Aikido is not polite Jiujutsu, and we do not practice to have power over others. We practice to be comfy in our own skin, and empowered among others.
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Reflections, insights, relatively unbridled thoughts, and other stuff on Aikido, life, and personal development.
Dave Goldberg Sensei, 5th Dan
Aikido of San Diego
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Copyright © 2010-11 Dave Goldberg.
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Today’s “So-desu-ne” Moment
In Aikido, we don’t deny the existence of violence, but it doesn’t mean we have to practice it.
--Tagged under: So desu neeeee--
Today’s “So-desu-ne” Moment
You do Aikido because harmony takes practice. Almost any other reason is out of alignment with the purpose of the art.
--Tagged under: So desu neeeee--
Today’s “So-desu-ne” Moment
How you show up is more important than your technical proficiency.
--Tagged under: So desu neeeee--
Today’s “So-desu-ne” Moment
Ranking is as much about starting over as it is about moving forward.
--Tagged under: So desu neeeee--
--Tagged under: quotes--
Today’s “So-desu-ne” Moment
So, two monks had a question for the head priest of the monastery. One of them reluctantly enters his office and asks, “Father, is it okay if we smoke while we pray?” “No, of course not,” said the priest. The Monk goes outside to tell his friend the bad news. “Wait a minute,” said the friend as he walked towards the Priest’s office. He poked his head in and asked, “Father, may we pray while we smoke?” “Of course,” said the priest.
Are you having trouble expressing freedom when you practice Aikido? Then practice Aikido while you’re expressing freedom.
--Tagged under: So desu neeeee--
--Tagged under: Paradoxoliscious--
Today’s “So-desu-ne” Moment
The universe has its own glue built into it. Different dimensions have different glue, but they all have the quality of allurement. In Aikido the glue is care, curiosity, and compassion. Without it, practice becomes something other than Aikido. You will express something other than Aikido…at very best, a cheaper knock-off of an original. At worst, a fear-mongering, fire-breathing, ass-scratching ignoramus who nobody wants to play with. Oh, my…
--Tagged under: So desu neeeee--
Seamlessness
Close your eyes. Imagine “seamlessness.” Now feel it. What’s there?
Grace? Ease? Belonging? Connection? Nature? Playfulness? What else? Congratulations, you’ve had a glimpse of your state prior to resistance. Aikido is here to help us return to that state in this manifest world—the world of forms that we live in every day of our lives. The process is challenging to say the least, but it doesn’t need to reside only in your imagination. It’s real. Your first job as an Aikidoist is to know this. Your second job is to take responsibility for it.
--Tagged under: True BS--
--Tagged under: So desu neeeee--
Paradoxoliscious v.06
The flip side…
As Nage—the One Who Throws—you are also one who accepts
conditions as they are
Like a parent, a teacher, or an enlightened boss
you lead while listening
and act with a compassionate hand and ruthless intention
You are free to choose
an appropriate direction
And hopefully
just maybe
conflict will turn into dance
and freedom and responsibility will walk hand-in-hand
--Tagged under: Paradoxoliscious--
--Tagged under: So desu neeeee--
