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I have the unique privilege of Aikido sensei. That’s sensei with small “s”. Years ago, Sensei Dan told me that my Aikido evolves, becomes greater as I teach. He was right. As sensei I guide others on their own path of discovery, discovering their greater within.
O-Sensei said, “True victory is victory of oneself.” Karma. I discovered the greater within me in training those who are like me, rather others I see me within.
In teaching Aikido to older children and teenagers, I have compassion for their journey of discovering themselves. Their world is constantly altering: “Who I am?” “How do I fit in?” Teens inherently engage in their own greater than conversation, although they’re not always present to this. Hell, neither is a grownup.
As sensei, I listen to the student as greater than he or she knows him or herself to be. Their parents inherently do the same. Teens are thrown to be more generous in their listening of me because I’m not their parents. When the young student grants me permission to teach, then it’s on!
Years ago I trained Adam. He was 14 years old when he started Aikido. He was this tall, lanky, good-looking, quiet kid who desperately wanted to learn Aikido. I really got that he needed to be strong, to think better of himself.
Strangely, Adam feared throwing others too hard. Adam demanded perfection in himself. No mistakes were tolerated. His silent anger arose when he didn’t meet his highly calibrated expectations.
I got Adam. Adam was the younger version of me. He was my karma. Ultimately, we teach ourselves in someone else. Bruce Lee said, “true knowledge is self-knowledge”. I had compassion for my fear, my strengths, and my frailty in Adam.
Adam was the gifted natural in Aikido. I bestowed upon him my love of Aikido. I’d tell him, “Remember, use your powers for good, not evil.” We had nothing but love and respect for each other. I wanted Adam to become greater than he could imagine. And he did.
I’ll never have children. That opportunity has long passed. Yet, if I would have been fortunate to have a son, he would be Adam. Adam was one of the Dojo’s youngest black belts. I am proud of the man Adam became, and the man he is today. He granted me permission to be his guide in discovering his greater self. Adam is part of the wondrous world.
On Sunday Aikido practice, I trained with 10-year-old Mariko. Sensei Bobby had us practice the kokyunage throw from the attack grabbing both your wrists. Kokyunage is “breath throw”. She feared, having difficulty throwing me and another black belt, who was much bigger than me.
I told her, “Lower your center. Breathe out when you throw. Like this. Base down on your feet. Don’t throw on your toes. Breathe out.” That’s what Sensei Dan had told me over the years. In a sense, his words were now mine.
She followed the instruction. She threw me and my bigger friend, with ease. She threw us leveraging her center. She used her breath. Just breathe.
I asked, “How does it feel?” She smiled, “Good.” She discovered her own greater than.
We’ve all experienced feeling weaker, afraid, and lesser than at times. Whether in the Dojo or outside in the “real world,” focus on your one point, and just breathe. When you exhale, let go. You have the freedom to be you. You experience that wonder within. Even if for a moment.
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Photo credit: Pixabay