On my personal blog, I detailed our Aikido lesson that focused directly upon the role of the mind within physical conflict. You may read it here: Zen and Aikido: An Exercise
Aikido, like many martial arts, is often simply understood as a system of self-defense. We cannot say that this is erroneous since, in fact, that is often how it is taught. In my own view, though, Aikido is essentially Zen practice under duress, the study of one's self within the context of physical threat, built over a framework of physical jujitsu techniques. Just as Zen koan practice seeks the spontaneous and appropriate response that resolves a question, Aikido seeks the spontaneous and appropriate response that resolves a physical threat. What would stand in the way of success in either is a matter of our study at Sword Mountain Aikido at the Baltimore Zen Center.
Please feel free to read and comment here or there, and consider joining us in our practice!
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