I also like devastating technique. My first seminar, years ago at Palm Beach Aikikai, was a real eye opener for me. Donovan Waite Shihan was instructing. It’s hard to overstate the power generated by our throws, when executed by someone with skill, and received by someone who can safely absorb that much energy.

I consider my study of Aikido and martial arts in general as physical exercise. I chose the “arts”, again, because I know I’m not going to the gym nor am I going to strike out to walk thirty minutes every other day. I have studied some form of the “arts” from age 11 and it truly interest me. In my younger days, because I was fascinated by Bruce Lee. Today, as stated previously, I study because of the physical aspects of it, but there is another reason; it is dog gone interesting. Positioning, angle, strike points and the like, I find extremely interesting.

From striking to harmonizing, I find a balance between the two. There is a time to strike, particularly for the defense of others. Harmonizing, for my own personal defense. I leave it at that, in fear of opening a can of worms.

Balancing the “arts” with one’s religious beliefs could be difficult for some, but not for this writer. As a pastor of a church, I don’t broadcast that I am studying the “arts” nor do I hide it.

Probably the most notable fight in the Bible belongs to David and Goliath. We know the story, but the background of that battle says a lot about preparation. David, as most of us know, was a sheppard. He was most likely a middle teens teenager. When King Saul asked David what made him think he could defeat Goliath, David expounded upon his earlier training. Although, God blessed and protected David, he trained. He trained with his sheppard’s staff, his hands and his sling. David told King Saul, on two occasions he killed wild animals (lion and bear) with his hands. He would not have been able to do this unless he had been training in some way. He had to be physically fit and know something about how to attack.

When David approached Goliath, a man which stood over nine feet, David took his sling and put it to work. We know the rest of the story, as Paul Harvey would say. I propose David had trained with his sling.

In another biblical example, God told Israel, when a much larger force was about to attack, to put on their battle array and go to face the enemy. Israel did just that. They prepared for battle, went to face the enemy, but they never had to raise a hand, for God cause the enemy of Israel to kill themselves.

In these two examples, I am taking nothing away from God’s power and ability, but what I am pointing out is, I believe, God teaches us to be prepared and show up. I do not believe that God requires everyone to study the “arts”. People tend to lean toward their personalities. Some like the challenge of the mat and other do not and that’s okay.

The point I’m trying to make is this; it is the mind set or heart set. If an individual studies the “arts” for the purpose of fighting, then it is the wrong heart set. If a person studies the “arts” with the love of his fellow man in his or her heart, then the heart is in the right place.

I use to love sparring and still do (lovin randori), to a point. Years ago, it was about defeating an opponent with a devastating blow as quickly as possible. Today, I am more interested in the quality of the technique than the devastation factor. Although, devastating can be very cool.

Chris

(Relax, DK, this is not about you…)

whatever helps you sleep at night…”aikiflower”

Fine.

MM, I think “aikiflower” has a positive connotation, don’t you? It suggests spring, renewal, life, beauty.

Let’s tenkan and change our perspective a bit. Maybe we should be thanking your friend at that other site for the training opportunity?