Is Aikido really the only non-violent form of self-defense and what does Aikido do with the rabid dog that just won’t back down? Aikido is a path pursuing “a way.” Whether this or that aikidoist is nonviolent or whether or not they could be nonviolent with a rabid dog does not change the fact that, yes Aikido is nonviolent. Humans have limitations but Aikido is a journey towards an ideal.
Even after a lifetime of practice Aikido O’sensei supposedly said that he was just starting to get it. In taoism there is a path, a way, and then a Way with a capital “W.” THis represents a development from learning, to practice, to a form of being. All of these are part of the “do” of Aikido.
Aikido evolved from some pretty deadly martial arts but O’sensei explored how the techniques could be adapted to rely less and less on hurting and destroying the attacker. O’sensei continued to change Aikido even later in his life after a student died practicing under a direct student and also after a student was injured taking Ukemi from O’sensei in a demonstration. (Stevens; Invincible Warrior) There are no kicks and punches but Aikido has always had “atemi” which looks like a strike but is used specifically as a boundary. O’sensei lessened the focus on atemi because students became focused on hitting which distracted from the aikido technique. (Saito Sensei; Lost Seminars)
Yes people still get hurt by less than perfect Aikido, and yes we cannot guarantee the safety of our attacker but we try. Saotome Sensei states that Aikido is not just a self-defense, it is a way of “preserving our coexistence” (Light on Transmission)
As for the rabid dog; a rabid dog attacks anything it sees as a threat, even doors and cages that stand in its way. The rabid dog is a representation of true violence and aggression. Whether it be an actual rabid dog, an attacker, or bullets flying there is a target, you become the target if you are what is perceived as a threat at that moment. There is also everything else, the things that are not targeted, the spaces in between. If we are free of fear and aggression, if we can be everything else but that target, then the rabid dog never attacks.
“The Art of Peace is the principle of nonresistance. Because it is nonresistant, it is victorious from the beginning. Those with evil intentions or contentious thoughts are instantly vanquished. The Art of Peace is invincible because it contends with nothing.” -O’sensei from “The Art of Peace.”
What I learned from this article is that some people who act like rabid dogs or dangerous attackers have the intent to cause harm or take the life of others. One of the things i agree with is that Aikido should be use for self-defense plus today in our society there are a few consequences in some situations where a person causes intensive pain towards others like if you do a quick technique that causes devastating damages.
In our society self-defense is always question by our peers and by our instructors in the dojo who teaches Aikido and other forms of martial arts.
aiki
As I read the Aikido and the “Rabid Dog” article I became very intrigued. Aikido is meant to be a non-violent form of self defense and when a rabid dog is attacking it doesn’t stop. “As for the rabid dog; a rabid dog attacks anything it sees as a threat, even doors and cages that stand in its way. The rabid dog is a representation of true violence and aggression,” (Jeff). Pure rage is the only way to describe the rabid dog. When the rabid dog is used as a metaphor for someone attacking you a new outlook can be placed. If a robber or “threat” so to speak of consistently comes after you what do you do? In aikido we are taught “that Aikido is not just a self-defense, it is a way of ‘preserving our coexistence’,” (Light on Transmission). So would there be any way to preserve the dog in a way to coexist with us? As an imposing force that refuses to stop I believe that the dog wouldn’t give up no matter how many times it is thrown or pinned into submission. On the other hand, I do believe that the dog can be stopped. Not through the martial way of aikido but through the mental way that is taught. Through the calm and discerning mindset that is taught alongside the martial way of aikido I feel that the dog can be calmed down. Through talking and a calm mind set I do believe that the rabid dog, no matter how angry, can be stopped.