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\nIs 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. <\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
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) <\/p>\n
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) <\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
“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.”<\/em> -O’sensei from “The Art of Peace.”<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" 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, … Continue reading Aikido and the “Rabid Dog”<\/span>