How I Quit my Job to go to Japan

Hi Everyone!

I have some happy news to share with you. I have been planning for a long time to go to Japan to study more in depth about budo. For a long time it seemed like a wild dream, but when I have made the final decision to pursue my goal and talked to the right people, things started working out. Everyone has been really helpful around me. Old teachers whom I have not talked to for more then 5 years helped me with recommendation letters. Even my boss at work wrote a nice recommendation letter so I can apply for a scholarship. So I got accepted to Tsukuba University and will study about budo and practice aikido there. I am really happy right now, and hope that things will continue to work out just right. I have about one more week at my workplace and then I am free to prepare for the trip. Will be flying to Japan in mid September. Stay tuned for more awesome stories! I will keep active on my blog and share my experiences.

The Warrior's Path - Course End Conclusions

Beauty and Aikido ©

When I started the course, I wanted to do a post every week about the topics discussed. In the end the material was so dense that I decided not to do that. However I have learned a lot and have assimilated a lot of information of which you will see future posts. This post is to thank all three remarkable teachers that helped us understand budo better. Szabó Balázs did a great job in talking about the history of aikido, going into great detail. Szemerey Márton approached the topic from a linguistic point of view and helped us understand some of the core martial arts concepts and technique names. Last but not least, Abe Tetsushi Sensei highlighted some of the most important budo terms and tried to convey to us some of the Japanese spirituality. All three presenters are really charismatic and great in the topics they presented. I really hope there will be a second part of this course. Now I am sitting down to finish up my paper which will be the evaluation of what I have learned on this course.

The Voice of Aikido- The Hakama and Its Meaning

The hakama then and now.
From colorful hakamas worn by everyone in the dojo to the status symbol for yudansha into which it has degenerated.
Listen to the voice recording to learn more about this and to find out the meaning of the seven pleats of the hakama.

The Voice of Aikido- The Meaning of Study

Another voice recording this time Chapter 15 from The Principles of Aikido by Mitsugi Saotome (1989 p.197-199)

Saotome Sensei's Approach to Budo and the Dojo

This chapter describes Budo as a study applied to the whole self being a lifetime study. The skills that you learn in aikido can be applied in your everyday endeavors.

We are introduced to the importance of the dojo as a microcosm. In Saotome Sensei's view it is a place where you feel well, meet a lot of different people and make friends. It is a place where you enrich yourself as a person through building new relationships.

The Parable of the Old Man

The voice recording also includes a story of the man over 70 who decides he would like to take up aikido. O'Sensei does not for a moment hesitate in inviting him to start practicing aikido. It is never too late to open up for new things! Never be mislead by the rigidity of the limits imposed by your own mind!

Ikkyo

One moment and one movement can be decisive. You cannot hesitate and waste time because there is no second chance. Each encounter should be seen as a one time event through which your own self can be sharpened.

Your Teacher

You should see him as a guide, not a guru. He can help you and offer suggestions. He is a person you should respect and not idealize. This is most important to be kept in mind because he also has his flaws and virtues. He cannot be a perfect master. You should take what is of value from him and improve it. Improving and bettering your self is the greatest tribute you can pay him.

Remember that you are part of the Universe. To ruin your life or to waste it is to ruin a piece of the Universe. (M. Saotome)