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HEALTH CENTRE
We hope You are enjoying good health. Here is Your issue 42 of 'Harmony of Mind-Body-Spirit' from the Aikido Health Centre.
Your Unique Journey continues with 'Magic & Power in the Martial & Healing Arts'. This series began in March 2006 and taps into the incredible mysterious power at the heart of the martial and healing arts. The feature article is titled 'Summary of Magic & Power in the Martial & Healing Arts'. The healing arts, magic & power in the martial arts, the way of harmony with aikido, the power of ki in the aiki arts, the way of the peaceful warrior - see below... Read on... for our Words of Wisdom, World Community News, and Feature Article. The back issues & unsubscribe links are at the end of the Ezine.
Stay tuned for Next month's NEW Series 'Optimum Nutrition' We turn the spotlight on the most up-to-date ideas on nutrition. What are the most powerful superfoods, how to absorb the nutrients from your food, why minerals are so important, the spiritual properties of food and much more.
Peace and Harmony
Tony
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OF WISDOM
Morihei Ueshiba - Founder of Aikido Gandhi what seems to be missing in our lives." Dr. Wayne Dyer
Carlos Castaneda
Buddha that may be of interest to our subscribers... The continued addition of greenhouse gases to the atmosphere is likely to raise the earth’s average temperature by several degrees in the next century, which will in turn raise the level of the sea. Most of the United States is expected to warm, although sulfates may limit warming in some areas.
Scientists currently are unable to determine which parts of the United States will become wetter or drier, but there is likely to be an overall trend toward increased precipitation and evaporation, more intense rainstorms, and drier soils. Global Temperature Since 1979, scientists have generally agreed that a doubling of atmospheric carbon dioxide increases the earth’s average surface temperature by 1.5-4.5°C (3-8°F). More recent studies have suggested that the warming is likely to occur more rapidly over land than the open seas. Sea Level The warmer temperatures are expected to raise sea level by expanding ocean water, melting mountain glaciers, and melting parts of the Greenland Ice Sheet. U.S. Climate Scientists generally agree on the likely rise in the average global temperatures over the next century. Unfortunately, projecting the change in particular regions is more difficult. Nevertheless, there is a general consensus that temperatures will warm throughout the United States.
THE WAY OF HARMONY Aikido was founded by Morihei Ueshiba (1883-1969), who gained the skill to control many attackers at will. He was unique in his ability to express his understanding of universal principles and laws of nature. He was also a very spiritual person who spent years in study, prayer and contemplation. An excellent way to 'experience' harmony and balance in our lives is to practise the martial art of Aikido. This is an art of Peace that develops in us an acute awareness of our surrounding environment, the ability to be calm, focused, relaxed and centred. Millions of practitioners around the World experience the positive benefits of Aikido - The Way of Harmony
IN THE MARTIAL & HEALING ARTS
More people than ever before are looking towards new methods of healing to help overcome chronic health conditions. There are many natural and complementary treatments available to us in our search for health and vitality. All of these forms of healthcare have an effect on our physical, emotional, mental and spiritual levels of consciousness. The principles and laws of nature and the universe show us that the 'Truth' is so close to us that we cannot see it, in its simplicity. We search for more and more complex methods but the answers are much closer to us than we sometimes think. In fact they are so close, simple, effective and obvious that we tend to over-look them. The following methods have all been proven to be effective for a wide variety of ailments. Acupressure, Acupuncture, Aikido, Alexander Technique, Alopathic Medicine, Aromatherapy, Bach Flower Remedies, Chi Kung, Chinese Medicine, Chiropractic, Colonic Irrigation, Colour Therapy, Counselling, Crystal Therapy, Floatation Therapy, Herbal Medicine, Homeopathy, Hypnotherapy, Iridology, Kinesiology, Macrobiotics, Magnetic Therapy, Massage, Meditation, Music & Sound Therapy, Naturapathy, Neuro-Linguistic Programming, Nutritional Therapy, Osteopathy, Polarity Therapy, Psychotherapy, Reflexology, Reiki, Shiatsu, Spiritual Healing, Stress Management, Tai Chi, Transcendental meditation, Yoga, Zen Meditation. As you can see by the above list, (which is not complete), there is no limitation to your individual choice of available treatments or therapy. In the East, participation in the martial arts embraces all aspects of human activity, from physical, emotional, mental & spiritual. This raises the Oriental fighting arts beyond that of mere hand-to-hand combat. One common feature is the training towards a state of total awareness, reached through intuition rather than intellectual understanding. Certain magical processes appear to be at work that defy rational explanation. The word 'magic' generally appears in the martial arts regarding those techniques thought of as occult or hidden. These methods penetrate the barriers of the physical plane of existence, and connect with a higher spiritual realm. Magic has been on the planet since the beginning, and probably originated in an early desire to have power over natural forces. It has been linked with spiritual and religious ideas of awe and worship of God or the Gods who were invested with supernatural powers. Science, on the other hand, tries to explain, in purely physical terms, how everything works. Normally the practise of magic involves the use of a variety of physical equipment, structured rituals, mental images, and meditation techniques. Each of the fighting disciplines have their own unique clothing, set of pre and post combat rituals, and special forms of meditation type techniques as a compliment to actual physical training.
In the East the 3-part mind-body-spirit lies at the heart of all martial activity and is closely bound up with many ancient cosmic practises and beliefs. Buddhism, Taoism, Shintoism, the opposing energies of Yin/Yang, and the healing arts of Acupuncture, Shiatsu, Massage etc Ki, Chi, Prana, Vital Life-force, magnetism etc. is the mysterious universal energy available to all of us, that can be controlled through disciplined practise. Using the power of Zen meditation we can learn to replace intellect with intuitive action. Zen does not involve theory, but an 'inner knowing' with no dogma involved.
There is still a vast difference in the way the martial arts are practised in the East and West. Instructors in the East tend to introduce, in a subtle way, certain moral, philosophical, and spiritual/magical components to the training. This raises the method beyond merely dealing with a physical attack, to a holistic way of living. The western Instructors that introduce these esoteric ideas to their students are few and far between. Most give their students and potential new Instructors an unbalanced and incomplete view of the martial arts, which they then pass on.
IN THE MARTIAL & HEALING ARTS The important role of healing in the martial arts is frequently overlooked or dismissed in literature on the subject. Behind every oriental fighting system lies an indispensible collection of healing methods on all levels of existence... physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual.
The martial arts and healing arts hold the same theory and principles regarding their success. The main difference is in the practical application. They are based on a vast knowledge of the workings of the human body, put together by masters of those disciplines down through the centuries.
This energy is generally gained through directed action of the body and mind in association with correct breathing technique. Special postures and movements flowing intuitively from a calm, relaxed base are eventually developed to reach mastership.
Aikido was founded by Morihei Ueshiba (1883-1969), who gained the skill to control many attackers at will. He was unique in his ability to express his understanding of universal principles and laws of nature. He was also a very spiritual person who spent years in study, prayer and contemplation. There are hundreds of amazing tales told of Morihei during his lifetime. He always encouraged his disciples to try to catch him off guard, promising a teaching licence to anyone who could do so. Master Ueshiba had trained himself to the level of knowing everything that took place in his surrounding environment and became an invincible warrior.
Gozo Shioda, who was one of Morihei Ueshiba's top students, and the founder of Aikido Yoshinkan, wrote his memoirs. He gave eye witness accounts of several such miraculous events. Once when Shioda was traveling with Ueshiba, they were walking up some steps to a train platform when a man at the top of the steps tripped and tumbled back straight towards them. Morihei "shouted" and the man 'unfell' landing back on his feet at the top of the stairs. Morihei's live-in disciples had been trying to get their master to show them some Ninja stealth tricks, and he finally said he would. He had them surround him armed with wooden swords and sticks and commanded them to "attack!". They felt a stream of air and then heard Morihei call to them from the other end of the training hall, at least 25 feet away. During one demonstration Morihei had a match with Tenryu, a former professional sumo champion. The huge Tenryu was completely unable to budge the small Morihei, who proceeded to pin him to the floor with one finger. Tenryu went on to become one of Morihei's most devoted students. Master Morihei Ueshiba's power was truly mind-boggling, but he remained completely modest about his accomplishments and trained every day.
There are several different styles of Aikido now practised around the world and all have helped to spread the art. The Aikikai and Hombu (head) Dojo is in Tokyo, Japan with the spiritual centre in Iwama, Japan, where the Aiki Shrine is located. Thousands of Aikido practitioners visit to pay their respects and improve their skills. Aikido presents itself as a dynamic form of zen training with a world view of mind-body integration. Many people have found it on their journey to harmony and cooperation, in their quest for balance in nature and the universe. The future of Aikido is assured as long as all practitioners endeavor to train rigorously and strive for spiritual cultivation. This contributes their share to making the world a better place for our children. Aikido enjoys a sound reputation and has won the admiration of people as an ideal form of budo and path to spirituality. This is thanks to the founder Morihei Ueshiba and the early pioneers of the art, who laid the foundation through dedication to training.
IN THE MARTIAL & HEALING ARTS
Because of the almost supernatural claims surrounding the performance of aikido, it was greeted with skepticism when it was first introduced to the west, in demonstrations in France 1951, and in USA 1953. Aiki begins with a certain posture and attitude, a state where the body, breath and mind all become one. When these three conditions are met we are able to express our ki power to the maximum. These are the same conditions that are basic to Zazen (seated meditation). This includes... 1 - Stability of the body's centre of gravity while sitting or standing.
Aiki also involves the control of our opponent, attacker or aggressor... 1 - Unbalancing the opponent.
When all of these conditions are met, we are able to surround our opponent with the overwhelming force of our ki power.
Each martial art has its own particular techniques that are indispensable, and should be worked on for 10-20 years, in order to master them. But ultimately, state of mind or consciousness is far more important. The link between mind and body, spirit and posture, mind and technique is breathing, which becomes ki energy. In Budo the three essentials are... technique (wasa), energy activity (ki), and mind/spirit (shin). Using the art of Zazen (seated meditation), through our posture, we can bring mind and breathing together in harmony. In Zazen, as in Budo and the Martial Arts, many difficulties arise at the beginning of training. But later the correct posture, attitude of mind, and breathing fall into balance easily. At first we must consciously work at it, but after a few years we can concentrate unconsciously. Using Zazen, Concentration on the act of breathing out creates a balance between consciousness and posture. It causes a balancing of the energy of muscles, nerves, and the hypothalamus and thalamus glands. If you practise regularly, you can know the secrets of budo unconsciously, naturally and automatically. The aim is to develop a motionless body, mind and spirit. When we have developed this ability we are powerful, strong and full of positive ki. If we do not dwell upon our thoughts but just let them go by, the substance of the mind is motionless. In zazen you can collect your energy, let your thoughts pass by like clouds, and relax your nervous and muscular tension by concentrating on your posture... Straight back, straight neck, hands joined together, thumbs forming a horizontal line, and by breathing correctly with an emphasis on breathing out deeply into the hara (just below the navel), our centre of gravity. Zanshin is a mind that remains still without being attached to anything, watchful, alert, but unattached. The attitude is most important as it merges the spirit with what we do.
Air contains the energy and life-force of the universe, which we receive through the lungs to every cell in the body. We ordinarily breathe 15-20 times a minute, using only one sixth of our lung capacity. We can learn to breathe more slowly, five or six deep, calm breaths a minute. The concentration should be on the exhalation and longer than the inhalation. With practise this type of breathing can be a regular, basic habit, especially while we sleep. The life energy of the universe is then transfomed in to human energy.
Breathing in is taking in supplies and breathing out spreads them throughout the body. It is important to concentrate on breathing out, on spreading and distributing, as breathing in and stocking up energy happens unconsciously and automatically. The Japanese martial arts use this method of breathing out and attacking the aggressor while they are breathing in, as we are at our most vulnerable on the inhalation. The ki in the aiki arts is developed when the method of breathing is correct. Energy, strength, and consciousness must always be in harmony, without tension, for ki to be strong. The best way to develop this is through a combination of sitting still in zen meditation, and training ourselves for combat, by action through practise. Ki energy is borrowed from the universe and exists beyond mere physical energy. Ki is always the movement of energy with the flow of life.
TO YOUR SUCCESS What can you DO to live a healthy, vibrant and happy life ? The following 'Secrets', applied daily, will help you to make powerful, lasting Positive changes to your lifestyle.
The Aikido Health Centre Web Log is my mini-journal - It lets you know when New web pages appear at aikido-health.com. Keeps you up-to-date with other postings or news about Aikido and Health. Points out some of our past subjects that you might otherwise miss. Aikido Health Blog
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OPTIMUM NUTRITION
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Peace & Harmony
Tony Wilden - Aikido Instructor/Healer
Tony Wilden is an Aikido Instructor and qualified in several Healing Arts. He has a deep interest in spiritual matters, health and environmental issues, and the creation of harmony between people and nature. Tony is on a path to wisdom, freedom and power and shares his insights on aikido, health, universal principles, ancient knowledge and master strategies. The information provided in Harmony of Mind-Body-Spirit is for educational purposes and not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any dis-ease. It should not replace the advice of your health advisor or GP. Remember, knowledge puts You in control of Your life and slow positive changes are best for maximum benefit to Your health. 98 Linden Road, Bognor Regis, West Sussex PO21 2BD United Kingdom |
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