Honorable
Aikido Behavior
I may have mentioned previously about a visiting
Aikidoist that had berated other members of the dojo and placed himself as being best in
Aikido. He prides himself as being able to make a living in Europe as an Aikido
instructor.
On his visit, I gave him a ride to do some
shopping. During a conversation, he asked what I felt about "his Aikido". I
shrugged my shoulders and asked him "What do you mean?". He reiterated
asking my opinion of his Aikido: if it was good, if it was bad, or excellent. I told him "It's
okay ...." and I did allow myself to show him that I felt his Aikido was nothing
bad or excellent, but just okay. I thought it was a foolish question to ask in the first
place. No mature and self-respecting Aikidoist would ask the question begging to hear
words of praise to bolster the ego. It wouldn't even need to be asked. He appeared to be
miffed and disappointed at my answer. I kept driving. He asked me further that if he came
to America to live (he is European), what would I think if he slept with all the women in
the dojo. This was an odd question to ask of me. I thought to myself "What did he
want?", "What kind of answer was he expecting to hear?". I looked at
him and asked him to explain. He was frustrated with me. He then asked me what would I
think if we (the both of us) were to sleep together and he would sleep with all the other
women in the dojo--- what would I think of him. I told him straight-faced that first ---
we would never sleep together and that " ... I would think you are a jerk".
He quickly added "... but what if my Aikido was okay --- the best? What would you
think?" I repeated again very straight-faced " I would think you are a
jerk." He appeared desperate --- "But my Aikido is good --- it is the
best", "Even if I do all those things, you still think the same way ... even
when my Aikido is the best?". I took my eyes off the road for a moment and said "yes".
I said to him "You are personally what you do in everyday life ...", in
regards to Aikido " ... it really doesn't matter if you believe you are "good in
Aikido" just because you think you look good ...", " Your personal life and
what you do in your profession (Aikido) is what you are ...", "It is the Aiki
of Aikido", "you can't separate both to justify one and excuse the
other." By this time, he was very much disgusted at our conversation. I think
perhaps I didn't make myself clear, he didn't hear what he wanted to hear, or maybe he
really didn't get it.
As I look back at this encounter, I believe I
was surprised that I had spoken out so aggressively at him. I wasn't aware that I was
giving this visiting Aikidoist a lecture, on something he probably should have known
already. A mature martial artist would not have been so conceited and so insecure. My
friend excused this visitor's attitude and called it "competitiveness", out of
wanting to be a good Aikidoist. I disagreed and called it "lacking of a good
attitude", attributed to no self-discipline and no desire to correct his character. I
added " ... he wants to look good in Aikido, but ... is not a good Aikidoist in
the purest sense." "He knows and possesses no humility ... he took
the lazy way out ...", " ... it is difficult to face yourself and make yourself
humble...", "... and too easy to fix the outward appearance." You
know, I really didn't realize it till a month after my conversation, that I was telling my
friend what my late instructor, Isao Takahashi used to lecture me about. It is odd, but
nice to know that even though he has been dead for over 20 years now --- the things he
taught me then ... really live on today.
I am definitely not claiming to be the most
knowledgeable of Aikido and I am certainly not good enough to claim to be as proficient
enough to ever be as good as Morihei Ueshiba and his original deshi, but I certainly
realize that it is not honorable to separate personal and professional traits, out of
convenience. Having long conversations with my late instructor Isao Takahashi I remember
that he was very adamant about making his students see the Bushido and the aiki of
Aikido, and --- taking personal responsibility for those things that you do
professionally, or as an Aikidoist --- is a personal matter, as you do it personally and
it affects yourself as well as others personally.
We should always strive for the perfection of
ourselves in character and in our martial art in totality. These aspects should be in
harmony with one another so we can flourish as Aikidoists and be fulfilled individuals.
These pages are created as a meaningful perception on Budo
and Bushido, and are always being worked on. These literary works are meant for purposeful
discussions, with the intent of stimulating conversation and thought. I am not the
foremost authority on these subjects, but am an Aikidoist who is expressing thoughts on
Aikido, sharing and documenting experiences. Thank you.
Literary materials and pictures are
copyrighted by their respected authors and owners. Permission in writing must be made for
any duplication, display, or reprint.
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