TEN

Can you coax your mind from its wandering
and keep to the original oneness?
Can you let your body become
supple as a newborn child's?
Can you cleanse your inner vision
until you see nothing but the light?
Can you love people and lead them
without imposing your will?
Can you deal with the most vital matters
by letting events take their course?
Can you step back from you own mind
and thus understand all things?

Giving birth and nourishing,
having without possessing,
acting with no expectations,
leading and not trying to control:
this is the supreme virtue.

Winter Semester Schedule

Hi All!

I hope the holiday break was a good one.

Beginning this week (January 6) keiko times are:

Mondays 10-11am
Wednesdays 10-11am & 5:30-7:20pm

*Please notice the earlier evening keiko time.

See you on the mat!

Happy Holidays!

Here's wishing a safe and happy holiday season to all of you followers of the way! I hope to see you soon!

Messisco Sensei

Here are a couple of highlights from the recent seminar with Dan Messisco Sensei. Thank you Dan!

Day Seminar with Dan Messisco Sensei

On Saturday, Oct. 17 Michigan Aikido will host a day seminar with Dan Messisco Sensei (6th Dan). Training will be from 10-noon and 3-5pm. Cost $50. Mat space is limited. For more info contact: danny_kline@hotmail.com / 419.494.8058

Beginner's Mind

For in much wisdom is much grief: and he that increaseth knowledge increaseth sorrow. ecc. 1:18

15

The ancient Masters were profound and subtle.
Their wisdom was unfathomable.
There is no way to describe it;
all we can describe is their appearance.

They were careful
as someone crossing an iced-over stream.
Alert as a warrior in enemy territory.
Courteous as a guest.
Fluid as melting ice.
Shapable as a block of wood.
Receptive as a valley.
Clear as a glass of water.

Do you have the patience to wait
till your mud settles and the water is clear?
Can you remain unmoving
till the right action arises by itself?

The Master doesn't seek fulfillment.
Not seeking, not expecting,
she is present, and can welcome all things.
-Lao Tzu

Old and New

Here is a link to an interesting article comparing rankings systems over the years in japanese martial arts. http://www.judoinfo.com/ranks.htm

Koichi Tohei Sensei Interview

Here are links to all four parts of an Aikido Journal Interview with Tohei Sensei, one of Aikido's great masters.
http://www.aikidojournal.com/article?articleID=93
http://www.aikidojournal.com/article?articleID=127
http://www.aikidojournal.com/article?articleID=269
http://www.aikidojournal.com/article?articleID=537

38:5

"Ritual is the husk of true faith, the beginning of chaos." Lao Tzu

Thank you Ken Sensei

Thank you for an excellent keiko and good fellowship! Please come back soon.

Kaz Tanahashi

Kaz Tanahashi, a direct student of O Sensei, will be teaching calligraphy and talking about training with the founder as part of the zen workshop series at Shobu Aikido of Ohio. More information can be found at http://www.toledozen.blogspot.com/ and http://brushmind.net/

Fiddling with this
And that technique
Is of no avail.
Simply act decisively
Without reserve!
-O Sensei

Thank you Dan Sensei for a great class!

19

Throw away holiness and wisdom,
and people will be a hundred times happier.
Throw away morality and justice,
and people will do the right thing.
Throw away industry and profit,
and there won't be any thieves.

If these three aren't enough,
just stay at the center of the circle
and let all things take their course.

-Lao Tzu

Driving Directions To Dojo

Here is a link for driving directions and a campus map. The visitors parking lot is just off of Oakwood Drive and Olds/Robb is just East a couple of buildings on the same road. The entrance to the building is on the far side. See you on the mat.


http://www.emich.edu/recim/directions.htm.