When I tested for San Dan (3rd degree Black Belt) I stayed with Fred Haynes sensei and his family in Toronto. During my stay we had many great training sessions and some even better conversations of his travels and views of what a senior instructor needs to do and was following the direction from Kancho sensei as his role is helping others find their Aikido and help “grow instructors.” (Photo: http://aikidoikeda.com.br)This memory came back to me when I read East toward Dawn: A Woman’s Solo Journey Around the World by Nan Watkins. The first quote below struck me with the wonderful hospitality I experienced staying with Fred sensei and the ideal of tradition and passing down what you’ve learned to the next generation.
“You won’t repay me directly, but you will do things for others, just as I have done for you.” With that statement she showed me a path that I have taken-a lifetime of mentoring and friendship with young people, many of whom were foreign students in America, as I had once been in Munich. (pg. 19)The next ideal was of how one evolves and grows in the medium they’ve chosen to express oneself. Having known Fred sensei for more than 15 years now and countless training sessions, clinics and conversations, it is always a pleasure to see his evolution as an Aikidoka, but more importantly as a wonderful mentor, friend, supporter and human being.
I think of the role of the artist in society, of how the artist stands outside the mainstream, exiled as recorder of human experience, critic of human behavior, town crier, visionary…No matter when, no matter where, each of us is on a journey, day by day, year by year, whether we are conscious of it or not. The artist’s journey is purposeful; the artist may not be a tidy citizen, but the artist knows why he or she is here: to tell a story, to awaken our minds and hearts to the bigger story of the universe beyond. I admire the artist, who with heightened ability of expression is able to articulate the pain and joy of the human journey through writing, painting, sculpture or music. (pgs. 29-30)During my trip in 1999 I also had the great privilege and honor of training and testing with Jim Murray sensei. His home and dojo are located at Base Borden and it reminded me of my family’s retreat in northern Minnesota. One has the opportunity to smell the fresh air during the day, see the stars on a clear evening and hear the call of a loon as the moon reflects across the lake.
I look out the window at the sky and know that though I am in a foreign country on the other side of the earth, the sun, moon and stars are still there as my familiars. (pg. 49)
Taking time each day to retreat from the spoken word brings us in touch with the natural world and with the universal spirit. Perhaps I am able to live so easily among these people on the other side of the world because we are communicating at a level beyond our surface differences. I am with people whose greeting and farewell refer to the divine qualities within each of us. It is in that divine spirit beyond words, beyond language, that we have much to share. (pg. 61)
As I reflect back on the training in Toronto two key themes arose: where was I training that day and where were we going to eat, followed by some cold beverages. I trained with Fred sensei, Alister Thomson sensei, Tim Webb and Rod Rhem sensei, Seibukan Dojo, Jim Murray sensei, Base Borden, Mark Handley-Derry sensei, Shinseikan Aikido Club, David Stinson sensei, Seidokan and the many Aikidoka training at each of the respective dojos.
Throughout history, enlightened souls have shown us in their words and actions how to live in harmony with fellow humans and with all life on earth. Iris Murdoch, the British philosopher and novelist, said it well in one of her essays: “Love is the imaginative recognition of, that is respect for, the otherness of another person.” Respect for the otherness-a beautiful and necessary aspect of love, of understanding and relating to all kinds of people. One of my childhood heroes, Albert Schweitzer, took this thought one step further. He taught “reverence for life,” extending respect beyond humankind to include all forms of life. (pg. 75)
The final thought I had was how far the Shuharikan and Aikido in St. Paul has come in the last 10 years: scores of people who've trained at the dojo, the number of individuals who tested for Kyu and Dan ranking, hosting Kancho sensei and the many wonderful people we've hosted and met during our travels. The greatest treasures have been the deepening of friendships with Gordie, Glen, Jim and Maggie and with all those we've trained with and have been able to share the mat and celebrate with over cold beverages.
…so have I traversed in this last decade of my life the world of emotion-from deepest sorrow to profound joy. I made the journey, step by step, day by day. (pg. 174)
Developing my talents and moving out into the greater world, I learn that the diversity of people-and all forms of life-is to be cherished: the differences between us are insignificant in light of what we hold in common. (pg. 175)
I’m in travel mode, and it’s a wonderful gear to be in. It’s an entirely separate state of mind from that of being rooted in a particular spot. The essence is movement. The challenge is confronting the new. There is no boredom of routine, no daily job to go to, no responsibilities other than myself. (pg. 177)
