engaging The Beginner’s Mind
First off I am out of whack on my 100 Push Ups challenge. I got a wicked head cold over the weekend, and yesterday (and today) was no day for working out. I hope to be back on track tomorrow.
It’s no mystery that I love Aikido. It’s a great passion of mine. This weekend our dojo hosted Kato Hiroshi Sensei, our teacher from Japan. He’s and 8th degree black belt and studied with the founder (O’Sensei Morihei Ueshiba) starting in 1952. Kato Sensei’s Aikido is nothing short of magical.
We host Kato Sensei once, or twice a year as his first branch dojo. I think I actually managed to learn a few things this time, which is not always the case. Sometimes I am just there training and adding my energy to the event. This time I had a couple of “Ah-hah!” moments. We will see in the next few weeks if that works out to having had any actual insights into Aikido.
This year we also did a demonstration at Notre Dame de Namur university, for the founding of Suginami SF’s first branch dojo. The demo was well received, and there were a number of sign-ups on the day of.
On the mat I had a small epiphany concerning why I love Aikido. In a nutshell – I don’t get it. After 13 years of training I can honestly say I don’t get it. I understand some of the principles, a good number of angles, the basics of technique and falling. I am confident that “wearing” my Yondan (4th degree black belt) is justified. But, still I don’t get it. Every class I see something that puzzles me, something new, something to learn. This is not a case of “return to beginner’s mind.” Rather, it’s a case of “never left beginner’s mind!” I am always learning in, and about, Aikido.
To me that is a very important point, and why it has kept me so engaged over the years. That not knowing, not getting it, is what keeps me coming back for more, especially on the days when I am not really up to it. In my thinking that is a key to a successful fitness path: Find something that keeps you engaged.
So, what do you do for fitness that keeps you in “beginner’s mind”?
4 Responses to “Aikido – Engaging The Beginner’s Mind”
Comment from Paul
Time September 23, 2009 at 2:38 pm
Travis,
I really appreciated your commentary and insights into your study of Aikido. As a practitioner myself, I’m always amazed and constantly challenged to take things to the next level.
It is all about Kaizen – continuous improvement. On that level, the study of Aikido is as a vast as the cosmos!
In Aiki,
Paul
Comment from Travis
Time September 23, 2009 at 6:05 pm
Thanks Paul, glad to know you enjoyed the post.
I fully agree, in a very real sense Aikido is a study of any possible relationship, and that is no small territory.
Cheers!
Comment from Marguerite Manteau-Rao
Time September 23, 2009 at 7:18 pm
Being challenged is a great way to stay engaged. For me, I find plenty opportunities in master’s swim practice, and also meditation. The first one stretches my body’s limits, the latter my capacity for attention.
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