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Bamboo in Moonlight The production of this masterful painting of "Bamboo in Moonlight" required a powerful state-of-being capable of creating each leaf with only one single, deftly skillful stroke of the brush. Similarly, Aikido-Yoga training teaches us how to take decisive action, free from physical and mental tension.
To better understand the state-of-being required to produce this wonderful work of art, picture a calm lake that not only reflects its surroundings clearly, but also allows you to look beyond the surface of the water to what lives and lies beneath. Negative human emotion, such as greed, anger and hate are like storms that churn up the surface of the lake - distorting reality. The goal of meditation is therefore to "calm the waters" of our mind so that we can see ourselves and the world more clearly. The creative martial artist, like the master painter, seeks expression beyond the surface - beyond the form. Our goal is to experience the underlying reality of things - the creative life-force from which all forms of existence come into being. Like the master painter, once physically and mentally centered, we are better able to clearly discern reality. Furthermore, with awareness, we gain the ability to look beneath the surface to see our true, authentic nature. So, like the master painter, once the technical skills relating to the art have been mastered, the Aikido-Yoga practitioner allows the busy surface of the mind to settle, and be still. Eventually, he/she then transcends technique, and like reflections off the smooth lake surface, simply allows spontaneous action to arise out of this ‘stillness'. Beneath the surface of the still lake, at the very bottom, there is a layer of mud. If stirred, the clear water (ie. analogous to the mind) quickly becomes murky with all sorts of debris, creating many hindrances to progress. There are four things that can help clear the murky waters of the mind:- Firstly: Mindfulness gives us the ability to “see” what is going on in our external and internal world. Secondly: Concentration focuses and enhances this “seeing”, allowing not only observation of our thoughts and emotions, but clear observation of the spaces between them as well. Thirdly: Faith, or lack of doubt in the process gives this “seeing” a clear and active quality, with no excuses or wrong thinking to impede progress. Fourthly: Continued progress in our “seeing” requires sustained intent and effort, which in turn requires unwavering courage, patience and endurance. Mindfulness and concentration allows us to recognise the difference in our various states of mind. Our Aikido-Yoga practice is therefore performed slowly enough so that we can become aware the instant that we are not physically balanced or mentally centered. Once aware, we first simply note what exactly is happening in our mind or in our body. This allows us to naturally straighten up physically, or become centered mentally. Appropriate thought and effortless action arise from this state of being, whether the activity being performed is martial-arts or painting. If mindfulness, concentration and wisdom were not in balance, this stunningly beautiful painting of “Bamboo in Moonlight” would not possess its rare qualities of poise and grace. With patience and diligent training, we gradually grow as strong and as supple as the bamboo - hollow inside, yet strong enough to be able to withstand even the most severe winds of change and circumstance. Julius Aib,
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