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I always think of O-Sensei Morihei Ueshiba as the Master. He trained for so many years in Jujutsu, Judo, Daito-ryu Aiki-Jujutsu, Kenjutsu (Japanese swordsmanship), and other martial arts. He studied Zen and Shinto. O-Sensei evolved his mind, body and spirit in his pursuit to become greater than he knew. He created Aikido.
O-Sensei redefined the warrior: “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.”
I would presume that even O-Sensei never referred to himself as a Master. Yet, he is the very distinction of Mastery, in martial arts and perhaps in life as well. Mastery isn’t about the pursuit of perfection. O-Sensei said, “Failure is the key to success; each mistake teaches us something.” That’s the poignant humanity of O-Sensei. I get that he created Aikido for there to peace and love in the world. That was his intention. That was his dream.
Contrary to populist perception, I’ve come to believe that O-Sensei’s peace is not passive, not at all from a position of defense. His peace embodies the spirit of Budo, “the martial way”. On the surface that seems rather contradictory. Rather, I believe that O-Sensei intended Peace as paradoxical in nature.
There is no attack in Aikido. One doesn’t initiate the attack with either a punch, kick or grab. No attack. No Aikido. Therefore, peace.
However, when someone chooses to attack me, I wait it out. I bring the attack to me, and let it pass me. Then I attack at the same time. “Enter the attack and die with honor.” Win or lose. No matter how skilled one is, you don’t know what will happen. You can only be present. The outcome is the outcome.
Perhaps, therein lies the Art in Mastery. Be present. Keep it simple. Empty mind. Breathe. Do your job. Being present and doing your job is access to mastery.
In my Aikido training my job is learning to move my body in weapons practice with the jo (wooden staff) and the bokken (wooden sword). As O-Sensei created Aikido he translated the weapons body movement to empty handed technique. So what I’m learning from Sensei Bobby is going really ‘Old School’, to the foundations of the Art of Aikido.
I train my mind not to react to the jo thrusting to my stomach. I wait it out. Profile off the center line of attack, and attack back. The Sensei from France told us, “You can’t do the impossible with technique.” Amen.
I must do the possible within my expanding limits. That takes time and repetition. Sensei Dan would say, “Just train.” That’s just doing my job.
Mastery is in simplicity, not the complex. Perhaps, one distinction of Mastery: Do your fucking job.
Retired NFL lineman Damien Woody played for several seasons under Coach Bill Belichick for the New England Patriots. Damien won a couple Super Bowl rings with Bill and Quarterback Tom Brady, whom he both know well. Damien discussed one of the fundamentals of Bill Belichick’s unprecedented success in the NFL reaching his 9th Super Bowl along with Tom on ESPN’s “First Take” with Hosts Stephen A. Smith and Max Kellerman.
Max asked Damien what Bill looks for and asks from his players. Damien said that Bill looks for: 1. Smart players with a mind for the game of football; 2. Players, who do their job. Talent is not as fundamental as following instruction, and understanding and getting what’s your purpose in the overall scheme.
No, Bill doesn’t ask his players to do everything. He coaches them to do their specific job. Admittedly, over the years the Patriots have had various levels of talent other than constants like Tom Brady and Tightend Rob Gronkowski. Yet, they have performed at the highest levels even in these days of restrictive Team salary caps. Damien says, “It’s because everyone does their job.”
Tom Brady distinctly gets his job. In the 2017 Facetime series “Tom vs. Time”, Tom rigorous trained in the Patriots off-season with receiver Julian Edelman. Tom threw passes to Julian running routs on the grass field up in the mountains. Julian missed Tom’s pass. Tom said, “You gotta run faster!” Julian yelled back, “You run faster!” Tom simply said, “That’s not my fucking job! Do your job.” Tom gets it. Julian got it.
The Art in Mastery is knowing and doing your fucking job. I do my job in Aikido. Tom and Julian do theirs for the Patriots. The journey continues on. Hopefully, you love your job like we do.
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