Recently one of the senior instructors in our dojo returned after an 8 month absence due to painful phlebitis in his leg & foot. Dr David Jones is anthropology professor at U of Central Florida, author of several books including "Martial Arts Training in Japan" (for gaijin), and wrote the forward in Saotome's first book "Aikido and the Harmony of Nature."
During class after he had clapped and everyone returned seated in seiza, he said (and please forgive the paraphrazing of my surviving brain cell LeRoy): "Hand someone a hammer and what will they do with it? Even a toddler will hit hit something with it. That's what a hammer is for. Now hand someone that hammer and tell him 'this is George Washington's hammer.' Folks will go 'Wooooooooo. . .' and the chances are they won't dare to use it.
"Why? Because if it's George Washingon's hammer it is a revered entity of great historical value and worth. We wouldn't think of just bashing something with it, not only because we might damage it, but its essence will have transcended the normal essence of a hammer.
"Aikido is like that hammer. What is aikido to you? Is it just a hammer to bash something, here a martai art opponent, or is it George Washington's hammer? Aikido has come down to us from The Founder and his great deshi as something of great value, tradition and worth. If you come to the dojo only to enhance your fighting skills and intent on bashing something, that is the most immature level of training. You choose to make yourself the toddler with the hammer. We have been handed George Washington's hammer and trusted with it. It's up to all of us how we envision it and use it in our lives."
Doc always gives us food for thought. I found this metaphor compelling, especially after his long absence. I've trained with him long enough to know that he is not saying don't train to use aikido in the world; it is still, as he oft reminds us, a MARTIAL art. He's referring to our mindset. When we enter the dojo we pick up George washington's hammer.
What do we then do with it?
Gil Gillespie