Wednesday, May 27, 2009

Secrets Stolen by Aikido Founder

By Al Case

The founder of Aikido, O Sensei, was once confronted by a student. O Sensei, I dont see the relationship of the triangle, square and circle. O Sensei nodded and smiled and said, There are some secrets that must be stolen.

This advice, coming from a spiritual leader, must have seemed terribly contradictory. What on earth, one can ask, did O Sensei really mean? What was his intent when he advised his student to steal.

The meaning of his words was that the student must learn to observe if he was going to truly learn. If he could observe other people in action, he might see the triangle, the square and the circle. If he could observe his own techniques, then he could understand these three mystical figures.

There are lessons in the martial arts that one must get from an instructor. Other lessons should be learned by oneself, with practice, without an instructor. This student of O Sensei had obviously reached a point where he need to look beyond the instruction of others, and begin to teach himself.

You can describe anything in the universe using these three symbols. Simply everything in the universe can be analyzed through these three geometrical figures. From tires to drawers to three legged stools, the architecture of the universe may be understood.

In the martial arts you will find the triangle describing the structure of the body. Every two bones that are joined together make up a triangle. Even the way you stand, foot, foot and Tan Tien (the one point, a place of energy below the navel) describes a triangle.

A circle is even easier, as it describes every possible motion of the hands. Whether you block or strike, kick or throw, you will find a circle. To move the hands without making a circle is actually quite difficult.

Now we must consider the square, and unfortunately, the square has no purpose in the martial arts. Maybe you can find a square on a piece of paper, or a door, but the martial arts obviously has no square. Or, perhaps you have arrived at a martial peak wherein you can steal a square.

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