The art of aido grew out of situations in which an unarmoured samurai wearing everyday clothing might find himself in a situation of having to rapidly improvise a defensive action – even while sitting having a meal while his sword lay beside him in its scabbard. Using the techniques of aido the sword could be drawn in a counteraction within one second of time – or left in its scabbard to block defensively when even that second of time is not enough. This explains why aido also can be performed when starting from a seated position on the floor.
Watching an accomplished proponent of aido can be remarkable enough, with all movements seeming as fluid as water, as effortless as breathing. As with other martial arts, neither age nor gender need have any bearing on levels of skill, with the practitioner using only exactly as much energy as is required for the actions. It might seem as if such an accomplished level of aido, where all actions express absolute fluidity, is the ultimate goal of this art. But there is another, perhaps more mystical, level beyond even this.
The ultimate expression of aido is not to fight, but not even to need to draw one’s sword in the first place. This ultimate goal comes only with the poise of the supreme warrior. For such an individual projects such an aura of calm, such equanimity, that any potential threats or aggression will be stilled in this individual’s presence. A potentially overheated situation is diffused.
All will be at peace, for a peaceful heart creates its own reality.
When the sword is at rest
and the wind stills to silence
the song of the birds
will again be heard.
"A Peaceful Heart" is a wonderful title to this blog about this particular mastery of the sword and self. The image is quite remarkable with the juxtaposition of the two small birds perched on the handle of a samurai long sword. In this image we have the potential of death represented by the sword and yet there is the reverence shown to life, life that can be small and delicate in form as the little birds. The samurai’s hands are gently resting on the scabbard and we can feel his or her (it is possible it may be a woman) calmness in giving quiet attention to the little birds. It is gratifying to read the following: “The ultimate expression of aido is not to fight, but not even to need to draw one’s sword in the first place. This ultimate goal comes only with the poise of the supreme warrior. For such an individual projects such an aura of calm, such equanimity, that any potential threats or aggression will be stilled in this individual’s presence. A potentially overheated situation is diffused. All will be at peace, for a peaceful heart creates its own reality.” The essence of this martial art is beautifully expressed in these words, and there is the recognition that it is not the just mastery of the sword but mastery over the self to be fully and consciously present in each moment. We see here that its essence is exactly that of Zen, to be completely at one with life, anchored in the eternal now. The mind is not possessed by thoughts of the future nor is it held prisoner of the past but is completely in conscious presence. One is not swayed by the turbulence in the world, and importantly one finds the stillness and true peace amid one’s own personal storms whatever they may be. In this way the warrior develops a peaceful heart. May we all become warriors of the Peaceful Heart! Thank you Emma and David for this blog and image
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