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THIS IS NOT MY NEXT POST!
There is an old saying that when it comes to motivation there is the “stick” approach and the “carrot” approach. The “stick” is negative reinforcement. That is, something negative (like getting hit with a stick) that will be removed if one accomplishes a goal. The “carrot” is positive reinforcement. That is, something positive (like getting a carrot) what will be given if one accomplishes a goal.
HAVE A CARROT!
Simple vs Easy
Aiki really is simple! I’ve already outlined the essential elements of Aiki within a few posts. They are pretty easy to understand. I would say that they are even “simple.” They are simple in the same sense that riding a unicycle on a tight rope is simple. A)Keep your center of balance over the point where the tire contacts the ground. B) Keep that center of gravity aligned over the tight rope. Simple!
Aiki really isn’t easy for most to develop consistently at first. Just like the unicycle/tightrope example above one will likely understand what is required to complete the task quickly. AND, one will likely experience a measure of success upon first try. That “measure” will likely fall short of ones ultimate expectations, but it will be success never the less. One simply must progress from there.
Aiki is efficient, easy, and simple! Ultimately Aiki is very efficient. Therefore, once learned, using Aiki is the easiest way to do many things. And, as is self-evident, it IS simple.
You Can Do This!
Being able to Aiki does not require any special gift, talent, or ability. It is available to all.
It is going to take hard work, perseverance, and it is going to take a lot of thought. But that is true of any significant undertaking. You can do it!
You have already have the Keys to the Kingdom
– □ The essential elements of most importance have already been presented in this blog
– □ There are people out there willing to share
It kind of reminds me of a story in the Lotus Sutra of a man that traveled far and wide to find a precious gem, only to find that it had been sewed into hem of his garment form the very beginning. If you are reading this you probably already possess the two things necessary to attain the ability to Aiki: A) A body/mind capable of producing Aiki, and B) The requisite knowledge necessary to know how to Aiki.
Experience (Real Results) is KING
– □ This is what you should look for in a teacher: Someone with the knowledge and ability to Aiki, and someone with the knowledge and ability to lead you to Aiki
– □ This is what your teacher should be striving to give you: The simplest and most direct method to learn the knowledge and gain the ability to Aiki
– □ This is what you should be striving to give yourself: Your job is, as a student, is to take responsibility for your learning. This is not a responsibility towards one’s teacher, this is a responsibility towards one’s self.
Just like teaching, learning is never a passive activity. Part of this learning responsibility is proving to one’s self that learning is taking place. I strongly suggest that this should be evidenced empirically. Humans have an enormous capacity for self-deception. This is true of both teachers and students. Therefore, to assure to one’s self (and hopefully to a caring, responsible teacher) that progress is being made some form of empirical measurement is invaluable. This measurement can be physical (a measurement of force, length, etc.) or statistical (analysis of performance over time in competition for example.)
So, what I am saying is:
I AM FULLY CONFIDENT IN YOUR ABILITY TO LEARN, DEVELOP AND PROGRESS!
Next post should be up in a day or two! THE AIKI BODY/MIND
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