And like Latin, it still exerts power—through law, theology, science. Until one is committed, there is hesitancy, the chance to draw back. Laughter relaxes the body. Relaxation signals safety. Can one laugh and strike at the same time? Aikido is the cultivation of excellence. The art is embodied physically- the stuff of soma. It hasContinue reading “AIKIDO APHORISMS”
Tag Archives: zen
Frank Herbert
Arrakis teaches the attitude of the knife—chopping off what’s incomplete and saying: ‘Now, it’s complete because it’s ended here.’ Dune, Collected Sayings of Maud’Dib by the Princess Irulan I first read most of the Dune saga in high school and arrived at college in Oregon eager, naïvely, to meet its author. A classmate from theContinue reading “Frank Herbert”
Father, Son, Grandson
___________ There are several permutations of the story. A Zen-priest is asked to provide a blessing, and he obliges, “Father dies, son dies, grandson dies.” The beneficiary is confused and angry, “What kind of blessing is THAT?!” And the wisdom is revealed: “Would you rather it happened another way?” With the received wisdom of theContinue reading “Father, Son, Grandson”
