Things at the dojo

Olathe ki aikido

2011-06-13T12:15:00.001-07:00

Happy Birthday

2010-11-28T19:06:00.000-08:00

Almost a year
eerie familiar whisper
Teaching me still

Andrew Takahisa Tsubaki
Nov. 29, 1931- Dec. 16, 2009)

DT4EMS 2 (E.V.E.-Advanced)

2010-08-15T19:21:00.000-07:00

DT4EMS 2 (E.V.E.-Advanced)

Focus: Paramedics, Firefighters, EMTs, Healthcare Providers and ER staff.

Length: 8 hours

Pre-Requisites: DT4EMS-1 (E.V.E-4-EMS/Fire or E.V.E-4-HP)

There is a widely recognized but little acknowledged problem threatening emergency medical service personnel: injury through assault. The frequency of assault on our EMS/Fire and healthcare providers is alarming. Many providers have anecdotal stories of how they were attacked by a violent patient, an angry bystander or upset family member. While most attacks are not life threatening, the risks of serious injury is evident and unpredictable. (Visit our news section of the forums for updated news of attacks) EMS providers need an effective and reasonable plan on how to avoid an attack, and also know how to defend themselves once attacked. Your emergency medical services, Fire or healthcare staff requires a reasonable, liability-conscious, effective means of preventing and avoiding assault by patients, their family or bystanders.

Real-World Application

Our Escaping Violent Encounters (E.V.E.) courses give the EMS/Fire or healthcare provider the options needed to recognize a developing threat of assault, deflect it if possible, escape if practicable, and to defend if necessary. This non-violent system of prevention and avoidance takes a realistic approach to the subject, eschewing "idealistic" training concepts and methods providing your practitioner with concepts that work in the classroom with cooperative subjects following a script. While "easy-to-sell, feel-good" classes may appeal to many, these systems fail conclusively in the real-world where crisis creates rage, diabetic reaction overcomes reason, the mentally disabled act upon their delusions, those under the influence act with superhuman strength, and the career criminal lashes out at first responders and ER personnel even as they are engaged in life-saving efforts. The inevitable failures of the non-realistic, idealistic training system puts careers at risk and creates liability when your employee attempts the trained-for methods but founders, leaving no alternative other than to go "primitive" in a bid to survive uninjured. The common advice to many EMTs in the back of an ambulance to "hit 'em with the O2 bottle" is something that this training will help to prevent.

E.V.E. is a potent, effective, and ultimately practical combination of many different disciplines brought into one comprehensive training course. The curriculum is applicable in every medical setting, from the back of an ambulance speeding at 60 mph, down a dark, dank hallway in the inner city, or in a state of the art E.R. Rather than take a “multi-member team approach," E.V.E. provides training in individual skills that every EMS provider should know to personally avoid assault--especially when that paramedic or EMT is working in a remote location with only his or her partner present.. This course provides training where oral and physical deflection skills are simple and easy to remember and apply. Why?

* E.V.E. is Practical. Our system of assault avoidance and response is designed to be relevant to every member of your staff--big or small, strong or less so, male or female, trained in defense skills or not. We not only avoid fancy techniques that are forgotten before they leave the class, we just don't teach them at all. Instead, we teach your personnel, who are some of the finest "problem-solvers" in our society, to problem-solve the situation confronting them through universal concepts of conflict resolution, deflection and recognition, and physical avoidance and escape that are available to everyone.

* E.V.E. is Defensible. Your personnel face the daily prospect of assault and injury. Without training, they WILL resort to improvised methods of defense and restraint. Their improvisation may later be found to be unreasonable, and sometimes even have criminal liability. Additionally, as their employer, your agency or company may be subject to huge civil liability exposure as a result of their actions. DT4EMS provides "Assault Response Guidelines" for those instances when prevention and avoidance are just not enough.

* E.V.E. is Designed to be Liability Conscious. Beyond receiving training in the limits to force and restraint by EMS personnel, participants are trained in articulation and documentation skills that will hold up to any scrutiny in any legal or ethical venue. Sound decisions in the face of a dangerous assault by a patient, and the articulation skills to prove the reasonableness of those responses will reduce the liability exposure in any situation.

DT4EMS- 2 (E.V.E.-Advanced) is an 8-hour course covering the basic skills required by any EMS responder or provider when facing possible, or even imminent assault with an attacker using a weapon. The course content consists of:

* Edged Weapon Defense.
* Stick/Club Defense.
* Firearm Disarms.
* Ground Defense Skills.
* Use of intermediate/improvised weapon (Tactical Safety Shears)

Yamato

2010-05-19T17:17:00.000-07:00

Defensive tactics for EMS and Escaping Violent Encounters for EMS and Fire

2010-02-04T21:22:00.000-08:00

Soon I will be offering Defensive tactics for EMS and Escaping Violent Encounters for EMS and Fire in Lawrence Kansas.

Focus: Paramedics, EMTs, ER staff.

Length: 16-hours

There is a widely recognized but little acknowledged problem threatening emergency medical service personnel: injury through assault. The frequency of assault on our EMS providers is alarming. Many EMS providers have anecdotal stories of how they were attacked by a violent patient, an angry bystander or upset family member. While most attacks are not life threatening, the risks of serious injury is evident and unpredictable. EMS providers need an effective and reasonable plan on how to avoid an attack, and also know how to defend themselves once attacked. Your emergency medical services staff requires a reasonable, liability-conscious, effective means of preventing and avoiding assault by patients, their family or bystanders.

Real-World Application

Our DT4EMS™ courses give the EMS provider the options needed to recognize a developing threat of assault, deflect it if possible, escape if practicable, and to defend if necessary. This non-violent system of prevention and avoidance takes a realistic approach to the subject, eschewing "idealistic" training concepts and methods providing your practitioner with concepts that work in the classroom with cooperative subjects following a script. While "easy-to-sell, feel-good" classes may appeal to many, these systems fail conclusively in the real-world where crisis creates rage, diabetic reaction overcomes reason, the mentally disabled act upon their delusions, those under the influence act with superhuman strength, and the career criminal lashes out at first responders and ER personnel even as they are engaged in life-saving efforts. The inevitable failures of the non-realistic, idealistic training system puts careers at risk and creates liability when your employee attempts the trained-for methods but founders, leaving no alternative other than to go "primitive" in a bid to survive uninjured. The common advice to many EMTs in the back of an ambulance to "hit 'em with the O2 bottle" is something that this training will help to prevent.

DT4EMS™ is a potent, effective, and ultimately practical combination of many different disciplines brought into one comprehensive training course. The curriculum is applicable in every medical setting, from the back of an ambulance speeding at 60 mph, down a dark, dank hallway in the inner city, or in a state of the art E.R. Rather than take a “multi-member team approach," DT4EMS™ provides training in individual skills that every EMS provider should know to personally avoid assault--especially when that paramedic or EMT is working in a remote location with only his or her partner present.. This course provides training where oral and physical deflection skills are simple and easy to remember and apply. Why?

* DT4EMS™ is Practical. Our system of assault avoidance and response is designed to be relevant to every member of your staff--big or small, strong or less so, male or female, trained in defense skills or not. We not only avoid fancy techniques that are forgotten before they leave the class, we just don't teach them at all. Instead, we teach your personnel, who are some of the finest "problem-solvers" in our society, to problem-solve the situation confronting them through universal concepts of conflict resolution, deflection and recognition, and physical avoidance and escape that are available to everyone.

* DT4EMS™ is Defensible. Your personnel face the daily prospect of assault and injury. Without training, they WILL resort to improvised methods of defense and restraint. Their improvisation may later be found to be unreasonable, and sometimes even have criminal liability. Additionally, as their employer, your agency or company may be subject to huge civil liability exposure as a result of their actions. DT4EMS™ provides "Force Response Guidelines" for those instances when prevention and avoidance are just not enough.

* DT4EMS™ is Designed to be Liability Conscious. Beyond receiving training in the limits to force and restraint by EMS personnel, participants are trained in articulation and documentation skills that will hold up to any scrutiny in any legal or ethical venue. Sound decisions in the face of a dangerous assault by a patient, and the articulation skills to prove the reasonableness of those responses will reduce the liability exposure in any situation.

DT4EMS™ 1 is an 16-hour course covering the basic skills required by any EMS responder or provider when facing possible, or even imminent assault. The course content consists of:

* Dispatch-to-scene indicators. (Pre- Arrival)
* Verbal skills to diffuse potentially violent encounters.
* Arrival-scene indicators. (Safe ambulance parking, entrance/exit plan)
* Pre-assault indicators. (crowd, body language, scene survey)
* The 5 D's (Drugged, Domestic, Diabetic, Deranged, Drunk) What to look for in each.
* Legal aspects of self-defense.
* Legal aspects of patient restraint.
* Mental Preparation (Survival Mindset, Understanding stress and it's effects)
* Documentation Skills (Using the DT4EMS Assault Response Form)
* Courtroom Demeanor
* Good Customer Service
* Assault Response Guidelines. (levels of force)
* Assault Response Problem-Solving.
* Physical Fitness in EMS (Exercise and Diet tips)
* Escapes from standing, ground and unusual positions
* Easy to learn and retain "drills" to reinforce reaction timing

Haiku for Tsubaki Sensei

2009-12-19T20:11:00.000-08:00

First winter morning:
the mirror I stare into
shows my teacher's face.

Misogi Bells ring...
Black hakama and Dogi
winter is cold silence

Sitting at crossroads
far into winter
the path disappears.

Sitting

2009-07-06T03:38:00.001-07:00

Ching bell fades out.
The fragrant Jasmine remains.
A perfect morning!

Gradually sudden Enlightenment

2009-05-17T04:02:00.000-07:00

The Following is a Response from Shi Yong Xiang to the Question Of Sudden or Gradual Enlightenment as we Come from both Linji/Rinzai and Caodong/Soto lineages.

The debate about whether enlightenment is "sudden" or "gradual" that is made famous in traditional Chan/Zen is much like how our successors will view the "mind-body" debate of Western philosophy. In a few decades, the "mind-body" debate will be viewed as a matter of historical fact (of how Westerners "used to think" about the human experience) and it will not act as a source of actual philosophical confusion. "Mind-body" will be seen for what it is: a linguistic misrepresentation of human expression. We will in the near future collectively see "mind-body" (bodymind) as a biopsychosocial phenomenon that is irreducible, inseparable, and fully integrated rather than two distinct entities. In fact, progressive-minded heatlh professionals see the practice of medicine and healthcare one day soon expressing itself in a way that does not differentiate the treatment of the mind and the body (unlike how we treat it today, which is as two separate considerations). I anticipate the day greatly.

We should view the enlightenment issue this way now as a contemporary Buddhist Order. There is no longer a serious debate in modern Chan/Zen among serious teachers concerning the nature of enlightenment as sudden or gradual. The reason? We now understand the world differently than the Chan and Zen teachers of medieval China and Japan. While they are commended for their sophisticated view of reality as holistic and--mostly, but not always!--nondual, the fact is that contemporary Western philosophy is as holistic and nondual now as they were then. The reason we are at least as holistic today is simply because today we have much more information about the Universe--we don't just propose and believe that the Universe is interconnected--we can prove it to doubters. We can demonstrate how deeply interconnected (quantum physics) and how vastly interconnected (Einsteinian physics)--we know that even the most foreign of nations are comprised of people who are more similar to us than they are different, a fact that even the most holistic of Eastern civilizations did not understand during their time (China and Japan were extremely hostile towards non-Chinese and non-Japanese respectively). Today we do not just propose the world is global through philosophical reflection and personal insight, we can show it is global because we have touched the sky and the ocean floor, and can map how the price of tea in China really does affect the New York Stock Exchange! This is not a matter of being "better" than our ancestors, so don’t make that fallacy (as many will when you bring up these points to them). Our ancestors are valuable and we are valuable, each to our own unique place and time in the evolution of humanity. Today we continue learning about our Universe and touching its deepest corners because of the very ideas cultivated and promoted by global and holistic thinkers of our past, the pioneers of thought. In the future when mind-body is no longer debated but taken as “common sense,” those of us living today who work to make bodymind the preferred perspective act as the seeds of the future. We are growing the future of humanity today through our thoughts and actions.

Enlightenment is like all realities and is not unique as the Chinese thought during the time of Chan's development. There were some pressures during Buddhism’s assimilation process in China that influenced the development of this debate. The Indian philosopher-monk Nagarjuna had taught that the underlying nature of the Universe is impermanence (“doctrine of emptiness”). The Chinese saw Nagarjuna’s doctrine of emptiness as similar to how they understood the teachings of the Dao--something that interpenetrates all things, that is both the originator of all things and all things in-themselves. Now, add to this the idea that Buddhist authority is ultimately derived through the lineage of unbroken dharma masters extending back to the Buddha, and you have the seeds of the "gradual" vs "sudden" enlightenment debate. See, if enlightenment is gradual, then it means it does not exist at some point. But this de-mystifies the dharma teacher, including the Buddha. If we say that enlightenment is "sudden" then that means it is more of an "uncovering" of something that was already present in us. Some took the view that enlightenment must be cultivated over time and developed into its fullest expression, while others (the 6th Patriarch and the “Southern” school) took the view that enlightenment is naturally expressed in all things, we must simply uncover it. The reality, of course, is somewhere in the middle. It is not either/or, but BOTH. It is the same as causality, which is continuous (“this” cause transforms into “that” effect) and at the same time unique (the next “thing” is not the same as the previous “thing”). Enlightenment requires both a cultivation (gradual enlightenment) and an expression of a natural nature (sudden enlightenment). The lesson is language gets in the way, and we must be very careful about thinking we can express “truths”--we are not talking about truths at all. We are talking about the best way to talk about the experiences that we have, both individually and collectively.

*An Important NOTE about Nagarjuna: When I point out the weaknesses to the teachings of Nagarjuna, it is not to de-emphasize or undermine his importance in the history of Buddhism, but to point out his humanness. You must see and appreciate the critical contributions Nagarjuna made to Buddhist thought, but more importantly you must see and appreciate his purpose in the bigger Buddhist picture. Nagarjuna served to reorientate Buddhism to the teachings of impermanence, which were during his lifetime being washed over by a very analytical, rigid, and arguably “un-Buddhist” movement. Nagarjuna was trying to point Buddhists back towards the essential teaching of impermanence that expresses itself through all things. The Buddhist analytical tradition that arose after the death of the Buddha that Nagarjuna was opposing emphasized the “substantive” nature of all things, much like how the Greeks were trying to divide the world up into its smallest “parts.” Nagarjuna saw the danger of this: it looked like the teaching of “self,” or atman--the very teaching Siddhartha Gautama reacted against. While Nagarjuna succeeded in the short term, he also took his logic to its radical conclusion, which introduced some (ironically enough) “un-Buddhist” tendencies back into Buddhism, only from the other side of the radical spectrum. He said that all is impermanent, but made this teaching into an “ultimate” teaching rather than (as the Buddha insisted) a contingent teaching. Remember the Buddha denied the teaching of “ultimates” because human experience and human language is far too limited to get us there. Nagarjuna fell into the trap of thinking that human logic could uncover ultimate truths, and “intuitively” asserted the absolute existence of impermanence. Instead of just saying “all is impermanent” he essentially added “all really is impermanent” (“empty”). A minor point to some, but a major point in the history of Buddhist thought.

Nagarjuna is to be appreciated. But, I do want every monk who comes through OPB to avoid the mistake many overzealous Chan and Zen students and teachers have and continue to make (even in the West): over-appreciating Nagarjuna and his doctrine of emptiness. The danger of over-valuing something is that it opens the door to worship. Buddhists respect, but do not worship because nothing is fundamentally superior to anything else (like how monotheists worship God as superior to all other things). In Buddhism, like Daoism, there is existential equality--all things matter equally.

Mindfulness is the door to our Monastery.

2009-05-17T03:57:00.000-07:00

Mindfulness is the door to our Monastery. We practice mindfulness to realize that everything around us can be an element of our Monastic experience. Our temple, our monastery, our lives are in the here and now: this is important to live by example and also gives us a home to go to where ever we are. Mindfulness is not something out there, or a idea that is in abstract form but rather a concrete example to live and follow and explore each and every moment. There are no down times in life. When waiting in line be mindful, when tasting food be mindful, when angry be mindful of what made you angry. etc... Shaner Sensei has said" our lives are our Monastery", we are responsible for maintaining them . The good news is each moment is a new one and an opportunity to do better, to start fresh to begin anew.

What is the legacy of your example.

2009-05-17T03:47:00.000-07:00

I have thought about the nature of my commitments lately.
I look to my vows for guidance as well as my daily affirmation. I sit Daily ,I practice and Teach Aikido both of which require time. Loyalty is essential to any training regardless of style or affiliation. However it is on a personal level as much as is one’s character. If you practice for personal gain there your loyalty lies, and your development will suffer. We have all seen people come and go in training. Both Formal study in OPB and Aikido are training for life and it demands a certain commitment. This should obviously imply a sense of duty or obligation to one's teacher.

RAD Class In Febuary

2009-02-10T16:02:00.000-08:00

I will be teaching a Basic RAD Class at Parks and Recreation Department | City of Lawrence, KS

1141 Massachusetts, Lawrence, KS 66044

office (785) 832-7909 | fax (785) 832-7938 Call for pricing and availability.

Rape Aggression Defense (R.A.D.)

Participants will be provided realistic self-defense options design just for women, regardless of their level of physical conditioning. Learn techniques and information that can be effectively used from the first day of class. Learn how to develop a defensive mindset, understanding offensive and defensive postures, recognizing vulnerable locations. Each participant will receive a manual for reference and practice.

Who am I

2009-01-24T04:30:00.000-08:00

AS I am searching for an internal understanding of the divine nature with in.
I realize I am am Buddha Nature just as you are.
I believe in the divinity of my humanity which is the expression of the Buddha nature and I know all that is passes through myself.

Rather than a statement of the obvious, this certainty connects me with the pain of all beings, as I work to understand and relieve their suffering my suffering and illness decreases.

AS I bring true joy and peace to others I too am elevated. The easiest way to peace is to put others first, as i elevate my brother I can not help but elevate my self.

Tamura Sensei,

2008-11-29T03:43:00.000-08:00

Attachment

2008-11-29T02:44:00.001-08:00

I recently read a description of attachment as a person eating in a concentration camp, one hand brings food and needed nourishment , while the other protects it from their neighbor, waiting to take it from them the moment they lower their guard.
I worked in juvenile corrections, and I have seen many eat with one hand while the other arm is wrapped around the plate.

The thing we wanted does not cause happiness once attained but the opposite, only a brief flash of pleasure, followed by the anxiety of the fear of losing it.

Happiness is not the brief excitement of attachment, followed by the crash on the other side of attachment. what makes you happy or unhappy is not the people or the world around you, but the thinking in your head. Happiness is not easily defined kinda like describing light to some one who has always lived in the dark. You can't describe it but you can begin to understand it. Once you understand the nature of your unhappiness then it will begin to disappear..
Like realizing you are dreaming in a nightmare , the nightmare fades understand your attachments and they will vanish. The consequence is freedom. Happiness and freedom cant' be easily defined but their opposites can be observed and cause these things to vanish leaving the result. This is my Limited understanding and I am continuing to grow and develop while I work on facing my own attachments and killing them.

Place Of Peace

2008-09-06T16:54:00.000-07:00

RAD Class Starting in OCTOBER

2008-09-04T10:13:00.000-07:00

More Arts with Charles

2008-07-15T20:15:00.000-07:00

Center For Pragmatic Buddhism

2008-06-24T12:01:00.001-07:00

View my page on Center for Pragmatic Buddhism

Cut Once

2008-06-19T13:12:00.000-07:00

I use the Sword daily to help others. I cut once... If I have a problem I cut once... If I have something I wish to change I cut once... One problem one cut, then move on. Decide then take action

Yokomenuchi 5 arts

2008-06-17T05:20:00.000-07:00

Jou dori with bob

2008-06-15T17:24:00.000-07:00

Practice only has meaning if you do it.

2008-05-07T17:05:00.001-07:00

Tohei Sensei HAS GIVEN US ALL THE TOOLS TO SUCCEED. The four basic principles the Ki Sayings, Misogi, ki breathing and ki meditation combined with oneness rhythm exercise and regular Aikido practice are sufficient to make one a better person. The catch is you have to do it and you have to sit every day. Working on the internal arts is the key to good Aikido and being a good person off the mat. The discipline comes from the Martial arts aspects of our training. The other practice is done at home on the zafu or seiza bench. Once you calm your mind and begin to realize your own nature then you can begin to connect to others.
Ki training is awareness and mindfulness training; this requires discipline and consistent practice in order to see positive results.

Daily Training

2008-03-23T17:55:00.001-07:00

I have been reflecting on the benefits of daily practice, I recently
completed an intensive three day self defense training, 30 hours of
training in three days with practical demonstration and written exam.
The Discipline from my daily practice served me well and enabled me to
remain focused and helped me to achieve a positive result. I am now a
certified Rape Aggression and Defense trainer, and I am Going to
present this training as a community service. I had many challenges
and opportunities to examine, my skills as this training was
designed to take me to the breaking point, pushing me to limits both
physically and mentally.
The Training I have and the daily practice from OPB and Ki Aikido
allowed me to not only pass but I leaned much about myself, under fire
so to speak my calmness manifested itself more than I imagined it
would, and I now truly see a direct benefit of daily practice.
The real work is with in your own mind.
Training to connect with the living quality of each moment. Coming
back to right here right now with gentleness and precision. Connecting
deeply to others and realizing that separation is the illusion.
Training in not causing harm and maintaining an open and flexible
mind. These are very practical and lasting effects of serious training
and are not for the feeble minded or weak at heart. True training
requires discipline and honest self reflection, not only of what to
train but why to train.
I thought might share this as encouragement, what we do has helped me to be in a better position to
help others.

Ki Intervention L.L.C.

2008-03-12T21:07:00.001-07:00

My Name Is William Perkins, I am a husband and father of three. I have practiced Ki-Aikido
with mind-body coordination since 1995. I hold the rank of Nidan in Ki-Aikido and Shoden in Ki
development. I am a trained mediator specializing in Victim offender mediation and issues of
restorative justice and balance. I am a former Corrections Officer and I trained Correctional Officers in
crisis intervention and restraints, (both physical and mechanical) I am a Peaceful Intervention Trainer,
and an assistant instructor for the Kansas Ki Society. I Co-Founded Ki Intervention to teach practical
self defense and rape prevention training for women and girls as I have a wife and two daughters, this
is too important to leave to chance. I am also a formal student in the Order of Pragmatic Buddhists, as
a Martial artist and when a corrections officer I was often asked to teach practical self defense and
escape for co-workers and students. I found that most could do the movements in class but soon forgot
them or didn't practice the newly acquired skills. When I teach I like to find what someone is good at
and make them great, rather than average at everything. The R.A.D. program is designed to
use women's strengths based on what works for them. This is the best Basic Self Defense program designed specifically for women I have seen. I am excited to Begin teaching RAD In Lawrence I Just completed an Intensive Instructors Certification Program. R.A.D. is the only Program sanctioned by the International Campus Law Enforcement Administrator's Association. ICLEA.
R.A.D. is the strongest self-defense network in the country. The course meets or
exceeds all guidelines for choosing a self-defense program prepared by the National Coalition Against Sexual Assault
(NCASA). Programs are taught at over 450 university police departments, municipal police and sheriff departments,
local transit companies, military bases, and independents across the U.S. and Canada. At this time there are nearly
5000 instructors certified internationally.

Changing habits

2008-03-09T19:57:00.000-07:00

When we train to break habitual patterns of our physical arts we can break the blockages in our minds. As we work with habits and prejudices and stop struggling against ourselves we can begin to work with uke's in a new way. Moving from a place of compassion and wisdom. As we begin to think in these terms and our motivations shift to our bigger self and or intent is to free others from suffering and the root causes of suffering. We can not help but to transform our small self as well. I have stated before that Tohei Sensei has given us all the tools necessary, Essentially this thing Called Ki-Aikido has the ability to allow one to realize their potential and develop deeply connected relationships with themselves and others. The movement from gross physical movements to the refined internal aspect of connection, then maintaining this connection over time and distance, is a way of training on a deep deep personal level, one only has to let go of the assumptions, that this is a Martial Art and I have to Throw you with this or that technique. The Irony is the arts themselves work better when we give up these assumptions too. What is necessary to throw you or to move my self to the next level of consciousness is the same. The answer is always there nothing to acquire, ki is always extending and getting out of your own way is the essential training.

Taigi

2008-03-02T18:38:00.001-08:00

I have been thinking about Taigi. What is Taigi, how is it different. Basically it is a series of arts combined together within a time frame combined with the proper rhythm and timing.
To me preforming Taigi requires that you know the arts but this is not enough; you must make a deep connection with uke and extend this connection through out the Taigi. From bow to bow as is often said. So how does one do this? I think in the beginning you learn to move uke's center to effect their balance, then as you progress you move from your center or one point to affect uke and begin to lead uke. Then at a more advanced level you begin to move from our center(nage/\uke), realizing the connection with no separation between nage and uke. From the observers vantage point it is difficult to tell who is throwing who. Nage and uke move together in fluid motion . Shaner Sensei uses the image of Nage and uke are a single animal with 4 legs. Move from the center of this new animal you have created with uke.

2008-03-02T13:12:00.000-08:00

FOUR BASIC PRINCIPLES

(Shinshin Toitsu no Yondai Gensoku)

To realize the (original) unity of mind and body (bodymind).

1. Keep One Point - Principle of the mind

Seika no iten ni kokoro o shizumei toitsu suru.

Calmly realize (your) mind at the one point in (your) lower abdomen.

2. Relax Completely - Principle of the body

Zenshin no chikara o kanzen ni nuku.

Completely release (i.e. throw away) all tension from the entire body/mind and emotion.

3. Keep Weight Underside - Principle of the body

Karada no subete no bubun no omome o sono saikabu ni oku.

Let the weight of every part of the body settle at its lowest point.

4. Extend Ki - Principle of the mind

Ki o dasu.

Ki Extends

Change your attitude but remain natural

2008-03-02T12:18:00.000-08:00

As long as we think you are attacking and now I am going to throw you then we are stuck. This is the same as saying I am going to help you because you need help. This is dualistic and implies one has it and one dose not. This is not compassion or connection to uke other than on a temporary basis, fundamentally nothing has changed. The concept ofIntoku is doing good in secret with out the notion of praise or reward. This applies to Aikido arts as well. Wanting to throw somebody is working against rather than with someone. THIS IS REALLY ABOUT WORKING WITH YOUR OWN UNDESIRABLE SELF this is how one can truely grow and develop thru Ki-Aikido. we can give up the clinging desire of what it is really going to be like when I throw someone, this is a trap....
if I change this, if I breathe more, if I could only have a bigger mind, etc...
these are all attachments that keep us in a cycle of looking out there for the answers. Keeping us from realizing there is enough ,right here ,right now.

Don't Talk about injured Limbs

2008-02-28T16:34:00.000-08:00

I have thought about this a lot lately and I think I finally know what this means .
This means don't talk about other peoples weakness or problems. There is a kind of security we get from discussing others defects. The issue here is taking responsibility for your actions. Know that we are responsible for every action and relationship we encounter. The under lying issue is not attacking our selves realizing that we are smart enough, whole enough thin enough etc... if we can make a deep connection to our selves then we can connect with others. Otherwise instead of working with, we are continuing to struggle against ourselves and others. Realize there is nothing to aspire to. We begin to realize that separation is an illusion ,and that conflict is not between us and them, but always us against us. Think about how much pain we create by clinging to the illusion of separation, and the perpetuation of a culture of Violence. Now imagine how you can change this, how you can affect the collective consciousness and the realization of humanity?

Equanimity

2008-01-26T20:43:00.001-08:00

Equanimity is bigger than our usual small ego driven perspective. Our chase and hope of what we want and our clinging fear of losing what we have, is the basis of our habitual pattern of existence. There are eight variations of this in Buddhist teaching, Hope and fear, pleasure and pain, praise and blame, gain and loss, fame and disgrace. As long as we cling to one of these extremes the potential of the others is there continuing to be caught in this cycle of attraction and aversion. This is the same as dividing the world into for and against. Us vs Them etc... we can't retreat and just work on our self, we need to function in the world and work towards making it better for all beings, our training needs to develop as a benefit. Practicing compassion and abiding in Equanimity evolving past the little me who seeks only to help themselves and move towards unconditional commitment to ourselves and others. I think this is what Tohei sensei was talking about in Setsudo teaching the way of the universe is the ultimate purpose of my study.

New Beginings Revisited

2008-01-25T05:34:00.000-08:00

On Sat we are meeting to continue what started back in December. A meeting to consider among other things a vision and mission statement. In order to do this a survey was sent out, I was surprised at my answer to the first question. You may be too.
If I were designing my ideal class at the dojo (for me to attend, not teach) I would prioritize these class components from 1 to 8 as follows… (1 is most important)
component example
___8_ Social interaction (making friends, attending functions)
____3 Aikido technique (learning and polishing techniques, rolling, etc.)
____1 Ki development (Ki meditation and breathing, oneness, ki healing, etc.)
____5 Practical self defense (Making sure you could use techniques on the street.)
____7 Exercise and fitness (Active, rigorous classes, flexibility, etc.)
____6Japanese culture (Maintaining a traditional dojo atmosphere, etc.)
2
____ Weapons (Jo 1, Bokken 45)
____4 Philosophical inquiry (Ki sayings, The Art of Peace, discussion of principles)

I would categorize some differtenly as I see my answer for #1 and #4 are closely related and #6 is required to accomplish these, #1,#3 and #5 are also interdependent. I found #7 to be some what misleading as I am for rigorus classes and flexibility, I don't think this is exercise for exercise sake. Also what is Ideal in an individual class does not translated to the Dojo as a whole, as needs with in classes change based upon the participants needs and abilities.

Thinking Bigger

2008-01-12T04:00:00.000-08:00

A simple practice that has profound effects. This is something we hear all the time, move bigger, expand your ki... etc

How to change our usual perspective and to get away from our habit of thinking of for and against. When ever we feel pain stop breathe in, breathe it in and realize that others also feel pain in this way. When we connect to the universe in this way we can let go with out judging or allowing it to rise to the level of aggression. When we feel pleasure enjoy it. No need to be guilty, simply enjoy it and wish that others could also enjoy this same simple pleasure. Like the first sip of tea in the morning , you know, the cream is frothed ( I have become particularly found of green tea lattes) just right, you can feel it beginning to warm you as it goes down, the sun is coming up and the birds are singing, aaaaahhhh wouldn't it be great if every one could slow down and enjoy this moment. This right now , this is a way of practicing being connected, and gratitude. Which of course leads to compassion and a deeper connection.

Kakizome

2008-01-06T13:21:00.000-08:00

This morning we had our kakizome session at the dojo. I enjoyed this very much, and I had a sample of how technical and how much thought goes into each stroke. Sensei reminded me that when i started Aikido i couldn't throw somebody with just one movement....brush work is the same. one has to follow particular patterns and rhythm, breathing and Ki extension are all things to consider when making a stroke on the paper.

I was humbled and inspired at the same time. I hope to pursue more Shodo in the future.

Pragmatic Aikido

2007-12-30T18:38:00.000-08:00

I have heard a lot of talk about is Aikido practical. Would you use it in a fight, etc... what is a pragmatic approach to training. I ask,

what is more pragmatic than waking up. Leaving behind your preconceived notions of reality and strength. Realizing there is nothing to attain but many things to get rid of... like habits of posture, negative thoughts, competitive and aggressive tendencies, the notions of fighting and winning. The real work is with in your own mind.

Training to connect with the living quality of each moment. Coming back to right here right now with gentleness and precision. Connecting deeply to others and realizing that separation is the illusion. Training in not causing harm and maintaining an open and flexible mind. These are very practical and lasting effects of serious training and are not for the feeble minded or weak at heart. True training requires discipline and honest self reflection, not only of what to train but why to train.

Tohei Sensei stated in Aikido the coordination of mind and body for self defence. " They think Aikido is a highly developed defensive art. This is a superficial view. Aikido is not merely an art to throw others, but a way to apply the laws of Nature to our daily lives. One who does not understand this does not truely understand Aikido." By the way Tohei Sensei said this in 1961 and O'sensei was the editor. Pre Ki-Aikido When he was the Chief Instructor at Aikido Headquarters.

What is the purpose of my study?

2007-12-29T04:24:00.000-08:00

Recently I was asked to assess what three things about Ki-Aikido, and the Kansas Ki Society, what I like or want?

What is it about Aikido that I continue to want. Why Do I do this thing that takes so long to master? Takes me away from my family, and consumes so much of my time? My reply was something like " deeper connection to self and others through Arts, Advanced weapons work, as well as practical and pragmatic applications of arts and Ki"

I have thought about this and I believe, Tohei Sensei has given us all the tools we need in Ki-Aikido. Essentially this thing Called Ki-Aikido has the ability to allow one to realize their potential and develop deeply connected relationships with themselves and others. The movement from gross physical movements to the refined internal aspect of connection, then maintaining this connection over time and distance, is a way of training on a deep deep personal level, one only has to let go of the assumptions, that this is a Martial Art and I have to Throw you with this or that technique.

Continuing to struggle against someone because you must make a particular technique work. Is Kinda like bringing a knife to a gunfight. Not Smart and its gonna hurt.

KI WO KUBARU

2007-12-23T03:54:00.000-08:00

"Ki wo Kubaru" IS OFTEN TRANSLATED AS TO PASS OUT KI or to give ki. Another way to say it is to be attentive to other peoples wishes or needs. This seems to apply well to Aikido and to life.

Uke's tell you what they want and where they wish to go. We just need to listen and get out of the way. Funny how everything keeps coming back to the other person and not fighting, dissenting, arguing etc... I thought this was a martial art after all. If I want to throw somebody I have to bend them to my will, if my Ki is strong I can make them do what I want and complete the throw,etc..... if the throw doesn't work I must be doing something wrong, or it is impractical, a teaching tool not a real art for throwing people. Man, did I really believe this, I had to learn this lesson over and over again.

Putting myself in the other persons place is to change my point of view, not a physical struggle to change geographic location on the small piece of tatami I am determined to defend.

Kaisho on Friday

2007-12-22T19:50:00.000-08:00

Mike had an excellent class on Friday. He Started with discussion on Non-dissension, and then we practiced holding kaisho way and worked on removing the bump or changing direction. essentially not moving from where you are held or conflicting with uke. This reminded me of another thing Stated by Tohei Sensei,"selfish men have never understood the way of the universe". This is about connection, the illusion of separateness leads to selfishness and is one of the causes of suffering, the realization that we are one is selflessness and leads to compassion and universal well being. Essentially not conflicting with uke. There is not us and them, only us and us. To lead others on this path is not about throwing or pinning it is about waking up. Ki-Aikido is a path to the realization of your infinite possibility to create and to realize connections and to see yourself as you. Which of course is me too....

The Subsconscious

2007-12-19T04:10:00.000-08:00

After morning meditation I was thinking about the Subconscious mind being the store house of knowledge as Tohei states in the ki saying. It occurred to be that alliances shift and impressions of people may change over time, but the seeds of negative thought, hatred and bigotry last a very, very long time. These thoughts continue to feed our anger and resentment, hardening our hearts and minds long after there is any reason to. Essentially we are perfecting closing our minds instead of opening them.

Non-Dissenision

2007-12-17T14:56:00.000-08:00

Non-Dissension does not mean to hold everything in and locking up every thing said and done to you in your heart, safe and secure in not fighting back. This is not non dissension this is endurance. Tohei Sensei talks about this in Aikido in Daily Life.

"though you say nothing with your lips your feelings may be seething inside you. This too is a sort of battle"...

"Non-Dissension requires a strong spirit and Ki which is radiating back to the Universe, you don't harbor ill feelings you accept them just as the sea accepts the tributary streams, maintain a wave less calm in our own hearts."

Making a deep connection to others requires us to let go of our self, our ego and bruised feelings... the best way to this place is to breathe. Daily mindful breathing practice will enable us to connect to ourselves and then to others.. This reminds me of a conversation on monism I heard from Shaner Sensei. Monism is the belief that the universe is one and all beings are connected and interconnected. we are not Islands unto ourselves, as we become connected we arrive at compassion. From breathing follows the realization of interconnection, this leads to compassion , "once you realize this you are responsible for your actions and the role you play in all relationships and must cultivate more compassion, acceptance, love, understanding etc..."serious personal development requires serious commitment and time. We are a work in progress and never really arrive but continue to improve ourselves, and the circumstance of those around us.

Take it to Heart

2007-12-16T09:29:00.000-08:00

It occurred to me after my sitting that Ki-Aikido should be taken to heart, not just used as a way to justify our habitual patterns of self degradation or habitual patterns of striving for perfection. If we use Aikido as we use everything else then we might not be realizing the potential in front of us. In fact we may be using it to denigrate ourselves or to become a perfectionist, which is the opposite of making the world into light or love but rather making it a dark, harsh and resentful place. You need to feel your arts as you feel the connection between you and your uke. Technical proficiency is good but it is less than half of what is required.

Commitment, Responsibility, and Trust

2007-12-16T06:01:00.000-08:00

Yesterday,

during the brainstorming session at the Dojo, Mike added three words to the board Commitment, responsibility and trust. This reminded me of a lecture I attended at the American Chan Buddhist Center in St. Louis.

Dr.David Shaner was the speaker and the Topic was on Buddhism and engaged monasticism, In other words making every day life your monastery. We are all connected, and the cause of suffering is ego, we live in an illusion of separateness. This is craving, covententness and dogmatic desire, the opposite or being empty of separate self is selflessness and this enables connection. We need to adopt multiple viewing places--give up attachment to one view places. selflessness is the ability to to adopt others point of view and position. If I don't see you as separate I see you as me, to Judge, criticize, and blame come from separate self. Ego is a mental construct due to the craving for permanence. Once you realize that we are all connected, and that karmic disposition is created now!!! You are responsible for you actions, both conscious and unconscious thoughts, and the role you play in every interaction and relationship. There is no other to blame, if I harm you I am truly harming myself. This is the nature of my study and the reason for making a deeper connection to my self and others. To me this is the very nature of Ki- Aikido.

New Beginings

2007-12-15T20:04:00.000-08:00

Today we had on organizational meeting at the Dojo, trying to estasblish a new order. The first step seems to be to write a mission statement. This is easier said than done;as it must be inclusive but not restrictive. Everyone seems to have strong opinions as to what this is but no one can quite articulate it. We agreed to do a survey of members and to reconviene in a month to write or at least start writing the Mission Statement. Over all the meeting was good and I think new energy is begining to build.