Students’ Thoughts and Insights

Mirror Trials

By Ann Gillis

When I first started writing this I thought no problem, I can babble on about anything for a page. As I started writing though it became more difficult, I found myself completing my thought in just a few sentences. The only thing that I think I can write about is what I know best -- my life. I know it sounds conceited and really rather boring, but I have been through a lot this past year. In the past twelve months I have been through a divorce, moved across the country, found a new job and a new place to live. I basically just started over. I know now that this has made me stronger and a better person, but at the time of each trial I really wished that the problems would just fix themselves.

Tang Soo Do I find works much the same way as life. While practicing, I often wish that I would just naturally know the forms. I think how easy it would be if I didn’t have to work so hard to learn it all. Once again the same as is with life -- without the practice or experience I would not become as strong or as knowledgeable.

I was not initially interested in learning Tang Soo Do. In fact I had not even heard of it until about two months ago when I met Jude. In case anyone doubts his ambition, he showed me the dojang on our first date. That should have been my warning, but I found his amount of interest in this so intriguing that I went and watched the next several practices. It was not until Jen started that I even thought about doing it myself. I figured that with another girl there it would not be too bad. It also helped that Jude was giddy as a school girl that I was interested in pursuing his passion.

A little over a month later I am glad that I got involved. I cannot wait to learn more and actually look forward to going regularly. While I am still working on seeing Jude as the teacher in class I feel that this, like all things, will just improve my abilities with time, patience and practice.

Point Of View

By Brad Pier

Last year I went to the eye doctor for a checkup and a new prescription, Reading glasses had become a required nuisance.

A friend had told me about monovision contact lenses, The optometrist told me how the concept worked. One eye is tuned for distance vision, and the other is tuned for close up.

I asked about how the brain adjusts to this change. He said after about two weeks, the brain adjusts to the change. A small percentage of people could not adjust, and went back to conventional lenses.

I said, let’s try it out.

It was a decided change for the first few weeks, my old pattern of seeing was programmed in, Slowly my brain adjusted, and I liked it!

No more reading glasses, things looked newer and sharper.

What does this story have to do with martial arts training?

I was thinking about how the brain can adjust to a major change in just a few weeks. Why does training seem to be a struggle sometimes?

The contact prescription change was a rapid jump, new lenses for two weeks straight. Aikido training takes place for 2 hours at a time. Then it's back to our regular lives, work, school, commitments. My brain makes the adjustments needed. I still try to retain the lessons learned on the mat. MY point of view is changed by the ritual of practice, the blending of uke and nage, the subtle power of turning and redirecting an attack. I always leave practice feeling better than when I went in, more relaxed and centered.

Aikido training does affect my point of view, in a subtle, yet succint way.

Some Thoughts

By Ron D. Garcia

For such a long time I’ve been so involved with the military and just my own life in general that I've forgotten about my past, specifically with the dojo. There were times when I'd look through my closet for something and see my uniform hanging there and get a flashback or two!! But last night Bianca was looking at the dojo's website (which I haven't visited in forever) and I happened to notice her reading the newsletter! She asked me if I ever miss it and do I wish I could still be training there... of course I said yes, but it didn't really hit me until I looked at the website for myself, today. I guess I just want to say thanks to you and to everyone I ever ran into during my time there for the experience they've given me. Sometimes, the situations weren't always good at all (Sensei, I’m sure you know what I’m talking about)!! I guess it wasn't until tonight that I realized just how much I'd actually learned from training in Aikido! Not in technique so much, but the life experiences I'd had there: People coming and going, people dying and people being born, ignorant and highly intelligent people, just a plethora of things I went through. Just life I guess!! But it was an awesome one... and I don't regret one day I ever spent in the dojo at all. I can honestly say that I miss it more now than I ever... EVER did. Whatever happens with the dojo... lack of students, very many unmotivated students, small spaces or big ones... that dojo was, still is and always will be the best one around in my opinion. Technique is something you can get from any dojo and even books... but it was always the people in the dojo who made training possible, people with HIGH motivation to learn, people with dedication and passion for the art. These are the people who are still around... maybe not physically but spiritually, like Aaron Cabrera, who sadly passed away, and others who are still around but cannot get to the dojo anymore because of a commute or a job and so on. The dojo will always be great in my heart because of the caliber of people who stayed for so long and gave so much.

To close, I just wanted to let everyone know, I am horrible at keeping in touch, but I think of you all often and miss it so very much. If anything, tell the newer students and even the ones who've been there for a while: The days that you don't feel like training, are the BEST days to train... and you will only get out of it what you put into it. It's been 5 years since I've been able to train with you all, but everything I've learned there will last me a lifetime!! Thanks for reading guys... I appreciate it and please tell everyone that I said Hello and that I miss them!!

What is Aikido?

By Daniel Mark

Aikido is a martial art that teaches about Ki. What is Ki some people might ask? Ki is energy right below your belly button. Ki helps to extend and relax and put it in your techniques. The techniques come from strikes, punches, and grabs. Once you start your technique you use your Ki. Aikido takes much effort but its fun and challenging. Aikido involves Samurai techniques, because it is Japanese martial art. Aikido also has 2 weapons a Jo and a Bokken, a Jo is a long wooden staff and a Bokken is a wooden Samurai sword. Aikido’s founder was Morihei Ueshiba aka O-Sensei. Now more about Ki: Extending Ki is one important thing in Aikido it helps to push and move when someone is grabbing you etc… Aikido has 5 principles they are; Extend Ki, Weight on your side, Relax, Breath, Focus on your one point. Those are the 5 principles. Your one point is where your Ki energy comes from. You can clearly see what Aikido is about.

Zanshin

By Jason D. Vulcan

Zanshin, pronounced Zahn-shin, was first described to me as “perfect finish”. I understood it to be like the follow through on a baseball player’s swing or a basketball player’s shot. To me it meant finishing a technique, and maintaining good posture and a ready body position. Zanshin is defined in my Aikido Student Handbook as “Unbroken awareness and concentration”. Its literal meaning according to the Basic Aikido Vocabulary guide by Erik Sotnak is “remaining mind / heart”.

In our study of Aikido, we learn to connect with those around us. We connect physically, mentally and once the art is mastered… maybe even with their energy. Study begins with a physical connection as we learn the actual “waza” or techniques of applying joint locks or throws. We later learn to establish a mental connection, maintaining a focus on our partner and their movements throughout a technique. Ideally, we can connect with our partners “ki”; their spirit, energy or life force. Through our connection, we are able to develop an awareness of our partner and their intent, sensing what they are going to do and blending with a potential attack.

Zanshin is the combination of all these things. It means that once we connect with our partner; with how they are moving and what they are doing... we maintain that connection even after we have blended with their attack and neutralized it. While doing so, we keep an awareness of all that is going on around us, never losing the posture and ready body position that will enable us to identify new attacks and move to receive or avoid them.

Zanshin improves our situational awareness; helps us to neutralize an attack while remaining calm, focused and ready for whatever else may come our way. And that may be one of the most important skills in any situation.

Don’t Quit Aikido Early

By: John Mark

When you start Aikido you may think it’s boring because you do the same techniques over and over again. When you think that you may want to quit but don’t. They are practicing the techniques to help you. Once you get 4^th kyu you practice more advanced stuff. Like Jo and Bokken practice. Jo is a staff and Bokken is a sword. You may do a little Jo and Bokken practice before but not as much as you do in 4^th kyu. You also do a lot do a lot of difficult hand techniques. So you really got to pay attention. You do harder break-falls, more techniques that cause you to do a break-fall in the air. Pretty much more of everything; Bokken, Jo practice, and hand techniques. That’s when it starts to get fun. So don’t quit Aikido early. If you do you’ll be missing out on all of the fun stuff.

What Do You Really Know About Referendum C & D?

By Jen Sanford

[Editor’s note: I sincerely apologize to Ms. Sanford that the newsletter came out after the election. I have included her submissions so that others might share in them.]

Everyone has heard about referendum C and D, but does anyone know what it is really about? I didn't... I asked many people and I heard different things from every one of them. I have bounced back and forth on my decision based on other people's interpretation of what they have heard. So, I decided I was going to take it into my own hands to find out what all the debate is about. I have decided to share my research with all of you because this has become quite a personal issue for me. So, here is what I have found.... and PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE vote on Election Day, Tuesday, November 1st! This affects not only our future, but future generations as well.

The first thing I found was that THIS AFFECTS ALL TAXPAYERS. Please don't assume that if you do not own a home this has nothing to do with you - that is a serious misconception, one that even I am guilty of. And, please understand the facts and the repercussions of these referendums before voting on them.

Referendum D can only be passed if C passes since Referendum D allows the state to borrow up to $2.07 billion in bonds from the tax refunds withheld in Referendum C. The bonds are used for transportation, K-12 and higher education funds, and police pensions. Why do they need Referendum D when it says that Referendum C is used for those exact things? The biggest part that bothers me about D is that $175 million will be used for police pensions from a law passed in 1978. Why have they just decided to take care of this now? And why hasn’t it been a problem in the past? (Also, on the blue book website, there is a list of the transportation road repairs that this money will be used for if you would like more information on that. I found it interesting that most of those repairs are lengthening onramps or widening roads, especially when their argument is that it’s cheaper to repair roads now than replace them in the future.)

This all started back in 1992 when the voters passed the TABOR (Taxpayer's Bill of Rights) which allowed the voters to have control over their taxes. It is said that TABOR allows reasonable government growth instead of letting them take over (Have you read 1984? Enough said.)

"TABOR limits the revenue the government can keep to the revenue from the previous year, plus inflation, plus population growth," said John Straayer, political science professor. "It's like if the government had $100 from last year, plus a 2.5-percent increase in inflation, and a 2.5-percent increase in population, then this year the government would have $105."

So, if the government receives more money than allowed, the taxpayers get it back in refunds.

In 2001, Colorado had a recession that lowered revenues for the state which in turn lowered the TABOR limit for the following years and even though they were generating more revenue, they could not keep the money because of the percentage allowance. “If sales tax isn't refunded for the next five years, Adkinson said it wouldn't be a huge difference because the taxpayers haven't seen this refund for the past three years.” So, we aren’t used to getting the refund, so they might as well keep taking it from us, right? Hmm, I didn’t buy it either. This makes no sense to me because if they aren’t allowed to keep our money, why didn’t we get the refunds for the past three years? What have they been doing with our money? And now they are asking for permission to keep it… eh, why not just keep taking it without telling anyone?

They say that if C and D pass, it will not “technically” be a tax increase. They are just keeping our refunds for 5 years. "If this bill passes it changes the law so the people get less tax money and the government gets more tax money," said Max Pappas, director of policy at FreedomWorks. "So I can't see how (people who support C and D) can claim this isn't a tax hike with a straight face."

"C stands for contempt of the intelligence of the voters," Steamboat Springs conservative activist Paul Epley said. "They say it's not a tax increase, but if it's not a tax, they don't need to even put it to a vote." “Epley said among 64 county chairpeople in Colorado, 60 are known to be against C and D. If elected officials want to spend more of the taxpayers' money on higher education or on highway improvements, they should come out and ask for permission in a straightforward yes or no vote, he said. Epley also contended that the notion that TABOR will be restored to its original status after five years is naïve. He said once the excess revenues are restored to the Legislature, they will be used to fund new jobs in government and raise salaries paid to existing government employees. There will be no retreating from that kind of growth in state spending, he contends.”

So, any money the government makes in the next 5 years they get to keep. So, don’t expect your “big refund” in April! The extra money (that actually belongs to you, the taxpayers) will be used towards the programs they have talked about: transportation, schools, police, etc. But, after the 5 years is up, the TABOR cap is put back into effect based on the highest amount reached in the 5 years. So, not only are they keeping or refunds, they are trying to raise the TABOR cap in order to keep more of our money in the future. So, technically this isn’t even a short term tax hike, this is going to affect us for many years until we hit another recession and the same thing happens all over again.

I am not saying the government doesn’t need money, I understand that there are programs that could use the help. Government spending isn’t completely out of control, but “…there are ways to find extra money while continuing to issue refunds to taxpayers.” “There is $100 million of saving possible, and it's more reasonable to cut waste, not important programs," Pappas said. "A study by the Independence Institute found more than $200 million in potential savings."

It has been argued that if these referendums don’t pass, higher education is going to be hit the hardest. "It would have a huge effect if it didn't pass because both C and D have specific funds for higher education," Adkinson said. "With Referendum C, a third of the dollars go to education funds available for need and merit-based scholarships, and to fund the College Opportunity Fund, which the state can't do if it fails." "People tend to make up scare tactics like this to say their particular interest is not going to be funded," Pappas said. "(FreedomWorks) has been involved in four major potential tax increases and in each they claimed that if it didn't go through there would be less money. Each state voted against it, and in every state they found money to support programs." Students, like me, will really feel the effects. We know that we need Colorado to pick up half our tab so that we are able to afford all of the classes we take. There used to be money for college funds, where is it going? "Look at Amendment 23, it mandates that K-12 spending increase whether or not the budget is going up or down," Pappas said. "It comes from the money for higher education."

This is the range on tax refunds over the next 5 years if Referendum C & D do not pass. I don’t know about you, but even with only $35, I know of a few things I could spend it on.

Income Group	2007	2008	2009	2010	2011	TOTAL
Lowest	$35	$53	$88	$79	$95	$350
Highest	$102	$154	$258	$231	$276	$1,021
Average	$49	$74	$124	$111	$133	$491

All information regarding Referendum C and D was found at the following political sites:

http://www.collegian.com/vnews/display.v/ART/2005/10/03/4340b2fb45b98

http://www.leg.state.co.us/lcs/0506initrefr.nsf/Ballot%20Analysis?openview

Find all 2005 ballot information here:

http://www.state.co.us/gov_dir/leg_dir/lcsstaff/bluebook/Default.htm

Having Not Much Fun-Wish I Was There!

By Mark Crary

As you might have noticed, Nikki and I have been missing in action for quite some time now (since February). In case anyone isn't aware, I had to give up my electrical apprenticeship due to financial obligations (IRS), and return to Smelker Concrete Pumping as an operator. I have always liked big machines, and they don't come much bigger than concrete pumps, so in general I do enjoy my work. As with pretty much any job, though, it does have its drawbacks. I'm sure you all have seen the way our city is growing, which is very good for my company, but not so good for my free time. 60 and 70+ hour weeks don't leave much room for obligations outside work, especially during decent weather, which as we all know, is most of the time in our locale. It's true, the checks are nice (money is my friend), but there just isn't enough time left for me to train. We're getting "The Man" paid off, and things are looking up, and we're hoping I won't have to do this too much longer, but this is the way it has to be for now. I try to believe it's not good or bad, it just "is", and this too shall pass. Like my Dad always said, "If it doesn't kill you, it just makes you stronger." It's a good way to look at things, but I think I'm almost strong enough, Dad!

So anyway, I really enjoyed being able to attend testing, even if it was only to watch. I was SO wishing I was on the mat with all of you again, but at least I was able to bask in the glow of Aikido again for a short time. I thought everyone looked great and huge congratulations to all who achieved their next rank! I could most definitely see an improvement in all who were on the mat compared to when we were still training. I know that sometimes it feels like your skills might be taking forever to improve, but believe me, you all are growing in your abilities. Be patient, and pay attention to what is being made available to you now, and I guarantee, you will continue to elevate your skill and understanding of what you are working on now, and quite possibly realize new meaning to things you learned in the past that you thought you understood. You never can tell when you might have an epiphany that makes a new light come on. Just don't give up!

Now to vent, sing the blues, whine...whatever you want to call it. I stopped by the Dojo a while back on a Saturday and caught a little bit of class, and was invited to join the circle at the end of class. It never ceases to amaze me how just being there gives me this happy, warm, peaceful, and yes, even harmonious feel. Is it the people? Is it the place? Don't know-don't care! Working construction, I am constantly surrounded by mega-macho, testosterone dripping men who seem to be out to prove they are the baddest on the face of the planet. So often, it seems that the principles of right and wrong are tossed out the window for the sake of winning. Winning what? I just don't get it, and when confronted with facts and logic, many seem to just go ballistic!! They seem to think that being louder or angrier somehow changes things and makes them right. Huh?? Not everyone is like that, but it is so prevalent that sometimes I feel like I'm drowning in a cesspool of anger, and I find it to be very confusing and frustrating. As if that's not bad enough, I sometimes find myself getting sucked into that vortex, and I let these situations get a hold of my intellect, and I find myself getting enraged over things that really don't matter in the overall scheme of things. What happens then is that when I cool down again, I realize I let these jerks affect who I am, at least for a short time, and then I'm mad at myself. I have always prided myself in my ability to not let those around me affect my mood, decisions, and character. What is happening to me??? Aikido has always helped me to maintain my composure, and to only look at the truth and facts without letting emotion rule my decisions or actions, and the longer I'm away, the harder it gets. I so need that feeling I always had after Keiko. So relaxed, so comfortable and sure of what I have picked up on the mat. After what would seem to be the worst day of my life, I could spend a couple hours on the mat, and everything would be back in perspective. All was always right with the world and I was ready for another day. BRING IT ON!!! But enough of that.

Oh yeah, I almost forgot! Congratulations to Dave Margrave and new bride! Good friend, may you have all the happiness and security I know you deserve. I know the past year or two have been hard, but you made it through (Are you strong enough yet? re: my dad). Enjoy your new-found love, and if you both treat each other as your greatest asset, because you truly are, you can't help but to be living large!

In closing, I would like to offer you all a thought that has helped me keep the rigors of daily life in perspective. When it seems as if life is treating you like you just ran over it's dog, and everything seems to be crushing down on you, just ask yourself one simple question..."WHAT IF THE HOKEY POKEY REALLY IS WHAT IT'S ALL ABOUT?

Remember us fondly, and hope to see you all soon,

Mark and Nikki Crary

The Way of Harmony Part II

By Michael Mark

(Based on a true story)

And so the warrior trained day in and day out with his Master and as he did he noticed a certain calmness began to manifest itself within his being. The most interesting thing to him was that this calmness seemed to manifest itself from his one-point. He found that if he stayed mentally centered in his one-point, known as being centered, that he perceived the world with a new perspective. Though this was not always easily done and he often forgot to do it, he did note that when he succeeded many potentially disturbing things did not bother him at all – they just did not matter. As a warrior he had witnessed many troubling things and indeed been subject to many stresses, some of them life and death, as a result he had become quite good at letting these disturbances go, or releasing them, after they arose in his consciousness. And while this release technique worked quite well, the warrior had noted that he was still faced with these inharmonies until he had successfully released them using his technique. He was astonished to note that these disturbances never even arose at all in his mind when he was properly centered. He was just perpetually calm, even in the most dire situations. The warrior further noted that this calmness further served as a form of leadership by example for those around him, who were not so adept at maintaining their equanimity. It was not lost on him that calmness was leadership.

Of further interest was that not only was he calmer when he was centered, but he also found that he could move existing emotional and mental disharmonies to his one-point and they would vanish, even easier than if he would use his release technique to let them go. This technique went beyond emotions as well. One day, as he was working, he dropped a large stone on his finger, crushing it and popping the nail from its bed. This was excruciatingly painful. At first he had been overcome with pain and then remembering his centering technique he had moved the pain to his one-point and it had miraculously lessened to a dull ache. So again he was amazed that not only emotional and mental but physical pain as well was neutralized by proper concentration on the one-point.

And so as he pondered the implications of what he had learned it came to pass that a great flood came upon a nearby province. This flood greatly devastated the towns and country side and the call went out for aid. So his Master sent the warrior to see if he could help the people in this region, by delivering messages and helping with the communications that would be necessary to begin cleaning up the mess and help those in need. The warrior was pleased to go and looked forward to the challenge. The environment he encountered was quite similar to what he had encountered on his military campaigns. Much, change, chaos, confusion, anger, fear and panic for many various reasons, not all of them related to the disaster. He was fully immersed in this environment and soon began to notice a slight change in his state of calmness. And though he noted that it was occurring the constant haranguing from those he worked with and around slowly and subtly started to draw him from his place of calm. He also noted that because of his calmness he was frequently given the most difficult assignments and loaded up with all sorts of extra labors because others were not able to focus well enough to complete them.

The warrior performed well enough his assignments but was perplexed as to why his state of calmness and detachment was slowly being eroded, if only by small degrees, and he pondered this frequently. Eventually due to the disorganization attendant to the situation he and others were sent away to return to whence they had come, though in his mind there was still much to be done.

Upon his return his Master asked him to relate his experiences. As he related his observations and thoughts from his journey he was ever amazed at his Masters ability to ask deep and penetrating questions with such understanding that the answers quite readily presented themselves to the warrior. One morning at the conclusion of this process, the Master asked him what he had learned from these experiences. And though it had been initially confusing to him, the warrior noted that following the discussions with his Master the lessons had become quite evident.

To his surprise the warrior had learned yet again more about the art of harmony through these experiences. And he related to his Master that through these experiences he had leaned the following lessons:

Master he said, “I learned that I should think harmonious thoughts.” And he further elaborated, “I learned that to be in harmony one must learn to stay in their lane. I should not try and fix everything, especially things over which I have no control. I should engage that which is assigned to me, that which I am in control of, for only those things which I have control over do I have the possibility of correcting. Further, I should not allow others to suck me into their grief, despair, panic, anger or confusion. To relate too closely to these people and attitudes is to lose my harmony, and adopt these inharmonious ways. I will not think, dwell, cogitate or otherwise allow any inharmonious thought to remain in my consciousness or mind. To give attention to inharmony is to give it life within and without of myself. To focus on harmony is to become that which I think about, which not only aids me but those around me.”

“I also learned to stay in my Center. Focus on my consciousness. I have complete control over what I think, feel and do, and only limited control over others, if even that. I will focus on my one-point, my center and maintaining my harmony, and then I am able to objectively focus on my tasks and missions. I learned to give energy and attention to my state of calmness and not to the states of chaos that surround me and that are rampant in the world. In order to bring calmness to a situation I must stay above all other things remaining utterly calm myself and in so doing perhaps I may influence events for the better. All harmony begins within myself.”

“I learned to practice. That life is practice. Only by practicing these techniques in the crucible of real life can I hope to gain mastery over them and thus attain the immutable states of calmness presented as a possibility by the Masters. Additionally this practice is ultimately my own and part of my own Way or Budo, which only I am a master of or not. No one can do it for me, nor can I do it for anyone else.”

And the Master smiled as he always did when the warrior had learned a particularly important lesson. And he said unto the warrior, “You now know what you must add your energy to. You must add it to anything that increases your calmness, and withhold it from anything that does not. Further, this is a personal view and has little to do with what others around you think or want. For what good does it do anyone to embrace inharmony in an attempt to get harmony? Hence forth you shall be known as Shinsou Garyuu, which means ‘truth ones own way’, which is the only way you can find it. Garyuu also means ‘dragon fang’, which represents the penetrating will you use to discover the truth and Shinsou also means ‘deep’ implying by deep application of your dragon fang of will you will find the truth you seek. Go now and practice Budo and later, after you have rested and pondered your lessons we will examine why a perfect world seems so imperfect to those who dwell within it, which is very much related to the lessons you just learned.”

“The Art of Peace begins with you. Work on yourself and your appointed task in the Art of Peace. Everyone has a spirit that can be refined, a body that can be trained in some manner, a suitable path to follow. You are here to realize your inner divinity and manifest your innate enlightenment. Foster peace in your own life and then apply the Art to all that you encounter.”

~ Morihei Ueshiba

Instructors’ Thoughts

Why?

By Mike Parenteau

During our talk as a school, during the October 15 promotion ceremony, I asked a very simple question to you all. That question is: “Why do you train”? I think the question probably has come up a few times during our years together, whether it was provoked by one’s own thoughts, or a question posed by a senior student. I hope you will indulge me a little, as I have some thoughts to share with you.

We all come to a martial art for various reasons. Some come for the improvement in their fitness level, some come for self-defense or they seek self-discipline. Others come for camaraderie or they want to learn to fight. In my opinion, it really doesn’t matter why you initially came. The important part is not the end point that initially brought you to train, but the journey that is a prerequisite to it and the revelations an instructor hopes a student will learn along the way.

True martial training is a growth experience. I’m sure you would all agree that one cannot become an adult in a day. So why then do most people in our society today expect that when one steps into class, that they’ll receive what they think they need almost immediately? I believe that this is important question to ask yourself. Through this growth experience, a true “Do” practitioner is constantly being challenged to adjust their stance, hold their hand higher, have a good posture, etc. This is all part of learning the art. As the student progresses, the instructor hopes that as the student continues training, maybe the student will take the lessons they’ve learned inside the Dojo/Dojang and apply them to the outside world. So, how does this apply you ask?

Very simply, Sabom-nim/Sensei Medeiros said that once you reach a certain level in your training, you will hopefully realize that there is much more to learn, and that your prior knowledge must be reworked. Isn’t that an interesting observation? This concept directly correlates with how, as a person, we grow, learn, mature, etc. not only on the mat but in the world. Again, this gets back to introspection, i.e. self-evaluation. If you can honestly and objectively do this, you can become a better person in whatever you do. If not, you’ll continue to do the same things, possibly hurting others in the process. So…why do you train?

Paying the Rent

By Sam George

In 1989 I took a course to bring more meaning and direction in my life. The course was taught by Jay and Sandra Howard. At this time my family and work were all going well, but I wanted more. Through this course my relationships and my life changed in many ways: My relationships with family and friends deepened, the colors of the trees and mountains became brighter and the idea of living in the moment became my goal. What does this all have to do with paying the rent? Let me tell you a story from that time in my life that might make the question clearer.

Jay, my teacher, was walking out of the door of his house with a utility bill in his hand and knowing that Joan, my wife, and I had just paid our fee for the session I asked him, “What sort of spiritual path are you on now?”

“Sometimes your spiritual path is paying the utility bill,” he replied. I was still learning at the time and did not fully appreciate the strength of that statement, until I took over the job of being a treasurer at the Dojo.

When I first started training at the Dojo, my thoughts were about training, learning technique and being on a spiritual path. I paid my dues, but was not involved in where the money went or if the bills were being paid. My spiritual path was not paying the rent, it was practicing Aikido, or at least that is what I thought as the beginning student. Now, I see as one of the teachers in this Dojo that paying our dues, so we can pay the rent, is part of everyone’s spiritual path in Aikido. Why? When we pay our dues we should not look on it as “just another bill.” We should recognize that in paying our dues we are showing that we respect the dojo, our Teachers, and our fellow students. Logically, if we all focus our spiritual path on paying the Dojo dues, then everyone is allowed to have a proper place to train.

Cleaning Up

By Hal Render

Attendance has declined in Aikido over the last several months. Some of it is due to loss of existing students, some of it is due to the lack of new students, and some of it has been due to existing students not showing up to class. I know this is a temporary situation, but it still has bothered me. Recently, I have tried to use it as a chance to learn something.

The first time the attendance problem really slapped me in the face was one Thursday night this last Spring. I arrived early, dressed out and cleaned the mat, but by quarter after 7 I knew no one was coming. What made it worse was that two visitors had arrived exactly at 7 to watch a class, and I had no class to show them. I love Aikido, but it is short on things you can demonstrate by yourself. I went ahead and showed the visitors ashi-sabaki, ukemi, suburi and the Sanju-ichi Jo Kata, but after that, there wasn’t much else I could think of to do. I tried to demonstrate some bokken and empty-handed techniques by myself, and although the people were very polite and respectful, I felt like they left unimpressed. This really upset me, since I felt like I had failed in an opportunity to get new students, and I felt I had been let down by the other people in the class.

Unfortunately, this situation has been more common in the last few months. There have been several Thursday nights and a few Saturday mornings when I was the only person at the dojo. Generally my response to this was to get upset, but even though I was upset, I tried to carry on. I would clean the mat, hang O-Sensei’s picture, and try to practice something while I was there. But, the lack of solo practice techniques would hit me, and I would find myself growing more and more frustrated as the class wore on. Often I would leave feeling worse than when I arrived, something I had no experience with in all of my previous years of training. Finally, one night when no one showed I didn’t even bother cleaning up the mat, I just practiced for a bit and then went home.

The next day I got up early to read before going to work. I have several Aikido books that I have been trying to study, and I have been reading them in the mornings to try to make up for the training I have not been able to do because of teaching duties and the lack of practice partners during class. One of the books I have been particularly studying is about O-Sensei’s students from before World War II and their experiences training with O-Sensei and living their lives afterwards. I found all of the interviews interesting and having useful lessons, but one that struck me particularly was with Rinjiro Shirata Sensei. The interviewer mentioned that Shirata Sensei had by this time trained as long as O-Sensei had in his lifetime, and the interviewer asked what Shirata Sensei thought about that. Shirata Sensei responded that there really was no comparison. Shirata Sensei said that he had had a regular job for most of his life, and he trained when he could in his spare time. O-Sensei, Shirata Sensei explained, had devoted all his waking moments to training. Yes, O-Sensei taught classes several times a day, but even when O-Sensei wasn’t leading a class, he was training. This idea really struck me.

What was remarkable about O-Sensei wasn’t just his skill; it was his ability to practice Aikido at all times. This doesn’t mean doing ikkyo on the person in front of you in line at the bank or performing suburi with your bokken while waiting in a train station, it means the ability to employ the five principles of aikido wherever you are and whatever you are doing. As Medeiros Sensei has discussed, if you are driving a car, you can practice ki extension through the wheel. If you are walking down the street, you can practice putting your mind in your center and walking with weight underside. If you are raking the lawn, you can practice “blending” with the rake and extending ki through it. Even if you are sitting in a meeting, you can practice sitting centered and controlling your breathing.

More than this, O-Sensei would maintain the same mindset, the same spirit of attention, focus and connection, all through the day all through his life. Many of his students said that O-Sensei was always aware, always attentive, always “on.” This doesn’t mean he was lived in a paranoid state, always expecting to be attacked, it means that he had reached that state where there was no separation between his time on the mat and his time off of it.

Thinking about this made me reflect on the internal conflict I had felt during those times when no one showed up for class. I had two hours where I would be alone in the dojo. I asked myself, “What would O-Sensei do?” I immediately thought, “He would train.” I realized that having no one at class meant I had a block of two hours when I could train completely unhindered by interruptions or other duties. I could use the time to work on whatever I wanted or needed, without having to worry about whether people would be overwhelmed or bored or whatever. But, instead of appreciating this, I had been getting upset. I also realized that my attitude was the problem, not the lack of students.

So, the next time I came to the dojo and no one was there, I told myself, “It’s a class. Treat it like one.” So, I put myself in the same mindset I would when I would arrive for class at the old dojo, the Aikido-kai San Shin Kan, when I was a white belt and just beginning my training. I arrived, and I bowed to the shomen. I took off my shoes, stepped on the mat, and bowed again. I walked to the back, turned, and bowed again before going in to change. As I changed, I quieted my mind, letting the tensions of the day go and preparing my mind for training. I stepped on the mat, bowed, and began cleaning. As I swept the mat, I relaxed, focusing on my breathing and trying to move from my center. As I washed the mat, I continued doing the same, thinking about nothing except washing the mat. After the mat was clean, I put up O-Sensei’s picture, rang the bell, and sat down in seiza. I bowed in, and began warming up. Throughout all of this, I behaved exactly as if I was a white belt, as if Medeiros Sensei were there and giving the instructions. For the first time in all of the recent times when I had found myself alone at class, I felt like I used to when I was training with Medeiros Sensei. My mind was at peace, and I was thinking of nothing but training.

Did I make some great breakthrough? Did I realize something completely new? Did I reach some higher level of Aikido? I don’t think so. All I did was train like I had hundreds of times before this. I think I had come to understand a little of what O-Sensei meant when he said:

Heaven is right where you are standing and that is the place to train.

Modern Educational Theory – And How It Relates To Martial Arts

By Tim Speaks

Recently I witnessed a group of 10 college students’, ages 20 to 40, being asked what they thought the meaning of Existential Intelligence was. More precisely they were asked, “If you had to explain or define to a friend what Existential Intelligence was, what would you tell them? Not a single one could answer the question.

This topic of conversation came up as part of a larger discussion on modern human intelligence theory. It seems this guy by the name of Dr. Gardner keeps finding new types of intelligence within the human mind. According to Dr. Gardner, the old idea that there is merely one “general intelligence” factor for all humans in woefully inadequate. So far he had found 8 types of separate intelligence that all humans posses in unequal measures. The eight types of intelligence found so far are: Visual/Spatial Intelligence, Musical Intelligence, Verbal Intelligence, Logical/Mathematical Intelligence, Interpersonal Intelligence, Intrapersonal Intelligence, Bodily/ Kinesthetic Intelligence, and Naturalistic Intelligence. Now, if you can’t find a way to feel smart with all those categories to choose from, I don’t know what to say.

Actually, if you go through that list and you still can’t find a category that defines your personal brand of genius, you may have hope yet. Since the proliferation of this “Multiple Intelligences Theory” over the last 20 years, many other Psychologists have jumped on the bandwagon and started churning out new intelligences such as the Existential Intelligence I mentioned above.

As a result, the days of IQ and general aptitude testing are fading fast. No longer do you have to feel the shame of a below average IQ score labeling you a mildly retarded moron for all society to laugh at. The educational establishments of the world are gradually aligning their curriculums with this new concept that all children are geniuses in their own way. The educators simply have to find a specialized approach to teaching each little smarty-pants according to their particular type of intelligence.

Although this seems like a good approach for developing children’s natural mental strengths, what happens if their weaknesses go ignored? Do we no longer challenge children to adapt and overcome their individual shortcomings?

Unfortunately today’s society is encouraging more and more educational specialization by offering the most recognition and monetary reward to those individuals who excel in specific fields. Who cares if you are a mediocre artist or poet if your professional title is Doctor or Lawyer? Perhaps if you were in the elite of artists or poets you could make a good living, but don’t even waste your time otherwise. This attitude is being driven by a business management model that strives to take advantage of each individual’s greatest strengths for the good of the company’s profit margin. Since the lesser talents or “Intelligences” of an individual are deemed unexceptional, little or no value is attributed to them.

However, I argue that people who are less specialized and more generalized in their assortment of mental Intelligences will be capable of a wider range of activities. They will be more likely to excel at problem solving and “Thinking outside the Box”, as some people like to say.

Finally this, we all have our individual talents or mental strengths, but we should take care to develop all aspects of ourselves beyond and despite society’s expectation of us.

In the martial arts we train our mind, body and spirit. In regards to the mind it means all aspects of the mind, or all the “Intelligences”, no matter how many Psychologists may find in the future. We must work to recognize our personal weaknesses as well as our strengths so that we will know what to work on the most. Then we can continuously grow toward being more complete martial artists and human beings.

Opportunity Awaits Those Who Seek It

By Sensei/Sabom Medeiros

[Editor’s note: Sensei/Sabom asked that this letter be read to the students during the October 15 Promotional Ceremony.]

On this special occasion, those of you who have foolhardily ventured out onto the path of enlightenment have discovered that diligent training relative to the martial arts of the Ancient Orient requires unwavering dedication and perseverance. Your personal dedication and perseverance is preciously what has aided you in achieving your recent promotion.

I have always sated over the many years we have all been together, that there are no monetary rewards for training or teaching “TRUE” Budo/Mudo. However, I have also stated that the spiritual rewards acquired through training and teaching are priceless. Today you are experiencing this principle.

Sensei Render, you and I have been together since September of 1990. Do you remember when you first took those fateful steps and walked into Sensei Debra Noblet’s Aikido of Pikes Peak Dojo on Van Teylingen Drive?

Do you remember how you began your exploration of O-Sensei’s Grand Art? Do you recall your statement to Kevin Johnston at the Aikido of Pikes Peak meeting in 1991?

Maybe it was a foolish mistake to tell Mr. Johnston you were going to follow me? To follow me is often difficult. However, here we are and the struggle to train regularly has not really changed. To train is exactly what O-Sensei has always said it is: A daily effort put forth for the sake of the entire world.

Neither you nor I would have ever predicted we would still be training together in the martial arts in 2005.

I wish to thank you for being a primary supporter and benefactor of our school. Without your support all these years I truly believe the Aikido Kai San Shin Kan and The Center for Aikido and Tang Soo Do Studies would not be in business today. I need to personally thank you for believing in O-Sensei’s Grand Art and me.

We have been on this road a long, long time. Teach your students well, Sensei Render because you have the most experience with our school.

Sensei George, you and I have been together since February of 1994. Do you remember when a close dear friend of yours invited you to attend an Aikido class at the Aikido Kai San Shin Kan on Chelton Loop North? A dangerous proposition he presented to you.

You were a cautious student who was often perplexed by my comments. Today, I find that you have blossomed into a fine leader of our school. Did you ever think that you and I would still be training together in 2005?

Sensei George, I realize I have said many things over the years, what must have seemed to you to be strange philosophies, and lofty ideals related to Budo training and life in general. You listened politely and today I believe you now understand what all my lectures have meant and why we must always remind ourselves why we train.

I wish to thank you for listening to Patrick McClevy’s wild stories of an Aikido school that had a mythical instructor who could throw students with one finger. He was a great P.R. person for our school.

You probably never thought you would be the one who has been tasked with the responsibility to walk the path of Budo, along with the rest of us and become the leader of our school’s headquarters. A dangerous proposition I presented to you.

I thank you for accepting the position and allowing me the joy of sharing the path with you all these years. I wish we had more old students following us. Be kind and generous to your students, old and new, for they will look to you for directions to the path of enlightenment.

Kyosa Miller, your dedication to several arts has led you to my doorstep way back in 1997. Your willingness to learn Aikido and Tang Soo Do has stunned many of us who have often wished that we could have enjoyed the freedom and revisited the days of our youth in order to train seven days a week as you were so lucky to do.

You laugh, but I envied you! Your journey has reminded me that fortitude, hard work and sacrifice allowed you to gain immense experience in order to train with a great school that so few see any value in attending regularly. Inspire your students to see the high value of our school and art.

Today you stand where I have stood. Remember and do not lose site of Master Jong H. Lee’s vision! Tangsoology is the path to seeking perfection in all that we do. I wish to thank you for reminding me of this critical fact.

One simple example of perfection in motion is the reason why we keep the Dojang clean. The Dojang is a microcosm of the greater world outside and therefore how we maintain our school is a direct reflection of how we care about the outside world.

I wish to thank all of you for honoring this fundamental tenet of keeping the Dojang/Dojo clean.

Kyosa Speaks, at long last the fruits of your labor have bloomed once again into a beautiful flower. You believed in what I have attempted to convey to you about the differences and similarities of Korean Tang Soo Do and Master Jong H. Lee’s methodologies: specifically, his grand philosophy know as Tangsoology.

Thank you for trusting me as I attempted to impart the philosophies of Master Jong H. Lee to your eager mind. Reverence for nature is truly a difficult tenet to embrace when all around us people of the world pollute and destroy that which Tang Soo Do holds dear.

I understand the earthly tides of change are always in motion, this is natural. However, the human world lives in a cyclonic, capitalistic spiral that is always hungry, greedy and dissatisfied with itself. People all over the world work long hours to feed the beast that is never satisfied.

This is not the true nature of Mudo/Budo. The student of the Arts seeks tranquility, humility and scholarship for the greater good of all. You have embodied this principle as I have observed over the many years we have been together. I thank you for demonstrating an exquisite example of Tangsoology in motion.

With this having been said Kyosa Speaks, I believe you understand why Tangsoology directs us to seek self-improvement through our training and like the world outside, your new students that come to us must be carefully guided as to the greater reasons for studying martial arts. Competition and pugilism (which is comprised of elements of aggression, greed, jealousy, envy, dissatisfaction, domination and hate) degrade true Tang Soo Do training.

I remember when you came to the USJA headquarters in 2000 and began your training with our school. I imagine you never would have anticipated being a future instructor of our school? Yet here you are taking care of business on my behalf. I thank you for supporting our school all these years.

Kyosa Speaks, I know Sabom Parenteau never conceived of the notion of having to represent me during my absence either. Yet here he is! Our senior-most student is taking care of important matters for our school on my behalf. Great things happen when we stay the course.

Sabom Parenteau and to all recently promoted students: I have often stated that training in Budo/Mudo is a lonely path. What is meant by this comment, is those of us who willingly choose to train and teach, should not seek Notoriety, Fame or Celebrity.

These types of conceits belong to Hollywood actors and executives, publishers of gossip/smut magazines and television shows, news network types that constantly exploit sensationalism and reactionary/crises oriented events, reality television, politicians, attorneys, judges, C.E.O.’s, poets commercial martial arts schools, movie stars, Broadway actors, dancers, mega-star musicians…well, I hope you get the point!

For those of you who have forgotten what “DO” means as it applies to Aiki ”DO” or Tang Soo “DO”, it is a path, “THEE ONLY” path; there are no others. You must work very hard to be able to walk its steep slopes.

In the spirit of all true students and masters of Budo/Mudo, who have gone before us! Allow their lessons to teach us that we must continually sacrifice daily in order to gain insight and knowledge as to how true martial arts training was and continues to be and therefore must be passed on intact. There are not short cuts!

These dedicated students of the old ways remind us of the struggles that befall all who truly seek to progress along this arduous path. With this said, Gentlemen, teach your students well for they look to your for guidance.

The popular culture constantly sets new extreme sports, movies, television and other mind numbing ideas into motion for all the millions of people whose conceits must be constantly be quenched. These conceited hungers and thirsts are not the true path to Budo/Mudo wisdom.

Humility and dedication is the only true way. Therefore as each of you accepts your new rank, please continue to study the deeper meaning of what true martial arts and your own training represent in the greater scope of things.

The true path of Budo/Mudo is really an easy path. Study the art daily, put your practice into motion and progress a step at a time. This is the fundamental reason for promotions. To remind us that others have gone before us, therefore to always remain humble as we progress in the Arts.

Teachers of the old ways remind us that living a virtuous life is the more earnest way. As we strive to become more compassionate human beings and a keeper of the old traditions of the Arts through our studies at our school, we become connected to a great history. Remember! True martial arts training is all about seeing connections!

I wish all of you greater success as the future continues to unfold before your eyes. May you all prosper in the present as we all walk ever onward toward our death?

Do not become distracted or swayed by sensationalistic/reactionary events. Stay on the path of peace.

A Special Note to the Instructors for The Center for Aikido and Tang Soo Do Studies:

It is with humble tone that I ask the four of you to unite and collaborate about the status of our School’s Headquarters. It is in dire need of attention by the four of you.

Neither Sabom Parenteau nor I are in a suitable position to lend support due to the geographical distance of our residences. All we can do is impart ideas or answer questions that the four of you have already been given the answers to since January of 2005.

If the four of you would make a concerted effort to meet regularly to discuss options for our school, great things could happen. Discuss innovative ways to further the cause of our outstanding history.

Remember what brought you to the gateway of martial arts. More importantly, remember what brought you to our school. If the reasons for your martial arts interests are still genuine then put into action your desire and lead our school on to greater successes.

To all present and past students of the Center for Aikido and Tang Soo Do Studies, I respectfully ask that you continue to spread the joy of our school to others and continue your training in earnest under the guidance of these four fine instructors. Remember the path of peace need not be a lonely one. Tranquility and bliss await those who are awake to experience the process.