Abstract:
Aikido is a martial art whose predominant philosophy is focusing on the center of oneself and how this relates to the universe outside of ourselves. It also focuses on conflict resolution and how to protect one’s opponent as well as oneself. This certainly applies to social psychology and how we apply the teachings of aikido in the world we live in.
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The interaction that the author of this paper is primarily involved with on a daily basis is that of his internal existence in relation to that of the external universe. If there was to be one point in his life that triggered his awareness of this relationship, it would be his venture into the study of aikido and its subsequent teachings. The secret of aikido is to make yourself become one with the universe and to go along with its natural movements. One who has attained this secret holds the universe in himself and can say, “I am the universe.” (Ueshiba) Ueshiba and Kisshomaru state that “the word “universe” is usually thought of as some overwhelmingly grand concept, but in actuality it is very concrete and centered within one’s own body.”(2002) With this training, the author strives to understand the principles of ki through actual experience and employ various techniques to make those principles part of our everyday consciousness.
A very important aspect of the author’s training with regards to self and the universe is the idea of circular motion. Every circle has a center, and it is this center that is the focal point of existence. Circular movements allow us to avoid collision with an opposing force, and facilitate harmonization. In order to create a true circle, there must be a firm center. An example of this concept is that of a spinning top. A top revolves around a stable center, yet hardly appears to move at all. If you touch the top slightly however, it will immediately fly off with a burst of centrifugal force, and its latent power becomes evident. The concept of the top is a perfect example of stillness within movement or sumikiri.
One very effective method of keeping the author’s center, he has found is breathing from the seika tanden. The seika tanden is the psychophysical point about two inches below the navel. The author has found that it is essential to remind himself that the ki that
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animates his own body is the same ki that animates the entire universe. As a result, all of the circular movements of aikido are never contrary to principles of nature. Control the breath and unite the self with the natural rhythm of the universe.
The earth was born from the universe and those who flourish in that life-giving environment can directly become one with nature. They never oppose natural law, and never try to control things through force. Such people manifest a natural matter-of-fact equanimity. Such an attitude, based on deep experience, can be a great plus in a variety of social settings. If the author trains in a natural and fulfilling manner, with equanimity and a solid center, a tremendous amount of ki energy will be generated.
This will be of great benefit to oneself and society. To achieve this state of being is a much greater accomplishment and of greater value than attaining victory in some contest.
With aikido human beings at large can transcend the distinction between mind and body and relate this to the remainder of the universe. Ki power that emerges naturally and directly enables human beings to experience the joy, power, freedom and flexibility of existence on a daily basis. Living vibrantly with true vigor, we can meet any challenge and accommodate ourselves to any contingency. The practice of aikido can make this all possible and this emphasis on harmonization and accommodation accounts for its followers around the world.
On a personal note, the author has seen many transformations in the dojo with students who did not have balance or a strong center, and go on to become incredible men and women as a result of their training in aikido. When training with a partner, the ki of both (or in some cases multiple opponents) is transferred and the individual with the greater ki
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and pure emptiness will be able to subdue, while at the same time protecting both the opponent and himself simultaneously. The writer mentions this because in the dojo training follows certain rules. On the street however, anything can happen, making it difficult for us to retain our equanimity. It is rather easy to maintain equanimity in ideal circumstances, such as a classroom, dojo or any other protected and sheltered environment; one of the goals of aikido is to teach us how to maintain this equanimity regardless of a given situation no matter how harrowing or difficult.
This is perhaps where the study aikido best applies to the realities of the external existence of humankind. In addition to the training of aikido, meditation is perhaps one of the most significant pathways that the author has found in bringing peace to himself and the rest of society at large. Research has shown that Western awareness of this phenomena has only occurred in the past 35 years or so; since then however, there have been great strides in knowing more. As far as self-efficacy is concerned with relation my the writer’s practice in aikido, he has reached a point in his life where visualization has been mastered, and because of this visualization, his self-efficacy has been focused and accurate every time a production of any sort arises. The visualization may be seconds in response to an initial occurrence such as a mugger threatening his life (which has occurred), or it may be strategically modeled as in a chess match (relate the chess match to life situations). On any note, the author’s self-efficacy is well intact.
References
Orme-Johnson, D.W.& Haynes, C.T.(1981). EEG phase coherence, pure consciousness, creativity and TM-Sidhi experiences. International Journal of Neuroscience, 13, 211-217.
Ueshiba, K. & Ueshiba, M. (2002). Kihan Aikido: Kihon-hen. New York: Kodansha.
