Dear Martin, thanks for this beautiful writing. Let me add two things:
My personal impression is that there is a common misconception about the word "way". Most of the times it is too literary understood as a way leading from point A to point B. But it can also be understood as a way being. A certain way of acting and living - without a starting point and an end point (mastery or whatsoever). I think of Do more in the letter interpretation. Learning something like Aikido is about learning to take circumstances with a certain kind of mindset.
The second addition refers to art. In which way can Aikido be an art? I think there are two ways of understanding this. The first is the notion that visual arts like painting create structures in space - in certain artistic ways. Music in this concept is a structure in time. Aikido in this notion is indeed like dancing. It is a structure in space AND time.
The other idea I have is about perception and feedback. When i draw or paint in the beginning I am oriented towards the model or the scene I see. But over the time I am redirecting my attention to what I see on the paper. Trying to amplify what I painted. So for me art is about perception and feedback - some kind of closed loop. The same can be said about Akido - therefore I call it an art.
I agree that the Do as a concept is "never-ending" journey of learning, acting and living. I believe that this "no end" is the main substance of Do. If there is a system that leads people from point A to B, it's Jutsu, or obtaining particular skills.
However, your comment on art as perception and feedback and going from changing the creation to changing myself through creating... It's just perfect point! I must write it down, thank you. I have some notes as preparation to make an article "Aikido as an Art" and if you agree, I would use your idea, too.
Dear Martin, thanks for this beautiful writing. Let me add two things:
My personal impression is that there is a common misconception about the word "way". Most of the times it is too literary understood as a way leading from point A to point B. But it can also be understood as a way being. A certain way of acting and living - without a starting point and an end point (mastery or whatsoever). I think of Do more in the letter interpretation. Learning something like Aikido is about learning to take circumstances with a certain kind of mindset.
The second addition refers to art. In which way can Aikido be an art? I think there are two ways of understanding this. The first is the notion that visual arts like painting create structures in space - in certain artistic ways. Music in this concept is a structure in time. Aikido in this notion is indeed like dancing. It is a structure in space AND time.
The other idea I have is about perception and feedback. When i draw or paint in the beginning I am oriented towards the model or the scene I see. But over the time I am redirecting my attention to what I see on the paper. Trying to amplify what I painted. So for me art is about perception and feedback - some kind of closed loop. The same can be said about Akido - therefore I call it an art.
Thank you, keep on writing. Best, Wolfgang
Hello Wolfgang,
thank you for your inspiration and kind words!
I agree that the Do as a concept is "never-ending" journey of learning, acting and living. I believe that this "no end" is the main substance of Do. If there is a system that leads people from point A to B, it's Jutsu, or obtaining particular skills.
However, your comment on art as perception and feedback and going from changing the creation to changing myself through creating... It's just perfect point! I must write it down, thank you. I have some notes as preparation to make an article "Aikido as an Art" and if you agree, I would use your idea, too.
Take care!
Dear Martin, i am looking forward to your article about "Aikido as an art". Please feel free to use my ideas.