The Art of Peace

I wish you all peace and contentment over the Christmas/New Year break. A word from O'Sensei is appropriate here, I think:

The Art of Peace that I practice has room for each of the World's eight million gods, and I cooperate with them all. The God of Peace is very great and enjoins all that is divine and enlightened in every land.

Nakazono Memorial Aikido Event 2007

Just got an early warning about an Aikido event in October 2007. It's an open Aikido course to be held in Neath, South Wales, to celebrate the work of Masahilo Nakazono Sensei. It's being organized by the same group that held the very successful Kenshiro Abbe Memorial Aikido course, held last year at Crystal Palace.

For more details, click on the weblink, or email nakazonocourse@aol.com.

End of the Season

Well, no Aikido tonight. Last week was the last of the season, and unfortunately I missed it due to a friend visiting from the US. So now we have a long break, until the 2nd week of January, so we can contemplate and let our bodies heal. Valuable especially for my friend Yama San, who also practices Judo; it's a long way down from those hip throws.

Still, there's the Aikido Christmas party at the weekend, and we'll get together with all our families so that we can all at least talk about Aikido.

From the Hagakure

When I was young, I kept a "Diary of Regret" and tried to record my mistakes day by day, but there was never a day when I didn't have twenty or thirty entries. As there was no end to it, I gave up. Even today, when I think about the day's affairs after going to bed, there is never a day when I do not make some blunder in speaking or in some activity. Living without mistakes is truly impossible, but this is something that people who live by cleverness have no inclination to think about.