Day Three

Today is day number three of our "deshi" journey. We have now both participated in at least one class. Amber was in her first class today. I woke up this morning, after working all night and totally exhausted, to Amber putting her Gi on for the first time. It was quite a moment. I was unable to attend this morning as I needed to rest from being up all night. I didnt get a chance to see Amber in practice but she said she had fun. She also said she may have some bruises coming from the learning the falls and the rolls. It has been a super experience thus far and we look forward the many memories and friends to come. We havent had much time to socialize with our other uchideshis but we did get a chance to go to dinner with them last night. They have been very kind to us since we have moved in and have made us feel very comfortable with the transition. They reviewed the house rules with us and gave us our individual daily chores. I look forward to classes and feel very happy with our decision. During this journey, I not only want to journal my daily experiences but I also hope to educate and inspire. So for this blog, I want describe to you the meaning of ki and the path to Budo:

In the Japanese dictionay Ki means:
1) spirit, soul 2) feeling 3) intention, inclenation

"Aikido is the path to be consciously connected with the universe through Budo. Budo is the path to transform the body-mind-spirit in order to become a compassionate, wise, and strong person for the mutual welfare and prosperity of all living beings. Consequently, Aikido and Budo are one..."

..." When we look deeply into phenomena and analyze their nature, we become aware of the fact that everything is connected with everything else, that nothing occurs by itself. Every phenomenon is the result of causes and conditions, both direct and indirect, which are themselves the results of other causes and conditions, and the deeper we search for their origins, the more causes and conditions appear endlessly, like a huge mesh. After training ourselves to look at phenomena in this way, we become much more sensitive to details that escape the untrained person. We see people and events differently, and we have more control over our emotions, which clears the way to make better decisions."

As we go through the days in our lives, we all come to a place of purpose. We have all questioned our purpose on this earth at one time or another and we have all answered that question to our internal selves at some point along the way. For me, I have pondered these questions many times. What is my purpose? What am I doing here? What is real?
Have you asked yourself these questions before?
If so, then maybe you too may be searching for the truth as I.
For those that are, I have wrote a poem. Please enjoy.

We question this life
in search for the truth
for one trapped in trife
is living proof
that theres more to this stay
than our common day
our purpose on earth
to constantly pray
for peace to prevail
our lives we lay
in spite of our trail
we must find our way
connect with our center
and love and obey
follow our dreams
and refuse to stay
in that life of trife
for another day
our existence on earth
is here to stay
your reality is yours
and you have the say
to keep the life simple
im told is the way
but its just a dimple
of whats comes if you pray.