Senpai's Way

I often speak of the role of beginners at the Dojo, but very seldom mention the Senpai (先輩, sometimes pronounced Sempai).
Senpai are the senior members of the Dojo community, in many cases Yudansha, or 'black belts'.

I like to think of the dojo as of a water stream; While the newcomers and beginners are the water, the Senpai are the rocks. They, too, sometime shift and move, yet constantly hold the ground of the community. The water and the rocks keep the stream alive and dynamic; ever changing. They interconnect and affect each other.

No one is awarded with a Senpai title, nor anyone is tested for it. Time simply passes, new people join the dojo, and one day—you are called Senpai.

While Senpai may be responsible for different tasks and roles in the dojo—they are, first and foremost, an example. Example of conduct, appearance, technical abilities, good attitude and proper etiquette.
Senpai are leading the way, manifesting their teacher's vision into the dojo's reality, both on and off the mat. Dojo culture, students' interrelationships, level of practice and intensity, compassion and assistance to everyone are influenced greatly by Senpai.

With one becoming a Sempai rise the understanding that, just as in using the roles of Uke and Tori/Nage, one cannot do it alone, and one cannot improve without the improvement of the whole community. We are all in it together, and going into an 'Open Heart Mode' is necessary. A greater view, outside our own little selves—and into 'the bigger picture', bring about the beauty and connection of everyone at the dojo, and reaches way outside the dojo's walls to the interconnectedness of everything.

Be the rock, Sempai, yet allow yourself to move about.
Direct the stream, yet let the water polish you.
Be solid, yet do not be afraid to lose some of your layers.
Evolve and change, let time wash you with grace.

Peace is every step

On the shelf, right above the front desk at the dojo, we present gifts we received throughout the years. One of them is a straw hat. "Peace is every step" reads the calligraphy on it. It was written by Thich Nhat Hanh, a Vietnamese Zen master.

“Walk as if you are kissing the Earth with your feet.”

A reminder of mindfulness. It's in every step.

Seminar with Doshu

This weekend we had the honor to participate in a seminar with Aikido Doshu, Ueshiba Moriteru. The seminar was hosted by Aikido UnEnKai, chaired by I. Shibata Shihan, at Berkeley Aikikai.

It felt like a one in a lifetime opportunity, training in a smaller setting that the usual gymnasiums Doshu has been teaching in, with hundreds of participants.

In this photo, taken at the reception, after classes, are some of North Valley Aikikai members, my daughter, Aria, and myself.