When I started AikidoThe word "Aikido" is made up of three japanese characters: ai - harmony, ki - spirit, mind, or universal energy, do - the way. Thus Aikido is "the way of harmony with universal energy.", I asked a lot of questions…the answers, more often than not, were “keep coming to practice”.

Photo courtesy of Kim O’Malley

For me, it was a very dissatisfying answer.  I knew there had to be more to it than that. If is could just figure out the right way to watch SenseiTeacher; anyone who gives guidance along the way; literally "born before", some quick way to figure out this center thing, just try harder….

A few months ago, while shaping an edge of steel, I had a moment of pure joy.  It was an edge like any other.  There was no special reason to make it clean, crisp, smooth to the point that the viewer would be drawn to touch it.  There was no one watching me create the edge, no one there to pat me on the back because I was creating the perfect edge.  I was just shaping the edge.  Feeling the edge and making it right.

The joyous feeling was like nothing I have ever felt.  I felt warmth running through my body.  I felt like I was glowing.  Knowing I was alone, I looked around to see if anyone saw.  It quickly ended and I got back to shaping the edge.  No rush, feeling the file against the steel and enjoying the beauty of the process.

The more I practice AikidoThe word "Aikido" is made up of three japanese characters: ai - harmony, ki - spirit, mind, or universal energy, do - the way. Thus Aikido is "the way of harmony with universal energy.", the more I realize the joy is in the everyday practice. The shaping of the edge.  There are no simple answers, no shortcuts or tricks.  I find myself answering questions from my fellow Aididoka with “keep coming to practice” and believing it, myself, more and more.