At the 2019 MTV Movie Awards, Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson accepted his Generations Award. In 2019, Dwayne was the highest-paid actor on Planet Earth. He said, “The most powerful thing we can be is ourselves.” The Rock would know. He’s the 6’ 5”, 270 pound, half Black, half Samoan WWE World Heavyweight Wrestling Champion, who became the biggest movie star on the Planet.
The Rock said, “Yes, it’s important to be your authentic self. But that’s not enough…” The gold that lies in being your authentic self: “Recognize the joy and responsibility to bring everyone with you.” That is having true global influence. The Rock is just saying.
O-Sensei Morihei Ueshiba said, “True victory is victory over oneself.” It’s me against me. I work on myself, become the better man, the greater person. In working on me, I invite others to do the same: Become the greater-than versions of themselves. In Aikido, Ishibashi Sensei says, “Apply the technique to yourself.” That’s the training for both nage (the one receiving the attack) and uke (the attacker).
I practice katate-tori iriminage (clothesline technique to the head) with the uke grabbing my wrist. As the nage, I offer my hand in kotegaeshi (wrist lock), then transition to nikkyo (another wrist lock). I apply kotegaeshi and nikkyo to my own wrists, positioning the uke in iriminage. The uke applies irminage to themselves by moving in, getting under the nage’s arm. Then the uke takes the fall.
As Sensei, I’m responsible for uke and nage. I guide the uke into the proper body position to take the fall. I intentionally lead the uke’s body and mind into the proper position to take the fall. No fight. Everyone is safe.
I apply the technique to myself. It’s only me against me. I lead the student into the proper position to take the fall. We both evolve. What’s next? The student applies the technique to themselves over, and over, and over, and over again. Repetition makes the unnatural, natural. Just train.
In working on myself, I invite others to work on themselves, too. The world works when it’s not all about me. It works when it’s about others, about them. I place them in the position to evolve, to become the best versions of themselves. I bring everyone up.
O-Sensei said, “The way of the warrior is to give life to all things, to reconcile the world, and to foster the completion of everyone’s journey.” The way of the warrior is of service, bringing up others to their greater versions.
One Sunday morning in Aikido Class, I practiced iriminage with 14-year-old Lukas. The late Mizukami Sensei watched us train. He said to Lukas, “Show me.” I attacked Lukas. He threw me solidly to the Aikido mat. Sensei smiled, “You’re a better teacher than me.” I smiled, “I don’t think so.” Sensei walked over to watch other students practice. Mizukami Sensei was a man of few words. Still, that was meaningful to me.
Sensei always inspired me to be greater. I always wanted to be like him. He graciously brought me up with him. Nothing, but mad love and respect to Sensei. He is part of my soul.
In the bigger picture, I work on myself. I bring up others to the best versions of themselves. The world works when it’s not all about me. The world is about them. Something I got from the late Mizukami Sensei. Mad love and respect. Just saying.
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