Simple pleasures

I opened my eyes this morning in a soft bed, after a good night sleep. I was laying there for a while, listening to the birds. I got up, washed my face in cold water, and looked out the window; the sun was shinning bright and everything looked so green outside. Now sitting at the desk, my cat is purring on my lap, I hear a sweet whispering conversation between my daughter and husband in the bedroom, and the water, boiling for tea, in the kitchen. Soon the scent of the jasmine buds will fill the study, and I will take small sips of this hot pleasure. I will go outside to water the plants, enjoy the new red leaves on the maple, and the new growth of the vegetable patch. Later I will take my daughter to her Ballet class, be delighted again with her adorable movements, and will then go to the Dojo for an Aikido class, for my daily practice.

Simple pleasures — never to take them for granted.

Looking for the flair

Recently I was approached by one of my students that told me he liked a particular class I taught that week. I usually stick to basic techniques. I believe they show the best way to development of a strong base for beginners. I usually avoid complicated variations with much flair. Though seem somewhat less exciting - I feel the basics will provide my students with a better soil, that can then sprout into a deeper knowledge and understanding of Aikido. The class my student was referring to was a different one though; one in which I moved away from my habit, and showed more complex and challenging variations. I could see the excitement in my students' eyes: "Yes! something new!".

At this conversation, I mentioned to my student some of O'Sensei's words: "In your training, do not be in a hurry, for it takes a minimum of ten years to master the basics and advance to the first rung. Never think of yourself as an all-knowing, perfected master; you must continue to train daily with your friends and students and progress together in the Art of Peace." More basics, I said to him, is better for us all.

O'Sensei's words kept echoing within me, reminding me to stick to simplicity, rather then to flair and grandiosity. A reminder that a daily and ongoing practice should never end. My teacher is a perfect example to that. Decades of Aikido, and still keeping his daily training. His example is a glowing torch, and to its light I follow.

Here is a demonstration of Ikkyo, the very basic of basics, by the current Doshu, Moriteru Ueshiba.



Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication.
~Leonardo DaVinci