Being clean

Every few months we have a Dojo clean up. We then get to tidy up and fix stuff that does not get done during our daily clean up routine. Yesterday, again, we gathered to create a practice space that is clear, bright and uncluttered.
Being clean starts with ourselves and applies to our living space and our environment, our work and our relationships.

The dojo presents an opportunity to teach us about being clean. We first have to keep our bodies clean, and especially our feet. We wear a clean Gi (uniform), keep our fingernails and toenails trimmed short, and make sure our body is free of offensive odors. Some students choose to brush their teeth before class, and some take a shower, especially if they sweat a lot during their workday.

The same attitude is translated to caring for the Dojo; we pick up after ourselves, take a second look before leaving the restrooms, washing our drinking cups, and making sure we are training on a clean mat. We train to have awareness and pay attention.

Our thoughts need to be pure, as well, to allow a clear practice. Our thoughts manifest into our actions, attitudes and behavior patters. There is this great quote that teaches us about this:
“Watch your thoughts, for they become words.
Watch your words, for they become actions.
Watch your actions, for they become habits.
Watch your habits, for they become character.
Watch your character, for it becomes your destiny.”

Cleaning is the action of reducing; less clutter, less mess, less dirt, less stuff. As in Aikido, it is not a one-time deal, it is an ongoing process, a life practice. We get a chance doing this work without negative thoughts or feelings; without bitterness, jealousy, self victimizing and such. This work connects us to ourselves and our practice space in a clean and deep way. As it is in our practice — we are never done. We are forever cleaning.

Uncovering purity

In many of the world's spiritual practices we find rituals of purification. The rituals including washing our bodies, or parts of it, in water or clean sand, as well as the sweating out of toxins. In chemistry we find purification processes, such as, extraction and evaporation, in which a substance is being reduced to become purer.



After creating one of his masterpieces, Michelangelo said: "I saw the angel in the marble and carved until I set him free". The pure form already exists in the block, and the sculptor chips off all that is not. A similar process exists in the creation of the Japanese sword, the Katana (刀). There are a few processes that gave these swords their reputation of being some of the best swords ever made; folding and smelting, burns off many impurities of the steel, and polishing, which brings the sword to its final shape and sharpness, as well as places the mirror-like finish on a blade.




There seems to be a process of reduction, ridding of and clearing out as purity is uncovered, whether it is a substance, a spiritual evolution, or a work of art.

In our practice we undergo an ongoing forging process. Over time we lose and shave off many things we accumulated throughout our lives. We wash away, and sweat out many tendencies and habits. We become sharper, more concentrated, and eventually more pure.
Every time we train, we strive to keep a positive attitude, and act in a productive and compassionate way. We are shown our "extra stuff", and learn to let go of it. By our physical efforts we create a stronger body, and by sweating we get rid of toxins residing in our system. We concentrate and our mental efforts bear a brighter outlook and perception.

My teacher often reminds us to keep polishing ourselves, day in and day out, in order for us to really shine. This is the essence of our training, little by little, uncovering purity.
"Foster and polish
The warrior spirit
While serving in the world;
Illuminate the path
According to your inner light."
~ O'Sensei, Morihei Ueshiba