Forge and forget, forge and forget…

In the most basic terms, that is what a training pattern on a path of mastery looks like. There are many who never really get to the “forget” part, which is a shame, but that is a future topic. Forging is the focus of most peoples’ training, and that’s why I’m writing about it first. I think that “forging” in the context of our training is a little misunderstood and slightly misleading. I think the problem is that we all seem to follow the model of sword forging for obvious reasons of history and lineage, and that is normally interpreted as something we do to steel in order to create something more refined, strong, and sharp. The emphasis is on repetitive doing, and the goals tend to be associated with more yang qualities (energetically speaking). Steel, however, is much different than body. Steel has properties and tendencies—qualities if you will. Body has that and more. It has intelligence, and a natural tendency towards homeostasis (balance). It is a living aspect of a bigger unit. In my experience, when you try to forge your body and movement in the common interpretation of that tradition, natural body intelligence gets usurped and you end up with a practice that’s not very natural. That can often feed imbalances that are already there. Aikido becomes very “cookie-cutter” like. I’m quite sure O-Sensei didn’t have that in mind for us. I find that when it comes to “forging,” it makes a lot of sense to ask ourselves some questions before we start hammering away. Who is the One Forging? Who’s the One even asking the question and thinking about it? What is the relationship between the One who’s forging and the body that’s being forged? How does that One have to be in order to see the body-mind come to a functional balance in (and outside) the context of our training?

So what happens when you ask yourself those questions? Do you suddenly get a sense that You are not your body, and vice versa? Do you sense that you are not your thoughts and beliefs, and vice versa? Without separating those aspects from each other, it’s important to be able to distinguish them. It’s only when you can see those distinctions and hold an awareness of it that You will actually be able to operate as a unified functioning unit—balanced and intuitive. Now you are open to a more dimensional forging experience. Yes, it starts with body, but you may never get the benefit of truly knowing the effects of your thoughts, beliefs, and patterns on your actions without asking some simple questions and making some simple distinctions. I’m quite sure the finest forgers of swords will tell you that it’s much more than hammering, folding, and polishing. The great ones will see the reflection of their whole Self in the blade they have meticulously forged, and, if approached consciously, you may see the same thing reflected in your training (and techniques that you create). Forging is more than repetition of movements. It’s a conscious, balanced, and dimensional path of training and development.