"The exercising of weapons putteth away aches, griefs, and diseases, it increaseth strength and sharpeneth the wits, it giveth a perfect judgment, it expelleth melancholy, choleric, and evil conceits, it keepeth a man in breath, in perfect healthe, and long life." – George Silver (1599)

June 24 2011

On Being Ueshiba

The truth is that Ueshiba’s spiritual path is so utterly a product of his time and culture, any attempt to imitate his journey will make you a fool — and not even a “holy fool.” Perhaps you should eliminate the… preliminary steps. Ueshiba did not “follow” a path, he was thrown into each period of his life, passionate and desperate to be other than he was. He was driven rather than led. Rather than retrace his steps, should you not be similarly thrown? Should you not try to find what he pursued, rather than what he did? Could you not replicate those initial steps through a path that encompasses putting up drywall in small-towns in sub-Arctic Canada, tango lessons in Buenos Aires, and painting in a garret in Montparnasse?

Let us ratchet it back, then. Let us talk only about the technology of kokyu and ki…

Ellis Amdur’s Hidden In Plain Sight is a pretty good book.

miles
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