Photo: Aikido Yuishinkai Tokyo Year End Party
(click on photo for larger view)
One of the Joys of practicing Aikido is the opportunity to learn together with people in a Common Cause.
Aikido is a martial art often defined as the Way of Harmony with the Universe.
合 (Ai: Harmony, Unity)
氣 (Ki: Energy, Universe)
道 (Dō: Way, Path)
This photo was taken at our dojo's year end party in Japan, with Aikido Yuishinkai founder Sensei Maruyama Koretoshi at the center.
The aura of the group is a happy one, coming from our gratitude in being able to be together with Maruyama Sensei and to train in the marvelous Way of Aikido.
Maruyama Sensei gave us some deep insights into the origins of another Japanese word for happiness (shiawase 幸), which comes from the meaning combining two other characters:
志 (Shi: intention, cause, mission)合わせ (Awase: joining together)
Moreover, Shi (志 kokorozashi) is written with the characters meaning Mind of the Samurai (心 ＋ 士).
The Way of Aikido joins people together in a common cause, which because you never quit or graduate from, becomes a way of life.
When people come together in happiness on the surface, but below the surface are actually seeking their own individual happiness, something happens over time that reveals the disharmony of the group. This ends in tension, stress, conflict, and separation, and deviation from the original Path of Harmony.
What binds people together and keeps them together is an understanding of the original meaning of Shiawase, the joy of joining together in a common cause.
This cause can be great or small, can involve a large group, a small group, a couple, or even an individual who has joined with something greater than him or herself.
Mohandas K. Ghandi said that, Happiness is when what you think, what you say, and what you do are in harmony. This authenticity was also the secret of his ability to lead others, to speak for hours without notes, and to change the world.
2009 has been a difficult year for many people. But as we look back we see that despite the challenges, hurdles, and hardships, perhaps even thanks to these, we have emerged stronger and better for it, and have much to be grateful for.
Keep this in mind and seek harmony as you enjoy family gatherings, year end parties, and celebrations together with the people with whom you share a common cause.
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