World Aikido-Yoga - Melbourne Australia About Us

Meditation in Motion

For thousands of years, meditation has been considered essential by those who truly aspire to progress along the path of self-discovery and self-mastery because it brings awareness of how our minds work. We initially start to develop the skill of staying in complete consciousness by becoming aware of our breathing, and by turning our attention inward. With meditation, we become a student of the processes that occur with our own mind and body simply by remaining in complete silence, with complete awareness and consciousness.

"Move within, but do not move the way that fear makes you move."

[ Rumi ]

With practice, we create integration and wholeness within ourselves. With silent observation, we simply watch how we create our own thoughts or emotions, and how the energy created from our emotions and mental attitudes effects our entire physical and spiritual system. This detached observation empowers us with the freedom to choose whether or not to allow our thoughts and emotions to control us. We learn to distinguish what is really important - to see what is actually happening (ie. reality), as opposed to the inferences, beliefs, attitudes and emotional turmoil that we allow to control our lives.

Within the dynamic and diverse fabric of human existence, all approaches to self-actualisation are valid. No approach is superior and each human being will fulfill his or her destiny by the method which is most palatable to individual character, temperament, socialisation and understanding based on education and experience. A hinderence to realising the posibilities of your potential is that of intolerance, prejudice or judgment of other people and the methods they pursue individually or collectively to gain a better understanding and acceptance of their seemingly infinitesimal existence in an infinite universe.

"The Aikido I practice has room for each of the world's eight million gods and I cooperate with each one of them. The Great Spirit of Aiki enjoins all that is Divine and enlightened in every land. Unite yourself to the Divine, and you will be able to perceive gods wherever you are."

[ Morihei Ueshiba (1883-1969) ]

shihonage_inside At the highest levels of Aikido-Yoga training, our relaxed physical and mental state resembles that of the person sitting in peaceful meditation. The difference is that this relaxed state of being is required to be maintained while we are being attacked. In Aikido-Yoga, an attacker therefore actually enhances the process of our mental and spiritual development. In fact the situation created by our training partner is critical for our effective development. Without the psychological, mental and physical challenge of our training partner, we have to rely on solo exercises that do not offer us the instant tangible feedback necessary to accurately gauge our progress.

In Aikido-Yoga, if our technique is not performed with the correct integration of mind, body and breath, then our training partner is either able to successfully execute the attack against us or put up resistance to any attempt by us to control his/her aggression. However, if the Aikido-Yoga technique is performed with the correct spirit, the attacker is helplessly swept up, while the mind of the defender remains calm - centered in the 'eye of the storm'.

If executed with a non-violent mindset, a kind of dynamic balance is experienced between us and our training partner. The attack is instantly neutralised with minimal physical effort and without struggle. This ability is a direct result of our being able to transcend our primary awareness beyond our ego, and slowly facilitates a growing realization of a connection between ourselves and our training partners. Once this is truely experienced, gratitude, great joy and love permeates our being.

"Ultimately, you must forget about technique. The further you progress, the fewer teachings there are. The Great Path is really No Path. "

[ Morihei Ueshiba (1883-1969) ]

Man has devised many names to describe this experience. Great sages throughout history have attempted to point the way by use of symbols, allegory, poetry, art, music and movement. They have also devised many disciplines that offer a path to enlightenment. The universal requirements of all methods are courage, determination, patience and persistence. The universal rewards of such effort are self-knowledge, compassion, wisdom and a fathomless wellspring of joy that naturally emerges from deep within the core of our being. We begin to live with complete integrity and complete honesty. Authenticity, selfless service and a healthy lifestyle characterize a life strengthened by the power of contemplation, introspection and meditation.