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Showing posts from 2014

a thought brought about by the Latham Aiki Friendship seminar

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I have been thinking about what someone said about this moment they had in college where the perfect feeling happened. He looked at the basket and knew the ball was going into the basket. Then this person said they were searching for that feeling again. I think searching for any feeling is a mistake. The now is missed by trying to recreate it. Another feeling might happen but it will be when mind and body are coordinated again. Not when the mind and body are trying or when the mind is longing for something that happened in the past. Paying attention to what is, accepting what is and moving with what is, is the practice. I have those feelings all the time. I never look for the feeling. It emerges out of the now and me paying attention to what is.

No, I am right....

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Whenever we say "No, I am right," we stop the flow of communication...when we insist that uke move this way or that way by force uke will resist and get stiff. It becomes a battle of wills and the stronger physical person will win. They will be right. Aikido is being open to what is and what will be. Uke attacks. I let uke move within the bounds of suggestion and encouragement. By adding my own energy and providing direction the throw is accomplished.  Am I right? Maybe... maybe not...yet it feels so much better than forcing my way on someone else.

Lies create tension.

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Is it easier to blame some one else rather than take responsibly for how we feel? Not in the long run because it is a lie. Lies cause tension in the body and contribute to rigid thinking. Stiff mind, stiff body. Relax the mind and the body relaxes. Relax the body and the mind relaxes. Uke grabs, holds tight and doesn't move like we think they should. We can feel how we feel and chuckle at the need to blame. Then we can relax and do our best with the technique that we are learning. We can ask for help if we need it. Blaming another or ourselves is not an effective training tool. It distracts us from what we can change: our bodies, minds and spirits. 

It is here and now and true.

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A challenge for now, can I be a warrior for compassion and kindness when I feel like the universe conspires to hold me down? I see those thoughts march by and chuckle to myself “Let’s pick another story for these feelings.” Let’s practice our practice no matter what thoughts and feelings arise from the fecundity of our humanness. Let’s reap the rewards of our practice. It is here and now and true.

All that matters is what is, and now.

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To claim one's warrior spirit; to be totally present to what is now, is the purpose of aikido training. Techniques, weapons training, group exercises and meditations are all vehicles to summon and then challenge our warrior spirit. Challenge yourself to be ever in the now.  Watch your thoughts and feelings. Let them pass unfettered by anchoring stories. Let the distractions float into the ether to join the millions of other un-tethered nothings that matter not. All that matters is what is, and now.

open letters to students new and old

Good day: I wish you all a bright, inspired  new year. Ron and I are still training 3 days a week. I want to extend this invitation to all of you to come and train when you can. If you are having roadblocks with money or time or life issues I just want to  reassure you that we would love to see you.  We can work out any situation. Ron and I would like to continue training until we no longer can and would love to have you join us. Please contact me if you have any questions. concerns or suggestions. See you on the mat, Mary