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THE 13 RULES FOR
AIKIDO INSTRUCTORS
1) Aikido reveals to us the path
to oneness with the universal. To coordinate body and spirit and become one
with nature itself is the chief purpose of aikido training.
As nature loves and
protects all creation and help all things grow and develop, so we must
teach every student with sincerity and without discrimination or
partiality.
2) There is no discord in the
absolute truth of the universal, but there is discord in the realm of
relative truth. To contend with others and win brings only relative
victory. Not to contend and yet win brings absolute victory. To gain only a
relative victory sooner or later leads to inevitable defeat. While you are
practising to become strong, learn how you can avoid fighting. By learning
to throw your opponent and enjoy it and to be thrown and enjoy that too and
by helping one other in learning the correct techniques you will progress
very rapidly.
3) Do not criticize any of the
other Martial Arts. The mountain does not laugh at the river because it is
lowly, nor does the river speak ill of the mountain because it cannot move
about. Everyone has his own cvharacteristics and gains his own position in
life. Speak ill of others, and it will surely come back to you.
4) The martial arts begin and
end with courtesy, not in form alone, but in heart and mind as well.
Respect the teacher who taught you and do not cease to be grateful
especially to the founder of aikido who showed the way. He who neglects
this should not be surprised if his students make light of him.
5) Be warned against conceit.
Conceit not only halts your progress, it causes you to regress. Nature is
boundless; its principles are profound. What brings conceit? It is brought
on by shallow thinking and a cheaply-bought compromise with your ideals.
6) Cultivate the calm mind that
comes from making the univversal a part of the body by concentrating your
thoughts on the single spot in the lower abdomen. You must know that it is
a shame to be narrow-minded. Do not dispute with others merely to defend
your own views. Right is right. Error is error. Judge calmly what is right
and what is wrong. If you are convinved that you are wrong, manfully make
amends. If you meet one who is your superior, joyfully accept his teaching.
If any man is in error, quietly explain to him the truth, and strive to
make him understand.
7) Even a one-inch worm has a
half-inch spirit. Every man respect his own ego. Do not, therefore, slight
anyone, nor hurt his self-respect. Treat man with respect, and he will
respect you. Make light of him, and he will make light of you. Respect his
personality and listen to his views, and he will gladly follow you.
8) Do not become angry. If you
become angry it shows that your mind has wandered from the single spot in
the lower abdomen. Anger is something to be ashamed of in aikido. Do not
become angry on your own account. Be angry only when the rights of nature
or of your country are endangered. Concentrate on the single spot, and
become angry all over. Know that he who is easily angered loses courage at
important moments.
9) Spare no effort when you
teach. You advance as your students advance. Do not be impatient when you
teach. No one can learn everything well at one time. Perseverance is
important in teaching, as are patience, kindness, and the ability to put
yourself in your students' place.
10) Do not be haughty instructor.
The students grow in knowledge as they obey their teacher. It is the
special characteristics of training in Ki that the teacher also advances by
teaching his students. Training requires an atmosphere of mutual respect
between teacher and students. If you see a haughty man, you see a shallow
thinker.
11) In practising do not show
your strength without some good purpose lest you awaken resistance in the
minds of those who are watching you. Do not argue about strength, but teach
the right way. Words alone cannot explain. Sometimes by being the one to be
thrown, you can teach more effectively. Do not halt your student's throw at
mid-point or stop his Ki before he can complete a movement, or you will
give him bad habits. Strive always by word and act to instill in him the
correct Ki and the art of aikido.
12) Do whatever you do with
conviction. We study thoroughly the principle of the universal and practise
it, and the universal protects us. We have nothing to be doubtful or to
fear. Real conviction comes from the belief that we are one with the
universal. We must have the courage to say with Confucius: If I have an
easy conscience, I dare to face an enemy of ten thousand men.
(Extracts from
Aikido in Daily Life)
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