When I first started teaching Aikido class, Ishibashi Sensei said, “Our job is to make sure that students get the (Aikido) technique faster than we did (from the late Mizukami Sensei).” Mizukami Sensei taught both Sensei and me.
As Sensei, my purpose is that Aikido students develop and evolve faster than I did. Create the space for them to become the best version of themselves, faster. Give away all that I’ve learned, all that has been useful to me. It’s about them, not about me.
In over 25 years, I’ve trained dozens of students to become Shodan (1st degree black belt) and beyond. When Mizukami gave me an Aikido class to teach, he said, “Your Aikido gets better when you teach.” Breaking down Aikido techniques and reconstructing them so that students get it expanded and challenged me. I looked within myself. I distinguished my own pitfalls and weaknesses when I learned the technique. Still, students didn’t always listen. Yet, I tried my best. The student had to put in the work. Just train.
Once, I asked Mizukami Sensei how he could be so patient after demonstrating the technique for a student, then they continue doing it the same way– the wrong way. Sensei just smiled.
After teaching Aikido for a number of years, I got it. Sensei did his best to pass on what he has gotten in over 50 years in Aikido. Teaching was a two-way street. Students had to train in their listening, too. The underlying foundation of Mastery is listening. I always did my best to listen to Sensei, albeit imperfectly. Now, I’m Godan (5th degree black belt). So, it’s possible. I’m not special. Just listen.
We all do our best, given our strengths and weaknesses. Everyone’s best is not the same. Sensei gives students what they need, what they have yet to distinguish. What the late Mizukami Sensei had done for me over the years.
After demonstrating an Aikido technique to a student, he said, “But you’re better than me.” I said, “No, I’ve just been doing it longer than you. Everyone’s zero is different.” Everyone’s starting point is different. The training ain’t about being the GOAT (Greatest of All-Time). Well, at least not for me. Neither for Mizukami Sensei.
Mizukami Sensei created the space to invent my greater-than versions. I trained to be the greatest that I could be. O-Sensei Morihei Ueshiba said, “True victory is victory over oneself.” I work on myself without comparisons to others.
In the bigger picture, I become the best version of myself with velocity. That’s what Ishibashi Sensei spoke of. I guide students in their Aikido training, to become the better person, faster than I did. As part of the late Mizukami Sensei’s legacy, I accelerate others to get I what I got. That purpose extended beyond Aikido, too.
I endured my abusive childhood growing up at home. My Dad terrified the hell out of me. The voice in my head said, “I’ll never be good enough.” In working with my therapist, Lance, I got that voice was my Dad’s voice. He got that voice from his Dad. The legacy of abusive parents.
I healed my childhood trauma and depression by working with Lance. I looked at my fear of Dad. I ground it out. I recalled Mizukami Sensei saying, “Just train, Jon. It’s not like you have to get somewhere.” I put in the work. I learned to love myself for who I am and forgive myself for who I’m not. That didn’t happen overnight. I just trained.
I arose into the possibility of “I’m okay” from my childhood trauma and clinical depression. No one should have to suffer what I did. I wanted to help others who could have been me, to heal and find their measure of peace, faster than I did.
I wrote a book about my journey of self-acceptance and forgiveness. My dear friend for over 40 years, Ken Goldstein, said that my message had an audience, that I should self-publish. So, I did. I also got a copyright as Ken recommended.
My book was no fairytale bestseller. Yet, that led to working with my Editor Lisa Blacker on The Good Men Project. I write about learning to love and forgive thine own self in life’s trials and tribulations. Together, Lisa and I have published over 500 posts on The Good Men Project and Medium. I work with Lisa in possibly writing books for her publishing company.
I hope that what I write in some way helps heal someone out there who is suffering, who could have been me. My intention is that they look for their faith within themselves and get the appropriate help to heal faster than I had. In the Buddhist Noble Truths, there will always be suffering life. We should discover the path to the end of suffering as quickly as possible. Just saying.
I do my best to help others, who suffered as I have, to heal and invent their greater-than versions of themselves. May they heal themselves faster than I have. That might leave the world a little bit greater than when I came into it. That’s meaningful to me. Just saying.
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