Sensei Berry on Aikido

Why do I, here’s why.

My intention in training in these martial arts and  my intention in training my mind and my intention in living the way I do on this planet at this time is simply to gain control of ego.   Now please, I understand that we cannot live without ego.  The control that I’m talking about is making sure that I do not follow in the footsteps of many of my fellow martial artists.

I have encountered so many inflated egos that it is exceedingly difficult to attend a seminar or a simple  gathering and avoid stepping on someone’s enlarged impression of themselves.

I close friend of mine while speaking to a martial arts group several weeks ago  expounded on true self defense after being asked about advanced technique. He is a bit younger than me but you wouldn’t know that by what he said.  He said, “Real self defense begins with self; by doing battle with and gaining mastery over your ego.” By ego, he  meant false pride or a swelled head and little substance.

If you look closely, you can see huge ego problems at the top of many organizations be they martial, business, educational or social.

To correct a possible misunderstanding, there are countless  great martial artists out there just as there are countless superior business leaders around.  There are just not enough of them in the correct roles.

Look at congress and you will see what I mean. If you closed your eyes and listened to the republicans and democrats and did not know the subject matter, you would think it was a bunch of adolecents  arguing over school recess instead of the business of government.

Why do I?

Train?  Because I can.  Heal? It’s a GOD given gift.  Breathe? Because I must.  A deeper question is why do I live?

I don’t know.  I suppose the answer to that question would give me many other answers also.  In fact, if I could just figure out some of the simplier things in life, it would be oh, so easier to get along.  Don’t get wrong, I’m really enjoying myself. I’m just a little short in understanding why some people do the things they do.  If I could just see a little deeper into their motivations it would be easier to step out of their way.  As it is, I seem to be spending more of my allotted time on this planet practicing basic mental Aikido exercises when I could be showing my students more profound concepts. Of course that may be to answer to the whole thing; this may be the way it’s supposed to be.

Nah. I don’t believe in predestination.  All the great books say we set up life by the way we think and live. And if that’s the case, why do these weird situations keep happening?

A book I’ve read states that it is fate.  F.A.T.E. - From All Thoughts Everywhere. Which makes more sense than any other idea I’ve heard in a long, long time. Which makes it essential that we entertain strong, powerful and progressive thoughts to disrupt the destructive ones bombarding us. However, simply thinking is not enough, we must verbalize those ideas and also act on them.

Any sugesstions?

Many more leave than stay. That’s a given. The hard work and seemingly small reward would be daunting to even more if they knew how truly tough the training is. A comment made today at my student’s jujitsu class was”we train hard so we can deal successfully with the stresses, trials and tribulations of life. I disagree. But why do some stay?

I train to come into harmony with nature so I do not have to struggle so much, to allow nature to show me the way, to flow with, not against. My senior student read an article which stated that some, not all back pain comes about as a direct result of exterior problems not mentally resolved. That author may be on to something. Many people carry around the weight of the world. In fact a question asked in one book I read was this: “Do you see yourself living in a fundamentally hostile universe, or a friendly universe?” The answer pretty much dictates how you live your life and what you perceive yourself to be in conflict with. That’s just about fighting, my friend. My life is so much more than that. Is yours? But why do some stay?

I rarely catch colds. I’ve only had the flu once in my life. And I attribute this to not only my lifestyle but my thought processes. A large part of that is controlling my emotions. An angry man can usually be controlled much easier than a calm one. An angry man is easily taken advantage of. Whenever I find myself getting angry I immediately go inward and question. Then consider another point of view, the other person’s perspective. Anger dissolves. I move on.

With martial arts training it gets easier. An added plus is the older I get the easier it gets. Then there is “Teaching” while training which gets me to that doorway in a much safer environment. I teach myself as much as I teach my students. In fact, teaching students is really learning to reinforce my these ideas in own mind. So this whole thing is in fact very, very selfish. It’s all about me. But selfishness can be a good thing, right? But why do some stay?

Some stay because they like the challenge and begin to sense the possibilities. Some stay because they get that taste of inspiration. Some stay because they feel a sympathetic vibration from the teacher, other students or from dojo itself. They realize that this may be their last best opportunity to truly test themselves in a danger filled physical environment, especially if they encounter the sword.

Why do you stay?

I’ve hesitated writing on this particular subject for a long, long time. But today my oldest student shook me as no other person can. He reminded me of why I teach.

An open letter to my students.

Too many, far too many lose sight of why I continue to train in the martial arts. Especially after reading the ending of my book “Stepping Off the Mat.” So what do I get from all this training and practicing?

It’s simply this:I’m teaching you, my student, how to live. The traditional educational institution is structured and designed to do one thing and one thing only; to teach you how to make a living! Not how to think and not how to be a good citizen. Just how to make a living.

I’ve been working out how to shape your minds, teaching you how to think properly and how to reason by giving you examples of strategic thinking under the guise of martial arts and self-defense strategies. If you remember, I’ve said it’s not so important what you think as how you think. Small minds get bent out of shape over small problems. Mitch Gilbert once said, “small minds talk about people, average minds talk about events and great minds talk about ideas.”

Some have commented on my style of dress and the way I always keep my shoes highly shined and the way I conduct myself. Well, it’s a way of living. I’m making a statement without saying a word. My actions and appearance speak volumes for me. I just go about my business.

And while I on that thought of dress, consider this: Do you ever wonder why the youth of this country dresses the way they do? Do you wonder why they have little or no respect for each other or for that matter none for you either? (when I say you, I mean adults) It may be because of this: We have lost respect around the world because of the decisions we’ve made. Look at the politicians we’ve picked to run the local, state and federal governments for the past twenty or thirty years. All they seem to care about is getting reelected and nothing about doing what’s right. The young have picked up on this and solve their problems the same way they see adults and governments do. By simply taking, fighting or stealing for it. There is another way. A much better way. I practice Martial discipline! It’s really not about fighting.

I make every effort to demonstrate the capacity of reason and civility by how I live my life. And some examples are (1) Do no harm. (2) Whenever possible, give advantage to the other guy. (3) Clean up after yourself by leaving no track. (4) Smile whenever possible. (5) Correct a child when you see him or her operating incorrectly. (6) Allow all children to see you in a positive light while doing the things you do. (7) Don’t cheat. (8) When you make a mistake, admit it. (9) Have the courage to say I’m sorry. (10) No matter your religion, practice the golden rule, treat others the way you wish to be treated.

Do you have other ideas or concepts? If so please share them.

Sometimes I wonder. Whatever happened to me to cause this direction in my life? Maybe the answer comes from other questions.

Who comes to the martial arts? And why? As in why do they come at all?

While discussing this question with one of my black belt students one concept kept creeping into the conversation: These are people who need fixing. In other words people who have personal problems they cannot solve by themselves. In order to seek an answer, I looked inward.

What was I looking for when I signed up for this controlled mayhem? I believe I’ve answered some of that in earlier blogs but I’ll add one or two of those ideas here. First I wanted self defense. Second I wanted to be physically fit. To follow up on the first statement, I wanted self defense but I had no interest in being a fighter. Was there a secret desire to be admired hidden in my subconscious? Do not all share in this desire?

Many who come are not big or strong enough for football, not tall or coordinated enough for basketball, nor fast enough for track or are just not team players. I’d say many are looking to overcome a weakness. But to me the vast majority of those inquiring about these arts are searching but know not what they are searching for. Some of these thoughts and ideas were first mentioned by my teachers and others are the results of my observations.

What is truly significant is the change affected by large amounts of time spent in a more traditional dojo training under a sensei who challenges the student’s mind as well as the body. He or she who exits the dojo after many years is never the person who entered.

Why did you come?

November 20, 2008 is when I start my 70th year on the planet and my 25th year studying Aikido. I remember ten years ago my senior Leon Brooks Sensei stating that 60 years old is perfect for practicing Aikido. He was correct. The aches and pains didn’t last as long back then. I still get thrown by my students now and then but I could handle the falls much better back then. Of course Leon was talking about 60 year old students as opposed to much younger students.

However, as I am entering my 70th year, my understandings come a little clearer and quite a bit deeper. Principles tend to stick out a little more prominently now. Though they tend to be mystified by how I do it, I’m able to see lines of progression and continuation when my students are executing techniques. I still have to work at some understandings, but not nearly as hard as before. As I teach advance concepts I find myself going back to the basics more now. You realize of course that there’s no such thing as advance techniques, just combinations of basic principles. And I’m more patient with others now. The exception is my lack of patience with stupidity. That has not changed, which shows, obviously, that I’ve not evolved as much as I’d like.

Looking back at all the students who’ve left the dojo I sometimes wonder whether they would have stayed if I had been softer and easier on them. Which is an odd thought when the comments from some of my old Ji Do Kwan students is that I have softened my approach to training since I’ve been in Aikido.

It is a little discomforting that many of my contemporaries are no longer here and many who are have damaged or broken bodies. I don’t know if it’s genetics, living properly, training properly, positive thinking, or just plain luck, that I am in relatively good health. I do know, or at least I feel, that my search for mental and spiritual training has had a positive effect on me. I’ve always felt, even in the beginning, back there in the sixties, that something was missing from the training I was given.

It’s getting a little bit clearer.

What to write when no new thoughts come to mind. What I mean is I don’t have anything pressing me, shouting to get out. Of course I’ve been here before and it can sometimes be bothersome. The same thing sometimes happens while teaching. No inspiration, no new ideas. When these situations occur I just practice.

Practice what you ask? Would it surprise you to learn that I do not use lesson plans? My reasoning can be simply explained. When I plan my lessons they can come off stiff and sometimes kind of lifeless. However, when I tap into the students’ energy and practice spontaneity the lessons come off charged and inspiring, able to transform a student. I call it energizing. Some have called it spirituality. All I know is that I cannot take credit for the ideas for they come from the universe, through me to the students. I am just a conduit.. On many, many occasions, I will teach an idea I have never uttered before or even thought of before. It’s as if the teaching is for me as well as the students.

For me there’s one shortcoming from this type of learning and it is this: unless I video-tape the lesson I cannot always remember said lesson after I’ve taught it. Years ago, in Quiet Storm, I would encounter a student using an unfamiliar technique and and when questioning the student got a surprise. He would say “you taught me this technique last year.” That happened many, many times in Quiet Storm, now it’s happening in Aikido.

So, I just practice. Something will come.

This is an excerpt taken from a book by Gichin Funakoshi, the founder of shotokan karate entitled, “KARATE-DO KYOHAN.”

“True karate, that is, Karate-do, strives internally to train the mind to develop a clear conscience enabling one to face the world truthfully, while externally developing strength until one may overcome even ferocious wild animals. Mind and technique are to become one in true karate.

Those who follow Karate-do must consider courtesy of prime importance. Without courtesy, the essence of Karate-do is lost. Courtesy must be practiced not only during the karate training period but at all times in one’s daily life. The karate student must humble himself to receive training. The student must always be aware of and receptive to criticism from others; he must be constantly introspective and must readily admit any lack of knowledge, rather than pretending to know what he does not know.

Those who follow Karate-do must never forsake a humble mind and gentle manner. It is the small-minded individual who likes to brag upon acquiring some small skill, and those with little knowledge who carry on as if they were experts are childish. It is because of the large number of false martial artists in the world that the public tends to either ignore the martial artist or to consider him wild. Therefore, many serious martial artists are embarrassed. Students of Karate-do should always keep these points in mind.

Those who follow Karate-do will develop courage and fortitude. These qualities do not have to do with strong actions or with the development of strong techniques as such. Emphasis is placed on development of the mind rather than on techniques.”

If you change the words karate and Karate-do to Aikido or most of the other martial arts this statement has much relevance for today’s martial artists. Also, how we think has much to do with how we live our lives. And this is a process sorely lacking in today’s society.

When is the correct time to change? How do you process change, or more to the point, why should you care what happens around you? Today it seems to be all about “ME,” whereas, the correct messages suggests it should be all about “WE!”

As a martial arts teacher, the message is best demonstrated by living it, not necessarily saying it. And by my observation, saying it should happen more than it does.

Many, when making a choice, would consider choosing a very casual endeavor. Few, if any, realize how far-reaching their decisions can be. When you choose, you make a statement. You make a declaration to the universe. For instance, I receive phone call after phone call from people wishing to gain martial skills with no real understanding of the commitment required. They see movies of men and women using impressive techniques after only rudimentary training cycles, showing time chopped into days and weeks. They think that black belt equals expert and in ten easy lessons. Well, to be honest, maybe they really believe it will take five or six months. Or they want me to transform their undisciplined child into an amazing example of the youngest black belt in history.

People fail to realize that black belt does not signify the end, it is the end of the beginning. It means the beginning of serious study. When you enter a traditional dojo, two choices must be made, not one. The choice to pursue a pastime endeavor is what usually happens at first, but then comes the choice to change their way of thinking, the choice of participating in a life-altering experience. Or the choice of dropping out when the realization hits that choices are no easy task.

There are no chance encounters. Real choice was asked for long ago, it just may have been forgotten. How long ago?

I forgot.

Why do I practice Ji Do Kwan and Aikido? My life’s not been in jeopardy in the last 55 years, so why train in these martial arts. I don’t believe it’s ego because I have nothing to prove to anyone. Plus there is no one to impress. This question should be on the minds of most who enter a dojo. Some claim to search for peace, love and harmony, but these cannot be found outside of yourself. And yet there must be a possibility of gain or it makes no sense to sacrifice hundreds or thousands of hours. I’ve suffered many broken bones in these arts as well as experiencing much pain and anguish. One broken jaw, two fingers, one arm, two ribs (one on each side of the body, twenty years apart), several broken toes and one dislocated finger. In addition, many of my contemporaries have gone through hip and knee replacement surgeries. Thank God, I have not had to endure those. I also have my teachers to thank for correct instruction on how not to lock my knees and hips on kicking extensions. But back to the question, why?

Taking an old idea first, I gain by giving. By that I mean whatever I learned was given away to others almost as soon as I learned. My teacher was wise enough to know that by struggling to explain to others what to do would enhance my own understanding.

However, in the beginning I wanted self-protection. And I drew to me the best teacher available at that time. One with principles and abilities. In other words, not just one with street-fighting abilities. The broken bones I endured were about how badly I wanted it. And I trained even while wearing casts on my hand and my arm. That’s wanting it pretty badly, huh? But back to those reasons. I gradually came to sense something missing from my training. Just what, I didn’t know at the time. I started researching. As I continued to research I discovered that about eighty percent of the art was hidden from view. I have since changed that number to ninety percent. Another discovery? Your instructor cannot give this to you, you have to acquire it yourself. Just as no one can give you self-determination. They can draw it out of you, but first you have to have it inside.

While enduring this journey, I’ve made several discoveries concerning myself. The first and foremost being I’m stronger mentally than I originally thought. Second, I’m much healthier, though some of that may be genetics, and I was able to keep the fat off. My confidence soared. Last but not least, I’ve gained many, many friends and traveled more places than I would have if not for the arts. One more thing, my decision to study these arts have brought so many people together that four marriages have resulted from this dojo. (more on these choices in my next blog)

I am not saying that last example was why I practice but martial arts training can take one in many different directions. I’m famous and rich, just not yet financially so. I’ve been in magazines and on TV several times, all without conscious effort. Note that I did not say without intention. I cannot give without becoming known.