Today's Schedule:

5:15-6:15pm Aikido

6:30-7:30pm Aikido

"Act of Kindness"

During the Memorial Service for 2nd Doshu on Janunary 7, Rev. Kojima Sensei made an interesting comment which struck me deeply but I think was unnoticed by all of the students.

During his talk, he pointed to the "za-buton" or cushion he sat on for the service and said, "This is an act of kindness!" and continued his talk.

When he said this, I was struck deeply in my heart.

We have a very nice purple za-buton which only the priest sits on when he performs Memorial Services for O'Sensei and 2nd Doshu in the dojo. Even I do not use this for myself. I have it only for the priest.

Last year, I asked the students to bring it out for the priest, but I only got, "We can't find it!" So, last year, Kojima Sensei sat on the bare wooden floor and performed the service. I think students do not know how hard and uncomfortable this can get. I was ashamed that there was no cushion for the priest but he didn't say anything or complain.

This year, the students didn't forget and the cushion was prepared for the priest, so this year it was very comfortable for him. When he pointed to the cushion and said, "This is an act of kindness." I realized that he remembered from last year. . . .

The cushion is not only for comfort but it is also a sign of respect in Japanese culture.

I hope we never forget the za-buton again.

In Aikido and in practice, through ignorance and lack of understanding, we can inadvertently cause pain to others. In practice, we must reach a point where this never happens to ourselves and others.

To be considered a reliable and trustworthy person - I can think of no graeter compliment.

To be faithful to the art, is to be faithful to one's self. Practice is the mirror of your life, the more you take a look at your own life, you more you will know what to do. . . .