from a single drop . . .

the first time i keyed out a flower, i knew that this unlocking of nature's secrets could hold my attention indefinitely, for every path now held new treasures to discover . . .

the first time i tried aikido i caught a glimpse of its incredible depth- like a good wine it appears to gain both grace, complexity, and simplicity with age. it was clear that with each technique, each partner, and each new day it would take on new meanings, it would evolve . . .


there is this intuition, this acknowledgment that occupies my entire being when i initially encounter some things, rare, special things that are akin to art, that are a living practice . . .
they effortlessly convey their manifold essence upon a single taste, at the merest glace

and then, i suppose, it takes a lifetime to engage what was originally hinted at

oozing

Today Wendy Palmer Sensei relayed this quote from Endo Sensei (I believe), "You cannot fully understand aikido until you grow older, so until then, save your body."

In the spirit of healing our bodies, and under the instruction of Glen Leichman Sensei, we allowed ourselves to be tossed over nage's hips, so that we could practice gently dripping down like a tickling waterfall.

Soft ukemi.

It's like magic, from shaping your body and relaxing it, you and the mat refind your oneness without a shocking slap. Melting, melding.

This is an equalizer, reminding me that uke and nage are one, we fall into one another.

Bearing Witness

it is akin to participating.
watching with open heart, smiling mind.
learning.
visualizing.
appreciating.
growing.
also, there is a knowing-- knowing that someone has shaped me, and I them; that the whole dojo is constantly evolving together . . . that this process will continue.
and, in that, there is accomplishment, beauty, and excitement.