June, 2003
The Third Option
Previous Issues
Last month's Nikyo Monthly featured an article on War and Aikido. At the end of it, readers were invited to submit their own thoughts on this topic. The following comes from Judy Warner.
I agree with Jim that I would rather have aikidoists
in my armed services than anyone else. Since my first days in Aikido I
have listened to stories of Tohei Sensei and the care he took of his men,
using his one-point, during WWII. Aikido asks us to use our minds and
our bodies appropriately, to the best of our abilities. This is what I
want in an armed force. If you read some of Richard Heckler’s writings
on his work with the special forces in our military, you quickly learn
that Aikido training has had many desirable benefits. Richard reports
decreases in violent behavior, among peers and at home. The assumption
is also that these men will be better prepared in the event of war. I
guess we shall now have data forthcoming on the accuracy of that assumption.
There is a different question that might be asked. It is where I find debate within the Aikido community. Whether war is the best response if we apply Aikido principles. From my perspective, to that question the answer is not really. But it appears to be the best that we are capable of at the moment.
If you use the analogy of unbendable arm, there are three
alternatives: no energy, tension, and energy flowing. To have had no response
to 9/11 would have been analogous to no energy or limpness and a non-Aikido
response. I see our response of warfare as akin to the second response
of tension in response to stimuli. Stronger than nothing but not the strongest
response. I waited after 9/11 and again as we moved steadily towards the
Iraq War for a leader to emerge with a true Aikido response. It never
happened. I think of the Terry Dobson story on the train – the best
expression of Aikido principles in the international arena would create
a similar scenario where technique is never needed. But that alternative
never emerged. It as though as nations our Aikido ranks are too low for
us to embody the art so completely that a non-war solution would emerge.
Sensei speaks of Aikido as helping us to be the best we can be. I sincerely
believe we are trying to be the best we can be. My hope is that as a world
we continue to grow and learn so we move towards that third option where
the ‘Larrys’ of the world would never need to fight.
It's
a Boy!
Jordan Paul Lahue was born to Paul Lahue and his wife Karen on June 2. Jordan weighed in at a hefty 9 pounds, 11 ounces (the exact same weight as his cousin, Matthew), and measured 20.5 inches. Mom is doing well and Jordan's sisters are said to be extremely excited. Congratulations Karen and Paul!
Jonathan Bannister
Visit
The found of the Rochester dojo, Jonathan Bannister, will soon be in Rochester to teach. The seminar will be held Saturday and Sunday, June 21 & 22. Here is the class schedule: On Saturday, children's class from 9-10, general adults and teens from 10:15-12:15. Lunch will be served in the dojo. Then general adults class from 2-4. There will be a pot luck dinner Saturday night. Sunday morning we will have an advanced class for brown and black belts from 9-10. Then general adults class from 10-12. Fee for the seminar is $50 for the whole weekend including Saturday lunch, or $25 per class. If you are paying separately for lunch, the charge is $5. Scholarships are available, so please see Judy or Jim if you want to come but can't afford it.
Recent
Testing
The following people recently tested for their next rank. For 6th Kyu, Michael Butts, Annie Heckel, John Lloyd, and David Simmons. And for 5th Kyu, Will Knight. Everyone did a fine job. Congratulations on earning your next rank!
Upcoming Events
Beginner's Class, Wednesday, June 4, 7 PM.
Extra Teen Class, Wednesday, June 11, 7 PM.
Test Prep Class, Wednesday, June 18, 7 PM.
Weapons Class, Wednesday, June 18, 8 PM.
Jonathan Bannister Seminar, June 21-22.
Testing, Tuesday June 24 7 PM and Wednesday June 25, 7 AM.
Video Night, Thursday June 26, 8:30 PM.
Open Mat, Friday June 27, 5:45 PM.
Test Prep Class, Wednesday, July 2, 7 PM.
Summer Camp with Maruyama Sensei, July 25-28.
Sensei in Rochester, August 2 & 3.
The whole art of teaching is only the art
of awakening the natural curiosity of young minds
for the purpose of satisfying it afterwards.
- Anatole France