9th Kyu Essay: Shoshin

In the Spring of 2004, I met Mark Lemmon Sensei (Rokudan) when I joined the Sikokan Aikido dojo. I had studied Tae Kwon Do for many years in my youth and was looking for something different to act as body practice in my Zen training. At the same time I met Jay Rinsen Weik when I traveled to Toledo to visit the Toledo Zen Center. When I arrived I found that the TZC was located in the dojo of Shobo Aikido of Ohio (Weik Sensei is a Yondan in Shobu Aikido).

I realized at that time that I was in a very interesting a potentially fruitful situation. I threw myself headlong into my Aikido training with Lemmon Sensei, and would travel to Toledo to take part in the activities of the zendo and the dojo when I could.

As my 9th kyu test approached, I was at stage in which I was awash in new information, and techniques. I also had a sense that the freshness was something that needed to be cultivated, even though it seemed to come so naturally at this stage. Lemmon Sensei spoke to this concept as we began the period of test practice. (which lasts 2 weeks before every test) Looking back now, I have truly enjoyed the manner in which the principles of Zen and Budo overlapped and played with each other.

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the essay...
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Shoshin: The Beginner’s Mind


(originally printed in) April 2004


In taking on this wonderful practice, we cannot help but feel overwhelmed at first. With a seemingly endless stream of techniques and points of etiquette, not to mention Senesei’s efforts to convey the history and philosophy of Aikido, there is much to be attentive to.

From this we develop a natural aspiration to learn, not only because of our new fascination with this art, but because of the ease and confidence that comes from knowing. When we come to our second, fourth, or tenth class, we find that we are more familiar with the routine and the basics of what we are doing. This feels good. However there is an edge in this good feeling that threatens to cut our throat.

In speaking of authentic practice, Zen Master Dogen (13th Century Japan) warned that it is harder to be careful as we progress in our training. This is true whether it is Zen training, Aikido training, parenting or any aspect of living. When things become familiar, we get habituated into the repetition of the day. We allow ourselves to fall asleep in what we do, treating each day or each class just like the next. We can become sloppy, not just in our technique, but in our lives.

When we begin to slip into blind repetition, we must make deliberate effort to develop Shoshin, or “beginner’s mind”. Although we begin in this state, we lose it when skill and familiarity inflates the ego. Shoshin is a state of mind that must be cultivated ceaselessly. This means continually raising that keen awareness and attention to detail that is so natural when we take on this practice with an unknowing mind.

We might bother to ask ourselves why this happens. Is each day just like the next? Is it just our mind that sees the repetition? If we recognize that each moment contains the entire universe, then what can be repeated? In this we recognize the unique and precious nature of this moment, whether it is happening in the Dojo, at the dinner table, in church or at our workplace. Shoshin becomes the watchful guardian of a life that is lived, unhindered, in the present moment.

I would end with acknowledging that a fundamental connection exists between Shoshin (beginner’s mind) and Zanshin (finishing mind). In terms of Aikido practice however, I would not presume to understand the connection at this time.

I offer this with sincerity,

Rob Bondy

p.s. I would not dare to claim that this short exposition grew entirely from my own introspection. This is an exposition of what I have learned from three key sources;

1. My study of Aikido under Mark Lemmon Sensei.
2. The Dharma talk entitled “Being Authentic” by Geoffrey Shugen Arnold Sensei, a monk at Zen Mountain Monastery.
3. (and finally) my own direct experience.

Origins of Aiki Essays

In order to streamline the blog, I am editing the original welcome and explanation of AikiEssays that appears at the top of the page. It is being reposted here, so that I can can keep a record of it.

Welcome

In the spring of 2004, two wonderful things happened in my life. I started training in Yoshinkan Aikido with Mark Lemmon, and I started visiting the Toledo Zen Center with Jay Rinsen Weik. My Aikido training began as a way to enrich my Zen practice. Although Yoshinkan Aikido does not embrace the spiritual aspects of Aikikai that are rooted in the kototama, it is deeply rooted in the principles of Japanese budo. As such, my training was very much focussed on journey of the human spirit. In this way, my experiences in Yoshikan Aikdio were exercises in the spiritual.

As I was beginning my journey in Aikido, Lemmon Sensei's two senior students were beginning to prepare for their Shodan test. Among their many preparations, they had to write a short essay on their understanding of a principle of budo, studied in special kenshu classes. I was intrigued by the concept of having to express one's own personal understanding of budo in an art that many see as a purely physical exercise. When I prepared for my first test, I decided to write my own essay on a topic that seemed very present in my training at that time; shoshin, or beginners mind.

My Sensei and I never discussed the essays that I submitted, but he always accepted them happily, and even published current ones on the dojo website. As time went on, my tests were fewer and further between. (There are 9 test before the Shodan test in this style of Aikido). Eventually, I began writing essays about experiences that arose between testing periods and posting them on the bulletin board outside of the dojo. Again, these were unsolicited but welcome, and some made them onto the dojo website.

I am beginning this blog to share with others the essays that I have written, and will continue to write on the experiences that come into focus during training and then flow out of the dojo, into the rest of my life.

I am just an ordinary person, sharing his imperfect view of a beautiful existence. I hope that at least one essay will provide at least one moment of thought and reflection for one person.

Over the next several months, I will publish the essays that I submitted for each test from 9th Kyu through Shodan, as well as some of my others. I hope you like them. I would love to hear your experiences as well.

This entire process has been an exercise in expression; utilizing expression as a catalyst for deepening my own understanding.

Osu & Gasho.