The long haul

"The mind takes perseverance
as something extremely bitter."
~ Sri Chimnoy

Lately, I talked with some of my students about dealing with issues arising in their practice, and in their lives. I listened to stories that revealed their difficulties and challenges. I asked them about their actions and their solutions, if they had any. I showed interest in how they were dealing with the situations. It seems to me that the worst enemy we have is our own mind. It provides us with the doubt that we will never get to the other side. It also makes up excuses as for how we can't, and won't, and shouldn't.

These students often miss classes, or decide to take a break from their practice. I see them struggle within - most of them like Aikido very much, yet many things just get in the way. I would like to explain here about the proper way of non attendance and leave:
The Dojo is not a gym. There should be a relationship between students and their teacher. The traditional conduct will be to inform the teacher when you are not going to show up to classes that you usually attend. In cases you didn't inform your teacher, it is proper to apologize the next time coming to the Dojo. When a student doesn't show up for a while, the teacher usually does not contact the student, in order not to embarrass or to put any pressure. Students who decide to take a leave of absence or to quit, should let the teacher know of their intention. I assure you, that even when a teacher is not happy with this type of announcement, he or she will accept and respect the student's will.

On the other hand, we have to remember that perseverance is our best bet to achieve a long term feeling of wholeness, accomplishment and contentment. It is also a sure path to acquiring a skill. Franklin D. Roosevelt said: " When you come to the end of your rope, tie a knot and hang on." The big things are not what we stumble on - it is the little stuff. The aches and pains, inconveniences, single encounters that didn't go according to our plan, have the power to activate in our mind a sweet persuasion, saying "quit", "stop", "take a break", "it isn't worth it", "you can't do it", and "maybe later". The mind's ways are slick and smooth. We tend to believe what our mind tells us, after all - it is the voice of logic...

When we feel we reached this point, we should ask ourselves: what is our heart's true conviction. When that is clear, we can then see the outside conditions that influenced us or pushed us away from it. Keeping our vision clear, will help us persevere, in spite of our mind's advice. A deep look inside, and listening to our heart - clears the path, no matter if the weather is stormy, the fog is thick, and our feet are bruised.

A teacher's heart should be open to the students. The Kanji in the word "Sensei" (先生) literally means: "life" and "future" or "one who is ahead". Having been on the path longer - means they have had more opportunities to test their perseverance. Knowing the Way is deep and long, the teacher has compassion for the students and willingness to help - so we can all continue learning together, going for "the long haul".

The message on the cup

There are messages and reminders for all around us, although we are not always aware of them at all. Often the message is right before our eyes, for a really log time, and yet it is not revealed to us. A few days ago, I experienced a sweet discovery about the messages that are printed on our Dojo's drinking cups. We have had over a dozen of these cups in daily use for over two years. Not reading Japanese, the writing on the cups was merely a decorative element.

Makiko, a friend who came to visit me, looked at one of the cups, and said: "I've been looking for this writing for quite some time...". She said that on those cups, there is a very good information, and she started translating it.

The first cup talks about "The Five Heart Convictions to Have Daily":
A heart of Gratitude, that says "Thank you".
A heart of Repentance and self-reflection, that says "I'm sorry".
A heart of Humility, that says "I am able to do this because of you".
A heart of Service, that says "I will do this".
A heart of Pure Acceptance, that says "Yes".


The text on the second cup is about "Ten Things to Keep in mind for a Healthy Life":
1. Eat raw vegetables rather than meat.
2. Avoid sweets and eat more fruit.
3. Cut on salt and use vinegar.
4. Eat smaller meals, and fill yourself no more than 80%.
5. Less talk and more work.
6. Have some leisure time, like going to picnics, or singing out loud.
7. Don't bundle up too much, and have more exercise.
8. Walk more, and rely less on your car.
9. Don't worry and dwell on things, and have good sleep.
10. Where there is a nice smile, there is a fortune.

Great reminders for daily practice, especially as we break our thirst after a strong training.

Walking the path with patience

It may be easy to start things - but harder to continue, to maintain and evolve. Walking the path provides endless opportunities to bump into obstacles, and to be challenged with difficulties. Many times we get tired, lack the energy and excitement we had in the beginning, and tackle injuries. Soon enough we understand that these elements, that seem to slow us down and interrupt our rhythm, are an integral part of our practice. With time we will clearly see that these obstacles, difficulties and injuries are our best opportunities for self study and evolution. Yet, during the beginning we tend to see them as a negative affect.

We may hear a voice deep down inside of us begging us to take a break during a class, or telling us to just quit. Many doubts rise to the surface, "is this an effective martial art? am I improving at all? when will I stop injuring myself?" and yet, the answers do not echo back, and we find ourselves dealing with the unknown, and just experiencing the "here-now".
Searching outside of ourselves, in order to find the stuff that feeds us and generate the power to continue, doesn't usually bring the results we look for. It is the recognition that we still have more to learn, as well as the need and hunger for the study, that will give us the energy to continue, to face our "walls".

The "walls" we encounter may be ignored, avoided, or gone around. We often choose to pretend we don't see our weakness, choose not to practice with someone who challenge us, or just stop practicing for a while. "It is all just too hard..."
We can choose meet the challenge, experience it, and overcome it. Yes, it is may take a while, be somewhat painful, uncomfortable or confusing to do so. After having climbed that "wall" we find out it was really a "step" we just arrived at the top of. Then, with this broader view, we can continue on, until we encounter a new opportunity.

Pain, difficulties and fatigue are not separate from joy, learning and health - these are all elements we encounter in life, in our practice. Accepting these as integral parts of the Way, and using everything as a lesson, supports us and empowers us to continue. Keep facing the "mirrors" and working through the challenges. As the path will go deeper and deeper — "Gaman Shinasai", Be Patient.

Starting the journey inwards

The journey inwards usually starts with an awakening. Sometimes we yearn for something that cannot be described in words, and at times we have clear goals, and can envision the benefits and even the feelings we will have by starting something new in our lives. Sometimes we awaken by meeting an inspiring person, by hearing an incredible sentence, or by visiting a special place, or when we encounter a life-changing event. The process may take a split of a second or a lifetime. Many are the paths, moving in their own pace and timing for every single person, into the internal landscapes.

What will we find in our journey? will there be mountains of beliefs and thoughts, or will we walk the plateaus of doubts and opinions, which we collected throughout the years? Or will we hit tall cliffs of fears and worries, or see our streams of dreams and rivers of yearnings? We might arrive some quiet corners, in which we will feel "connected" - connected to the endless web, where we are all tied together, with Karma wires and cosmic strings. The way is quiet, bright and secure. One may use a variety of navigation tools, yet with the use surrender and intuition one will securely travel the path.

When Aikido students start their practice, they may feel that there is an "added value", and even if one does not have an understanding of what is it exactly, it is very much felt. This is what many call "the mirror effect". We may feel it when practicing in an Aikido class, and being in an Aikido Dojo; created by the inevitable interactions between the students, teacher-student relationship, and within the space, on and off the mat.

Some students take the challenges of the first few months, consisting of "not knowing" and confusion, as an opportunity for self exploration and discovery. Some students just can't take it and will eventually leave. The will to learn something new requires surrender and trust in the process. I remember one student who, after finishing her fourth class, came to speak with me. She was saying that Aikido classes led her to believe she was dyslectic, and therefore she will never will be able to learn Aikido. This was quite a harsh judgment, especially after participating in only a few classes. Most people though find it intriguing, and enjoy the new challenges and the beginning of their self study.

More on "how to continue" on my next post...

Welcome

Welcome to our blog...
It's been quite a journey, since we opened the Dojo in October 2005.

Meeting many new people and learning so many new things.

This is going to be a new way to communicate with our members and friends all around the world.

I hope to have a lively interaction by opening another avenue of study and exploration for all of us.

Feel free to post your comments...