Aikido

If one cares only about form, then it is like being thrown into a prison that is the form. It is the same as being left without freedom.

However, this is not the keiko we are looking for. Isn’t the opposite true—that we are trying to free ourselves from a situation without freedom in order to learn the Way?

We practice Aikido ultimately to become more free. We must savor the situation when we receive the vibration from our partner; we must open our senses, taking into account the circumstances of our environment so that action can be created: now, in this moment.

Of course, this is budo, so there are certainly people who seek to defeat opponents, defend themselves, and become stronger. And that is fine. However, if one diligently seeks the top, aspects such as self-defense and martial application are acquired naturally.

I hope we continue to practice by valuing the vibration and connection of this moment, now, now, now...

Endo Seishiro Shihan. Vibration and Connection.

To be a budoka

A budoka is not a fighter. A budoka is defined by a way of living, acting, looking, and being. Fighting is not their goal; their goal is to live and breathe like a budoka in every moment.

If there is a conflict, his goal within it is not to lose his status as a budoka. To face it, to resolve it, even to win. But to truly win, in a sustainable way, is possible only in one way, without attacking or fighting.

The true budoka wants to win without having to fight, and that is his struggle, hard, intense, vital… With his fears and weaknesses, with his dark thoughts, with his inherited habits and schemes, with his anger and violence.
All these allies come disguised as enemies to those who do not look at them, to those who do not accept them; but when conflict arises, it is even worse, and the struggle is none other than identifying them as allies, as a pure and intense energy that belongs to us, that conforms us, that completes us.

And yes, it is possible to overcome, and victory is not defeating, annihilating or hiding, but integrating, completing, commanding and using these energies, just as a general leads and commands his armies on the battlefield.

But sometimes the budoka will fail, and will confront, attack, and lose himself; and when this happens, he knows that he has already lost, and there is only one thing left for him to do: reclaim his freedom, his wholeness, his peace, and his border, return to his castle, and reclaim his status as a budoka.

Luis Mochón

The Way of the Budo

The Budo is the path traveled by Budokas. At first one travels it with interests and goals. At that time one is not a true Budoka, but is accompanied by true Budokas, physically by their Dojo comrades and sensei, or Spiritually by the warriors of the past who inhabit and manifest themselves in the tradition, and that, if the walker allows it, will let the inner Warrior emerge. Over time, when the true Budoka blossoms, he or she travels the path without interests or goals (mushotoku); he or she travels it for the same reason that the sun rises in the morning or the moon sets at night.

Luis Mochón