Modern Aikido
The Relationship of Traditional Budo to Modern Life

by Philip Greenwood

Ancient martial arts were certainly of practical value in an era before guns and airborne missiles, but if ones life were in true danger today you would certainly opt for some form of modern weaponry.  When it comes to martial art practice today the obvious question is "of what use is it?"

Involvement in Aikido practice involves several possible dimensions.  Many practitioners derive their primary benefits from one or two of these dimensions.  However, in the process of Aikido training, under the guidance of a well-rounded teacher, one will experience all of these dimensions as a matter of course.

The Ethical Principles of Aikido
Many people are drawn to Aikido for reasons beyond simply becoming a good martial artist.  Those who seek nothing much beyond fighting skills have difficulty grasping the richness or purpose of Aikido.  The ethical foundations of Aikido are acceptance, tolerance and unity.  Aikido asks us to take up the challenge of seeing all people as one family, even our enemies, and to treat them accordingly even in the face of conflict.  In Morihei's utopian view we are actively creating peace in the world through Aikido.  This is a major departure from martial arts as usual and is the primary reason why Aikido is unique.

The Moral Principles of Aikido
Ueshiba taught that, "Aikido is not for correcting others. It is for correcting yourself."  This clearly directs our practice toward polishing our own character rather than focusing on achieving temporary victories over others.

It is possible to view Aikido as a kind of alchemical practice.  When we engage ourselves deeply in a process we are invariably transformed by that process.  Aikido is a martial art of brutal origins which we, through our practice transform into an art of reconciliation.  The transmutation of lead into gold becomes the transformation of violence into peace

It is not possible to transform something which you do not understand.  In order to create peace one must study the process by which peace is transformed from conflict.  One can say that they know how to bring peace only when they understand the process by which this is done.  The process of transforming the world is the process of transforming ourselves.

The Spirit of Aikido
Many of Morihei's lectures were esoteric and difficult to understand to say the least, even for the students who had the privilege of studying with him personally for many years.  It is important to realize that the learning, abilities and possible transformations one makes through Aikido are not the result of intellect, but rather experience.  It is not necessary to "become Japanese" or even to comprehend the more esoteric aspects of Morihei Ueshiba's teaching in order to absorb the benefits and virtues of Aikido.

Morihei taught that Aikido is misogi.  This is a word that refers to various forms of ritual purification such as fasting, meditation and washing rituals to mention a few.  This means that the very practice of Aikido is meant as a spiritual purification; an alchemical transmutation of our baser self to our higher self.

The Etiquette of Aikido
Aside from its basic moral and ethical directives, Aikido does not have any doctrines or dogma.  People of all religious, non-religious or philosophical origins can find common ground in its simple and practical truths.  However, Aikido training is structured in specific rituals which are common in Japanese culture.  These rituals are not religious (although many westerners unfamiliar with them may think them to be).  It is my experience that martial rituals help us to achieve greater awareness and sensitivity.  Americans in general have increasingly little exposure to situations requiring strict behavior and etiquette so they have become increasingly insensitive and are often viewed as such outside of our own country.

Japanese culture and etiquette is based on budo or the arts of war.  As Mitsugi Saotome, a leading disciple of Morihei Ueshiba has said, "An insensitive samurai was a dead samurai."  One must always know what behavior is appropriate.  Etiquette helps us to know where we are, what we are doing and why we are doing it.  It helps us know where other people are and what they should be doing as well.  This is a very basic instinct to develop in martial art training.  Etiquette is the most basic aspect of practice.  Every action and every technique is an expression of respect, even for the person on whom it is applied.  Without this there is not budo, only brutality.

The Budo (Martial Art) of Aikido
it must always be remember that Aikido is budo - martial art.  The truth of our practice can only be as valid as the truth of that budo.  Aikido must never be done as anything less than true budo.  If we practice without the understand that each technique we do is determining life and death then our Aikido is a sham.

Our technique must always evolve.  Different does not always mean better, but better will always mean different.  Therefore, Aikido is constantly subject to change.  That being said, being a good martial artist is more about the person you become through your training, not the people you can beat.  It is unlikely that a small women with any amount of martial art training could ever win against a professional boxer or fighter.  However, she can gain a significant degree of martial skill which could help her to possibly defend against or escape from an assailant.

The techniques of Aikido came primarily from the samurai combat art of Aiki-jujitsu.  They have been modified in small ways to allow less injury and more vigorous application in practice.  They have also been modified to reflect the ethical and spiritual ideals of the art.  However, everything about how these techniques are accomplished is informed from the blood drenched battle fields of feudal Japan.  Instead of killing or injuring our opponent we use this moment to reflect on the foolishness of destruction and forgive them.  The application of each technique in Aikido is essentially an action of forgiveness.  When Aikido is practiced as true yurusu budo (martial art of forgiveness), it develops both an extraordinary martial artist as well as a person of depth and compassion.

Aikido In Everyday Life
The forging of spirit and character in the dojo carries with you into everyday life.  A strong sense of yourself coupled with wisdom, insight, integrity and compassion are qualities anyone would do well to have.  However, these qualities are not come by easily.  They are not available just by wanting them.  They are not obtained just by being in agreement with the concepts.  Steel is forged in fire and water.  Strength of character is forged by nothing less.

Kindness is only kindness when it is backed by strength.  Compassion is only compassion when the capacity to do harm exists and is not acted on.  The challenge of creating peace in our lives, in our society or in our world requires strength, sacrifice and commitment.

Every day provides us with opportunities to many ways, large and small, to apply the skills and character acquired through practice.  Conflicts within our own minds as well as between people take on an entirely new perspective.  We begin to see the events of our life not as a series of blessings and curses, but simply as challenges to be met.

Keiko, Keiko, Keiko (Practice, Practice, Practice)
This is an old saying in martial arts.  It means that our practice is never done.  We are all on an endless journey through life.  How well that journey goes depends on how well we equip ourselves.  Taking a trip without preparing will probably not result in a pleasant experience.  Aikido is the process of continually equipping ourselves for life's challenges by being a person of strong character, natural wisdom and boundless compassion.