Putting things into perspective!

A post from the Aikiweb .com forum 19^th July 2006, posted by David Chalk:

A father passing by his son’s bedroom was astonished to see the bed was nicely made, everything had been picked up and the room was tidy.  Then he saw an envelope propped up prominently on the pillow.  It was addressed “Dad”.  With trepidation, thinking the worst he opened the envelope and read the letter with trembling hands.

            

Dear Dad.  It is with great regret and sorrow that I write this note.  I had to elope with my new girlfriend, because I wanted to avoid a scene with you and mum.

I’ve been finding real passion with Tracy and she is so nice, but I knew you would not approve of her because of all her tattoos and piercings, her tight motorcycle leathers and because she is much older than me.  But its not only the passion, Dad, she’s pregnant.  Tracy said we will be very happy as she owns a trailer in the woods and has enough firewood to last most of the winter.  We share a dream of having many more children. 

Tracy has also opened my eyes to the fact that marijuana really doesn’t hurt anyone.  We will be growing it for ourselves and we can trade it with the others in the commune for as much cocaine and ecstasy as we want, maybe making a profit to spend on drink and cigarettes.  In the meanwhile we’ll be praying science will find a cure for AIDS, so Tracy can get better.  So don’t worry dad, I’m 15 and I know how to take care of myself.  Someday I’m sure we’ll be back to visit so you can get to know your many grandchildren.

Love, your son, John.

PS:  Dad, none of the above is true.  I’m over at Tom’s house; I just want to remind you that there are worse things in life than the school report that’s on my desk.  I love you!

Call when it is safe for me to come home.

A good example of the principles of Aikido!

Life in action. ‘Big’ Aikido.

• Zanshin  -  awareness of possible issues and outcomes in advance (sen no sen – translated means ‘before – before’).
• Putting into place a ‘before the event’ strategy.
• Redirecting the potential energy of a confrontation.
• Diffusing the situation before it happens.

BLEND and HARMONISE!

To find out more about Sensei Seth's club visit www.zanshinaikido.co.uk You can e-mail Peter at psethp@yahoo.co.uk

BLENDING (becoming ‘one with’).

Blending depends on more than ‘timing’. 

It is commonly accepted that ‘timing’ is one of the keys to success.  This is rather simplistic. Even ‘blending’ itself is open to interpretation.  To become ‘one’, what does that mean?

To keep it simple I’ll loosely confine myself to the physical act of blending energies with a partner as performed in activities such as martial arts (Aikido is a good example to use).  But can be applied to many/all other activities eg: dancing, sports, fishing – (Your adversary being the fish – your connection the rod and line.  Using the balanced flexibility of the rod and the strength and stretch of the line you can ‘play’ the fish efficiently and with little effort.  Sometimes landing a specimen many times the weight your equipment was designed for).   

                      

 If a partner/assailant/competitor applies their energy against you – where do you start?

Do you respond? 

When do you respond? 

How do you respond?  (it may be too soon/late)? 

Do you anticipate? 

When do you anticipate? 

How do you anticipate? (It may be too/soon late)? 

Are you aware? 

How much are you aware? 

Do you see ‘all’ the potential dangers?

ZANSHIN = more than awareness. (Japanese word).

Are you ‘Go – no – sen’?  (After - before),  or  ‘Sen – no – sen’?  (Before - before). (Japanese phrases).

Do you wait and counter or try to anticipate and ‘get in first’?

Is there a fine line between attack and defence?  Or, no line at all?

Rhythm.

A must!  Without rhythm appropriate to the energies at work, then timing is, well, basically a ‘waste of time’.  On a physical level an example could be:

As you may have seen in films, a horse running loose – cowboy jumps on as it is passing – good timing.

Lands in the saddle when horse on up stroke - bad rhythm – sore backside.

To blend correctly with any situation is incredibly difficult and takes more than being physically adept.  To truly blend you need mental, spiritual as well as physical elements.  You need to empathise as well as harmonise.

Important:  Never be drawn into the rhythm of the enemy!

Your rhythm must be ‘outside’ of your opponents, out of phase if you will.  This will affect his timing. 

This being so, does it mean that rhythm and timing are the same thing?  Are they interchangeable or are they separate things which depend and affect each other?

There’s something to think about!

To find out more about Sensei Seth's club visit www.zanshinaikido.co.uk You can e-mail Peter at psethp@yahoo.co.uk

The Gentle Touch

Most things respond to the ‘gentle touch’ and the ‘gentle touch’ works well in all areas of life.

This includes Martial Arts and more importantly, relationships. Which in essence are what Martial Arts and life are about – establishing, developing, nurturing and sometimes safeguarding relationships.

Whether the relationships are, personal – one to one, within a group, nationally or internationally, employing the ‘gentle touch’ is the most constructive and positive way to deal with people and will always win through in the end.

Imagine, having a handful of sand, if you grip it tightly it squeezes through your fingers and you lose most of it.  What is left is crushed and misshapen. But, if you hold it carefully and gently, it moulds itself into your hand and none is lost.  It still maintains its own identity and independence.  It rests easily, conforming to the shape you form for it, blending and it comfortably becomes part of you.

Other well-known analogies are the bird and the butterfly.  If you try to hold either of them other than gently, they will struggle to escape or you will crush them.

In Martial Arts and life, a hard, strong, aggressive technique or approach may work.  But, you may be left with disharmony, damage, death and a negativity, which usually promotes or incites a very similar reaction.  This may develop and increase in scope and intensity, involving more and more people either by choice or not.  You can see where this may lead!

For example: In an aggressive act it is obvious that violence begets violence.  It is also true for a defensive act; if you are attacked and you respond ‘violently’ causing damage or worse to your attacker, their family, friends, allies will respond similarly causing a chain reaction of violence and chaos (Feuds, vendetta’s, conflict and wars).  This is regardless of where any blame lies; in life, blame or responsibility are easily or conveniently shifted, disregarded or ignored to meet current needs or agendas.

If however, you were to blend with your attacker’s energy (preferably before they form an ‘intent’ to attack), and lead them to a position where their energy is dissipated, then their capacity to harm you is gone and they are controlled but unharmed.

This is also very confusing for them!  They are usually used to the ‘feel’ of violence and the pain and discomfort of physical combat and they use this to reinforce their aggression, i.e.
 They attack, the other person retaliates, they get hit, - pain – adrenaline/endorphins/pain limiting chemicals released – a new monster emerges – a renewed more violent attack.

Some individuals actually get a ‘buzz’/‘high’, out of this cocktail of chemicals in their system and the feeling of control and power it gives them.  They can actually become ‘addicted’ to violence.

But, if upon attacking they find themselves for example sitting on their backsides relatively unhurt, they do not know how they got there, but they know you had something to do with it. Their thoughts may be ‘Oh bother, what on earth happened there?’ Or words to that effect!

Their friends/family/allies get to know, they then view you with more caution and respect, there is less likelihood of a repeat performance, sometimes, new alliances and friendships can be formed or at least a stalemate is achieved.

As mentioned, an even better strategy is to ‘react in advance’ (sen-no-sen); blend with them before their intent is formed. Recognise and blend with the ‘instigators’ of intent, dissipate whatever factors may be involved in the forming of the intent to attack.  The intent and desire will then be stillborn, dying in the womb as it were.          

This is very hard to do! It is called DIPLOMACY.

This does not mean be soft and passive, rather be assertive but use the ‘gentle touch’.

The ‘gentle touch’ applies to all things in life, it is the ‘strategy of harmony’ - A positive force in this world.

To find out more about Sensei Seth's club visit www.zanshinaikido.co.uk You can e-mail Peter at psethp@yahoo.co.uk

How authentic is your art?

I was pointed to this article by a friend - though not about aikido or a mainstream art, it begs the question:  Are all martial arts not quite what they should be?

With most arts now studied as a hobby, pastime, leisure activity, tailored as it were to suit and literally an age away from their real application and purpose; are the arts being watered down, losing their real focus and impact? 

Even Aikido tends to be more and more leaning to the art side - beautiful and effective, but moving away from its real state as a martial art which is descended from a variety of practical combat arts. 

I always make a point of showing my students the reality and full potential of each movement i.e.  Its combat potential - what its reality is or could be.

Read the following article by John Clements:

Sword fighting is not what you think

To borrow a famous line, the problem with most people trying to understanding the true nature of historical sword combat is not that they're ignorant; it's just that they know so much that isn't so.  Click to read more….

Do the points raised apply to your art as well?

Who is John Clements?

John Clements is a leading authority on historical fencing and one of the world’s foremost instructors of Medieval and Renaissance fighting methods. As a long-time Western martial artist who has been studying historical fencing since 1980, John is the most prolific writer on the subject of historical fencing. He has practiced European cut-and-thrust swordplay and for more than thirty years, taught on it in 15 countries, andresearched arms and armor on four continents.  He instructs both nationwide as well as internationally and (since 2005) from his one-of-a-kind private facility, Iron Door Studio, based outside Atlanta, Georgia. (ref: http://www.thearma.org/Director.htm)

A knowledge beyond the workings of the mind!

Ai-ki-do.  (Harmony – Spirit – Way).

What is generally practised world wide as ‘Aikido’, is in fact not really Aikido per se.  Rather it is a mixture of ‘techniques’ gleaned from various martial arts (depending upon the individuals experiences).  These are performed under what the individual perceives the translation of Aikido principles to be.

O’sensei (great teacher) Morihei Ueshiba was a brilliant technical martial artist, proficient at a number of arts. But, and here is the man’s genius.  He moved from this technical ‘doing’ stage, (the stage where technique is performed and the opponent is physically defeated by force and technique); forward to the ‘feeling’ stage where he attuned to the flow of energy, the vital importance of space, time, form, movement and rhythm.  Also, that ‘thing’ beyond anticipation, which when tapped, enables an individual to blend with and in advance of an attack, to facilitate the attacker to defeat themselves.  Even to the point of ‘merging minds’, as it were, to sense intent, even before it is formed.

(Sen No Sen).

Any individual who initiates an attack, or even thinks aggressive thoughts, has in fact already committed themselves to imbalance, in both mental and physical energy.

O’sensei and one or two others who understood and were attuned to this, could blend with this imbalanced energy and guide it to dissipation i.e. Lead the attacker to throw/defeat themselves, using no more than ‘zanshin’ awareness, space/distance, form and movement (minimum/transitory or no contact) – no ‘technique’ at all.

Traditional instruction must be based on technique, a structured core of defined and structured movements.  This is essential to establish a basic knowledge of principles, performance, ability, effectiveness and movement through the ranks.

But, some/most people, especially those who become adept and maybe receive kudos for their technical abilities, lose sight of O’sensei’s message and continue to amass an even greater repertoire of techniques.  They get stuck in the convention of what they perceive the art to be, they drag an ever increasing ‘baggage’ of technique along with them.

You can learn too many techniques.  So when the time comes to act, you have too many choices. This delays or interrupts your natural flow, your head becomes ’engaged’ and your natural instinctive actions are compromised.

To succeed in combat you must be in a state of Mu Shin - ‘no-mind’, this is not possible with your head full of techniques.

It was O’sensei’s wish, that when technically proficient, the basics learned, all students of the art should aspire to take up where he left off; to ‘feel’ Ai Ki and use it as a ‘way’ or ‘path’ by which to live;  to rise above the mundane/technique, however pretty and spectacular it seemed; to recognise Ai Ki in all things and to travel along the true path of harmony with all things.

‘Free your spirit, feel your art’.

Leave that heavy baggage of technique/convention behind.

It will still be where you left it when you need to go back to query/reflect, which you regularly will.

Aspire to be a swallow amid the chickens, but always remember you have to land occasionally for sustenance.  And try if you can to encourage the chickens to fly, or at least look up!

The following was on an ‘Aikiweb’ post (Aikiweb.com) –

‘It’s easy to squash a bug, it’s much harder to pick it up and let it go’. 

Says it all really!

I have used Aikido as an example, but the message is true of all martial arts as well as all areas of life. Try to fly – or at least look up!  Learn the basics, then, let them go.

Sensei Shoji Nishio said, "We are Artist's... using the tools of destruction to develop a peaceful way to express love and harmony within ourselves and others."

This chapter though describing a martial art, parallels with all other areas of life – learn the basics then using them as a base - explore, push the boundaries. Don’t be afraid of challenging convention and changing the basics if that is what you need to do.

© (P Seth 03).

To find out more about Sensei Seth's club visit www.zanshinaikido.co.uk You can e-mail Peter at psethp@yahoo.co.uk

Nice to see it sometimes works! (Even if it’s just being aware).

(Email from a past student).

“Hi Peter, sorry been a while since said hello.
Chris probably said I was in Bournemouth now, hope everything's going well up there.

A little while before Christmas had a couple of thugs tried to beat me up.
First time, he pretended he wanted a word then went psycho on me, he grabbed for my throat, and I just stepped back quick and he had that eye-popping-out-socket look we get in aikido, like saying "what just happened?" 

Stayed calm, kept my hands up, and managed to block a swipe he took at me (and kept glasses on my face with the block!) Eventually he gave up and went back into this little clothes shop he manages.
I thought, maybe this'll blow over –

I had just located an aikido group in Bournemouth, and thought it would probably be a good idea to get along, and there was a class the very next day. Would you believe it, but he was teaching the very same escape from the throat-grab that I'd done the day before.

Anyway, the class wasn't much good - he didn't believe in the energy aspect of aikido and didn't do break-falls because "if someone can break fall the technique is not very good". When I asked but what if someone did something like a hip-throw, he just looked confused.

Decided after a few weeks to go past this shop again, and some guy comes running after me, saying "Hey, friend" but I knew something was up again.

So as he was running I turned to face square on, and then he started moving really slowly - like pretend slow motion. So I turned again and moved away quick, and he started to run again (obviously to hit me from behind). Did the same thing again, turning square-on and again he did this pretend-slow-motion thing again. The road was really busy, so somehow he got me cornered against a full glass window on 2 sides (like an L-shape). He kept speaking to try and distract me, he wanted to punch me when I wasn't aware, I just kept moving my arms in the right place; this went on for quite a while without him able to throw a punch. The guy who attacked me the first time was a few steps away as well behind him to the right. I could really feel the energy of how hard his punch would have been if it hit me at one point. Was surprised I didn't have an adrenaline dump, so that was good, but mentally I realised I could get killed here through the window pane. Was concerned about my glasses, he must have picked up on that, he says "Now you can't see," took a grab at my glasses and took a couple of steps back, that gave me my chance to get off of the window and decided to just make a run for it.

What was amazing though is that not one punch was thrown, even though they obviously intended to really smash me down.

So a long overdue thank you definitely in order, your aikido saved the day :-)
I did find another aikido group down here that I've been going to, they were incredulous that the other teacher doesn't teach rolls and falls! Much better, they do get the energy component. Hope everything is calmer in the North-East!

Hopefully see you soon,

Steve”

To find out more about Sensei Seth's club visit www.zanshinaikido.co.uk
You can e-mail Peter at psethp@yahoo.co.uk

Knives & Weapons…. another one for debate.

 Knives!  Horrible things in the hands of fools!  In fact it does not even have to be a knife, almost anything can be employed to intimidate, terrorise, wound and kill.  It is the individuals not the weapons they use which must be the priority in addressing the present violence sweeping the country.

Apart from the criminal element and the perpetuation of violence for gain, the other main area is the violence which seems to be prevalent and increasing amongst the youth in this country.  With youngsters both male and female ranging from as young as nine or ten up to the age of early twenties and sometimes beyond being involved in nasty and sometimes deadly violence. 

How to address the issues?

Education.

This is by far the most important factor in controlling violent behaviour in general.

The youngsters who are most likely to use violence and carry weapons are usually the least likely to respond to traditional education but are usually attracted to activities of perceived violence.  As a practicing martial artist (who has worked within the traditional education system) may I suggest that one way could be that martial arts should be included in the national curriculum, even if it is outside of school hours?  In Japan for example where this system operates there is virtually no violent crime compared to this country. 

I know from experience the personal and social benefits good martial arts training imbues in the individual – respect, confidence, fitness, goal setting, tolerance, team work, good work ethic, and so it goes on – all positive things. It may also alter the general impression of martial arts as learning to be violent, instead of its real goal – to improve the individual character.

In answer to a media report that a thug had used martial arts techniques to beat up someone:  ‘If he had been a martial artist he would not have been a thug!’

Sanctions     

Sensible – long term – NOT knee-jerk. Weapons, especially knives are readily available anywhere, but as previously mentioned it is the individual which is the main element in violence and this should be taken into account.

How about a positive sustained policy of stop and search when the carrying of weapons is suspected as well as more rigorous application of the sanctions already available?  Let those intent on violent acts realise there will be serious consequences – mandatory minimum sentences for the unlawful possession of weapons with intent. Even for those misguided souls who ‘carry for self defence’ out of fear.  Someone has suggested army style ‘boot camps’ to give the yobs a glimpse of real discipline and to generate some idea of respect – maybe a good idea?

Mankind is designed at its most basic to be violent, but there are many factors which come into play which control its use.  Some are regularly quoted in the face of the many incidents which occur – poverty, ethnicity, crime, alcohol, drugs, breakdown of the family, stress etc. These are all valid factors which must be addressed. 

There are more basic ‘human’ traits which directly influence violent behaviour.  Resources, tribalism – gangs – mutual defence - peer pressure (proving you belong by perpetrating violence on behalf of or as part of ‘the gang’), ego, greed, status, need to dominate (power) which gives you more access to available resources.

This could come under the heading of various levels of the natural survival instinct.  There are also the psychopaths and sociopaths who have no grasp of civilised or moral behaviour whose violence can be random and without reason.  But, in the main the bulk of society, want to live a peaceful life.

Training to defend yourself!

Does anyone actually know how a martial artist would fair if they defend themselves?

With the perceived misconceptions the media and the authorities seem to have (or manipulate for whatever reason) how are martial artists actually seen/viewed in a fracas situation?

I’ve heard in the past about a '6 month veteran' at karate who was involved in an 'incident' and the media had him down as an expert who used his 'great skill' on some poor thugs who attacked him. Not sure of the outcome but he didn’t get good press due to his 'vast' marts experience (a whole 6 months - can’t even walk properly in that time).

Are martial artists penalised for trying to learn to control violence and make themselves better citizens? Do we immediately become cast as aggressive, violent people? Does it actually make a difference to the authorities and how do they really view it? After all the police are trained in arrest, restraint, armed (to various degrees) tactics etc. Does that make them martial artists?? Some of this is tongue in cheek but also serious - would be great if someone from the media or authorities could give their take on the subject.

Intervention!

Until the law is clarified and common sense and moral justice is considered it is a very dodgy thing to intervene - the police are only too happy to 'apply' the 'law' AGAINST the good citizen. It’s a very easy point or two on the target board and a lot easier than dealing with a pack of yobs. Especially if the good citizen has a smattering of martial arts experience, after all we are all experts eh??

There is no incentive to be a good citizen if you risk arrest for doing so. A great shame that in this once proud country the nice guys are on the run. There’s lots of talk from the yoof lobby but how about some positive action - lets try address the problems. It’s a fact that teenagers are or can be in the right conditions the most dangerous sector of society (they have not developed empathy - poor moral limits) and have poor perception of boundaries. (During the war the Hitler youth aged 15 to 20 had the worst reputation for barbaric acts). You are much more likely to be killed by young 'yobs' than by older age groups. What are the limits a good citizen can go to defend themselves legally??

There’s that saying ‘Better to be judged by 12 than carried by 6’.

To find out more about Sensei Seth's club visit www.zanshinaikido.co.uk You can e-mail Peter at psethp@yahoo.co.uk

Try everything....

All arts have something to give.  Come out of your (corner/art) and sample what is available – build on your chosen art.  Don’t waste your opportunities.  My age probably makes me lean towards philosophy but maybe you youngsters should start now.  Get some balance to the physical side of the arts.

To find out more about Sensei Seth's club visit www.zanshinaikido.co.uk
 You can e-mail Peter at psethp@yahoo.co.uk

The Need to Win

Hi everyone been a bit busy so only a short one this month.

Being devils advocate on this one:

The Need to Win.

Chuang Tzu (~300 BC.) (as translated by Thomas Merton).

When an archer is shooting for nothing
He has all his skill.
If he shoots for a brass buckle
He is already nervous.
If he shoots for a prize of gold
He goes blind
Or sees two targets--
He is out of his mind!

His skill has not changed.

But the prize divides him.

He cares.
He thinks more of winning than of shooting--
And the need to win drains him of power.

                -----------------------------------------------

It also affects other areas of life, not only for the individual involved but also for others around them.  Concentrating all their energies to win, to be the best, can be a very positive activity.  It can be very empowering, a massive ego boost as you succeed in your goal.  The approbation of your peers, a reputation for success and the acquisition of the ‘prizes’ associated with success.

A positive, powerful person fully focussed on a single goal – to beat everyone else, to be top dog.  A ‘winner’ is usually a very attractive person.  After all, competition is an integral part of life.

It has long been known that the single minded ‘need’ to win actually detracts from a persons potential to win. 

So does this mean to ‘not try so hard’ may produce better results? 

Or maybe just to enjoy the game instead of ‘trying’ to win the game?

Or maybe like the Samurai, ‘No win’ – ‘No lose’ – ‘No thought’, just do!

WOT YOU THINK ? –  J

To find out more about Sensei Seth's club visit www.zanshinaikido.co.uk
You can e-mail Peter at psethp@yahoo.co.uk

The Way – Path – Direction through life.

A book to read:    Lao Tzu: Te-Tao Ching - A New Translation Based on the Recently Discovered Ma-wang-tui Texts (Classics of Ancient China) (Paperback)
by Robert G. Henricks (Translator)

Tao (pronounced ‘Dow’) means ‘Path’ or ‘Way’ of/through life.

Some quotes:

The Tao that can be told is not the eternal Tao.
The name that can be named is not the eternal name.
The nameless is the beginning of heaven and earth.
The named is the mother of ten thousand things.
Ever desireless, one can see the mystery.
Ever desiring, one can see the manifestations.
These two spring from the same source but differ in name;
this appears as darkness.
Darkness within darkness.
The gate to all mystery.

---------------------------------------------------------

Whenever you advise a ruler in the way of Tao,
Counsel him not to use force to conquer the universe.
For this would only cause resistance.
Thorn bushes spring up wherever the army has passed.
Lean years follow in the wake of a great war.
Just do what needs to be done.
Never take advantage of power.

Achieve results,
But never glory in them.
Achieve results,
But never boast.
Achieve results,
But never be proud.
Achieve results,
Because this is the natural way.
Achieve results,
But not through violence.

Force is followed by loss of strength.
This is not the way of Tao.
That which goes against the Tao
comes to an early end.

------------------------------------------------------

Knowing others is wisdom;
Knowing the self is enlightenment.
Mastering others requires force;
Mastering the self needs strength.

He who knows he has enough is rich.
Perseverance is a sign of will power.
He who stays where he is, endures.
To die but not to perish is to be eternally present.

------------------------------------------------------------

The wise student hears of the Tao and practices it diligently.
The average student hears of the Tao and gives it thought now and again.
The foolish student hears of the Tao and laughs aloud.
If there were no laughter, the Tao would not be what it is.

Hence it is said:
The bright path seems dim;
Going forward seems like retreat;
The easy way seems hard;
The highest virtue seems empty;
Great purity seems sullied;
A wealth of Virtue seems inadequate;
The strength of Virtue seems frail;
Real Virtue seems unreal;
The perfect square has no corners;
Great talents ripen late;
The highest notes are hard to hear;
The greatest form has no shape.
The Tao is hidden and without name.
The Tao alone nourishes and brings everything to fulfilment.

-----------------------------------------------------

The softest thing in the universe
Overcomes the hardest thing in the universe.
That without substance can enter where there is no room.
Hence I know the value of non-action.

Teaching without words and work without doing
Are understood by very few.

Modern interpretation:

"Listen’!
If you want to be a leader
who's in touch with Tao,
never use violence
to achieve your goals.

Every act of violence backfires.
An army on the move
leaves a trail of tears,
and a military victory
always lies within ruins.

The Masters do what needs doing
and that's all they do.
Do what you have to do
without arrogance or pride.
Get the job done
and don't brag about it afterwards.
Do what you have to do,
not for your own benefit, but because it needs to be done.

And don't do it the way
you think it should be done,
do it the way it needs to be done.

----------------------------------------------------------------

The mighty will always lose their power
and any connection
they ever had to Tao.
They will not last long;
If you're not right with Tao,
you might as well be dead.

Weapons are terrible things.
If you want to get right with Tao,
reject weapons.

The Master,
knowing all things came from Tao,
recognizes what he has in common
with his enemies
and always tries to avoid conflict.

But when there is no other choice,
he uses force reluctantly.
He does so with great restraint,
and never celebrates a victory;
to do so would be to rejoice in killing.
A person who would rejoice in killing
has completely lost touch with Tao.

When you win a war,
you preside over a funeral.
Pay your respects to the dead."

The Tao Te Ching
a modern interpretation of Lao Tzu
perpetrated by Ron Hogan
copyright 2002, 2004
http://www.beatrice.com/TAO.txt

To find out more about Sensei Seth's club visit www.zanshinaikido.co.uk You can e-mail Peter at psethp@yahoo.co.uk

The Inward Journey

After well over forty years studying martial arts my thoughts at the moment are that (as probably been said many times before), the real "message" of martial arts is not to compete with others. But instead to take that hardest of challenges the "Inward Journey" of competing with yourself.

Instead of the "outward" competition, the goal being to fight, win, destroy, kill, take, dominate – the list goes on!

If more energy was devoted to an inward journey in this case using martial arts as a vehicle.  Then maybe a less negative set of outcomes would result.

If you can absorb the "essences" of an art without the encumbrance of the need to compete with others to win and prove yourself/your art superior. 

You can concentrate much more on the nuances and the depth of the art.  Engage with the whole art, the physical, philosophical and ethical aspects which all activities hold. There will of course be the cry, that to learn a martial art you have to ‘compete’ with an opponent to see if the movements/techniques work, to test their effectiveness.  This is valid up to a point, where most people perceive martial arts training as two (may be more) people ‘squaring up’ for a match to test their skills.  Actually most people (me included) usually go through the competition phase during the first few years of training.

There are other ways depending on your attitude and whether you are on an inward journey or outward journey.

If you and your fellow artists are on an inward journey you tend to respect the fact that your partner is freely giving you their body and wellbeing to help your journey to improve your skills, knowledge and aspirations to improve your art.

They trust you to respect their commitment as you trust others in the same way.

The training can is as dynamic and positive as that of traditionally perceived competitive arts and in some ways more "in depth".

Taking out the requirement to "win", to beat your opponent, gives you that extra space to take a deeper look into the art.  The cooperative training method (keeping in mind the reality of combat), allows you to take your art to a different level.

It takes more skill to harmonise with and control an opponent without beating them up.  You are reconciling an aggressive act whilst limiting its negative impact.  Of course this extra skill can be very effectively applied to beat, win, and destroy, etc if necessary.  Hopefully with a positive view this path would just be used as a back up to cope with unforeseen circumstances.

The "inward journey" can be applied to any activity and allows an individual to better understand themselves.  They can develop a better sense of perspective, a balance and better sense of self. Maybe get a glimpse of themselves as others see them and allow them to develop into the person they would like to be seen as?

You also develop other skills, patience, empathy, tolerance, understanding body language, negotiation etc.  The ability to recognise, address, manage and reconcile aggressive behaviour so reduce the need for physical action. Especially useful as you get older – the older I get I feel I would tend to ‘over react’ with the violence to compensate for the physical "dimming" age brings.  Not a good thing.   

Conflict management/resolution training is also useful to help pull all your accumulated skill and knowledge together and keep you abreast of the legal implications of conflict – protects you from the law.

To find out more about Sensei Peter Seth's club visit www.zanshinaikido.co.uk You can e-mail Peter at psethp@yahoo.co.uk

The space between...

One of the greatest ever Martial Artists was Morihei Ueshiba

(1883 – 1969).  He was an expert at a number of Martial Arts, which as common perception goes, after an experience of ‘personal enlightenment’ (Satori) he amalgamated into the martial art of Aikido.

Today millions of Aikido enthusiasts practice the techniques he adapted and developed, thinking it the way of the Art.

When in fact his message can be misinterpreted.  They only copy some refined techniques from other arts, which he used to enable students to practice Aikido on a technical level.  Giving them a ‘key’ and a path to follow, leading them to the door of the truth.  His real revelation was in fact the discovery of taking control of ‘the space between’.  Initially in a physical sense but then as the revelation unfolded he saw the parallels with all areas and aspects of life.

His control of ‘the space between’, his timing and his innate humanity allowed him to master the space and not be at any time in a vulnerable position.  He could blend with energies and bring them into harmony and balance.  He only used his experience and techniques to bring closure to his movements when necessary.

I am sure he would have said something like – ‘There is no me or you, only us, together, as one energy in harmonious flow along the energy stream of life’. 

A few other Martial Artists have also discovered this.  Bruce Lee for example, understood and had the same insight, albeit from a different perspective.  But all paths lead to the same truth eventually.

So it is not techniques that are important, at best they are only the ‘full stops’ at the end of the ‘energy’ sentence as it were.  See the attack before it develops (even in the mind of your opponent). Be somewhere else before it arrives (be where your opponent does not want you to be).  Blend with and balance their negative energy and lead them to realisation.
See the ‘form’ - Control the space.

So, maybe the secret to most things in life in general, is to control the space between, not the person, object or situation?  This applies to all areas of life – Physical, mental, emotional, behavioural, psychological, moral, ethical etc.
An example of the physical could be in combat, where you first ‘see the form’- the intent and manner of attack before it is developed (ideally before it forms properly in your opponents mind) -  (Sen No Sen – Before the Before).  Ensure you control the space by being in a ‘between’ position, a position your opponent does not want you to be.  They will instinctively know and have judged their correct timing, position and distance from you to deliver an effective powerful attack.  You, the defender must ‘see’, first the ‘intent’, then the ‘form’ before it is delivered and move into a position to break you opponent’s rhythm and spatial control so they are ‘in between’ good distance and timing.

Usually a pre-emptive half step in the appropriate direction (area of space) is enough to disrupt and unbalance an attack. You catch them ‘out of phase’ as it were.  You now control the ‘space’ and can lead (or even combine with) and neutralise the energy within it.

An attacker’s energy can be neutralised to varying degrees by blending with their energy.  As mentioned, their timing, balance and also direction can be affected to such an extent they have no viable base which with to continue.  They will be (depending on your blending), ‘without energy’ – they will be ‘in the void’.

An analogy:  A ball/object thrown in the air has mass, energy, timing and direction on the way up and also on the way down (slightly more – gravity).  A balloon may be a simpler example of the state you are trying to get your opponent in – light and easily moved.

But – there will be a split second at the top of the trajectory when relative to its surroundings it has no kinetic energy, just potential energy.  Relatively speaking it has no mass, direction, neutral time/distance therefore no energy to directly affect its surroundings. 

You can with practice be able to get your opponent extended beyond his balance, outside of his timing, going in more than one direction at the same time with his energy dissipating ‘every which way’.  In this way he will be unable to carry out his perceived attack, you will have harmonised and neutralised his efforts.

Its then up to you how you proceed?

These principles can be used in either a positive or negative manner in all areas of life.

 Positive - Imagine using the same principle in an argument, debate, business negotiation or the many other fields of life where a fair and equitable outcome is desired.

 Negative - Or as is so often done, to control or gain unfair advantage over others.

There have been many treatises written over the ages and all illustrate in so many words the fact that it is the ‘space between’ in its many forms which affects and connects all things.  By controlling this you can affect and control this connection and thereby, what is connected to it.

See for example:         The Art of War - Tsun Tsu. 

The Book of Five Rings –  Minamoto Musashi.

 NB:  Please read ‘become’ instead of ‘control’ the space between. 

If you ‘become the space’ everything in that space is yours, any other energy coming into that space does not belong and relies on you for its integrity.

(I’m not happy with the word ‘control’, it implies direct attachment to others and competition rather than harmony).

 The Analogy of Music:

 Imagine music without the ‘spaces’ of silence between the sounds, the gaps between the notes. Without the spaces there would be constant noise, which may vary in pitch and intensity but would be chaotic and unbearable.  These spaces set the time/timing, rhythm and beat of the music, which in turn affects/controls the whole composition.  So influence in this area of the ‘space/s between’, effectively allows the leading of all these energies.  You become the ‘conductor of this orchestra of energy’.  

To find out more about Sensei Peter Seth's club visit www.zanshinaikido.co.uk You can e-mail Peter at psethp@yahoo.co.uk

Keep your windscreen clean!

In all martial arts (I am sure this also parallels all areas of life), practitioners can visit many different classes, recognise the techniques and training and feel comfortable with the practice.

But, is this wrong?  Should not art be taught at each class, which reflects the instructor’s individual knowledge, understanding, interpretation and feel for their art.

If an instructor is sincere in his quest for the art, each class should be different, individual and unique. Each should, when the basics have been absorbed, move constantly on, reminding and encouraging their students to create and develop their own art.  Only in this way will any art (thing) grow and flourish.

If you practice in an environment which concentrates solely on techniques, gradings (belts) and status = ego, you may end up with many student black belts who are good technicians.  But, being so self-absorbed and encased in the ‘system’, you will never move on to the level of an artist who strives to become the art, ‘being’, instead of just ‘doing’.

Technicians, no matter how good, just keep the ‘machine’ running, usually along a single road.  Their single-minded focus on the workings (mechanics) of the machine keeps them from noticing that the windscreen has become dirty and the artistic brakes are being applied.  Consequently, their vision is obscured and journey restricted and very little real progress is being made.  They only see the road ahead and the many other roads are missed.

Open your mind, adjust/release the brakes, clean the windscreen and see beyond the machine.

See all roads, explore, get out and walk round.  All roads weave in and around each other, it is easy to move back and forth bringing back new experience and knowledge with which to make your art.  Don’t restrict yourself to travel just one road no matter how familiar and comfortable it is.

In fact don’t just restrict yourself to travel many roads, it’s two-dimensional.  Spread your wings, be unconventional and fly, soar into the air, use every dimension life offers.  Engage your very being in the spirit of whatever art you practice (especially the art of life) and assist and encourage others to fly even higher and further than you.

Don’t just ‘do it’.  ‘Feel it’ then ‘be it’.  Easy to say, very hard put into practice – but try!

To find out more about Sensei Peter Seth's club visit www.zanshinaikido.co.uk You can e-mail Peter at psethp@yahoo.co.uk

Time shifting...

Try and view ‘far things near’ and ‘near things far’.   In doing this you can attempt and sometimes succeed to manipulate events by mentally adjusting the time scale of the events. In general ‘world terms’ time is perceived as a constant, moving inexorably onwards without pause or control by anything.  But, it is also only a figment, a construct of the human brain.  Time is relative to our thoughts, what we are thinking, where we are, what we are doing, where we are moving, at what speed and direction. 

All this is relative to everything else around us. Therefore our thoughts should be able to alter perceived time if we can learn and adapt to certain perspectives.  Ie: The ‘Far things near’ and the ‘Near things far’ principle. The time frames which contain certain events and the actions within those events can be viewed ‘out of time’.  Much as a video clip which you can speed up or slow down, zoom in and out of at will, in your own time.

Imagine someone is close to you and launches an attack – you have your ‘video remote control’ switched on in your head – you press the ‘slow’ button and alter the relative perceived speed of the attack to visualise danger and response ahead of any contact.

Equally, if someone is ‘far’ from you.  You then activate your mental video remote control to fast forward, as though the full scenario has already unfolded. This will again manipulate relative ‘mental time’ allowing you to ‘see’ ahead of the event and address the situation in your time and out of your potential opponents’ time.

‘Response’ is possibly the wrong word, as you are perceiving, starting and finalising the event before it has physically taken place. 

This ‘zanshin’ (awareness) is essential in combat situations.  But, the same sort of ‘time - shift’ effect can equally be modified to suit almost any life situation. Essentially be aware of the rhythms and timing of things, people and situations around you.  Be ‘tuned in’, as it were to the timing and rhythms of life and you can blend and flow easily and hopefully peacefully through life. Until the time comes when you are confronted with the need for more positive action, which you should be able to handle using the same approach.

‘Sen No Sen’ is Japanese term which attempts to describe this - meaning ‘Before, Before’.

One explanation may be that the human brain can somehow speed up its processing when initiated by the chemical messages generated in extreme stress situations.  Also partition as it were, different functioning levels of awareness, isolating distinct areas relevant to particular situations. Where perception, thought and action processes are compressed closer together? Different levels of intuitive mental acuity may be developed which function to protect us. 

These intuitive ‘gifts’ are probably born in us to varying degrees, but we are also able to harness and develop them through training and exposure to ‘situations’.  (Training is after all simulating ‘situations’).

I’m sure we have all heard of individuals with ‘natural timing’ and a natural intuition, being able to be ‘in tune’ with people and situations.  Successful sportspersons, boxers etc are good examples of the physical – The boxer Mohammed Ali is had a natural timing and rhythm plus that something else which enabled him to dominate other fighters even if they were bigger and more powerful. This ‘gift’ is of course not limited to the physical arena of combat, it covers all aspects of life. Throughout history examples of the application of ‘Sen no Sen’ can be seen.  Sun Tsu, Alexander the Great, and the many great politicians and diplomats throughout the ages all had this ability to varying degrees.  As I believe do we all – to what level, well that depends on nature, inherited traits, awareness, sphere of activity/life we are in, the amount and quality of training and practice we do pertinent to our needs etc.

The idea for this blog came from an answer I gave to a question on an internet forum (WWW.AIKIWEB.COM).   There are a lot of theories about this sort of phenomenon but I think we are all capable of being in that state, of moving/being ‘out of time’ relative to what’s going on around us.   I used a similar example to the one in the first internet post in my first book ‘The Far Between’.  The actor Richard Griffiths had a similar experience on his motorbike and sidecar when he was a young actor travelling across the North Yorkshire moors in England.  In avoiding an oncoming bus he left the road and was heading towards a cliff edge.  He related that in those few seconds, time seemed to stretch out into what seemed like minutes and seemed to allow him more time to regain control and escape shaken but unhurt.

This is a print out of the last of an in depth discussion on a related topic which I answered regarding ‘Time shifts.

time shift" effect

In the "to look at opponent's eyes or not" thread (HTTP://WWW.AIKIWEB.COM/FORUMS/SHOWTHREAD.PHP?T=5920) George S. Ledyard mentioned "time shift" effect that interested me.
I experienced that couple month ago when I was driving on 101 in carpool at my usual speed 75mph and somebody cut right in front of me. For some reason I was very calm and found myself in an "observer" situation. My body was working by itself and my mind was looking at it as a third-party. Time stopped and I remember every millisecond.
First my body hit the breaks, then when car was very close maybe a meter or two from bumping my foot released the breaks to avoid a drift (my car does not have ABS and maybe that saved me) and I turned the wheel moving the car into emergency lane. When I passed the car I thought should I cut the freak or not (this is the first time my brain intervented, probably because the danger was over), I cut right in front of the car (to my shame) and hit the gas.
To me that lasted for several seconds, but when I looked at my wife, she hadn't had the time to feel scared. Only after couple of seconds we realized what happened. She was shocked, to calm her down I started to sing. I was very satisfied for being calm in a danger.
Could anybody comment or explain that phenomenon?

Re: "time shift" effect

Look at far things near and near things far'. - you can put your thoughts through time and picture events out of what appears to be 'normal sinc'. If you are lucky/on the ball/aware, you can in effect 'react in advance' if that makes sense. Its actually 'working zanshin' and is the state we are all training to achieve. It is already there in us, but too many people cloud their minds and train to 'achieve' a certain goal or objective they 'focus' too much on their ego and achievements instead of just letting go - enjoy - dance the dance without trying to get the steps perfect. Enter the 'flow', enjoy - sometimes the greatest things are achieved with the least effort in no TIME at all!
Sorry, bit of a ramble - but?

To find out more about Sensei Peter Seth's club visit www.zanshinaikido.co.uk You can e-mail Peter at psethp@yahoo.co.uk