The Inspiration for Transforming the Body

Last year, at the 2011 ALIA Summer Institute at Ohio State University, I had a very big realization about the connection between practices and rituals, our bodies and our personal growth.  It seemed a lack of routine practices and rituals combined with separateness for how we look at our bodies was contributing to many societal problems.  My realization happened sometime while I was carrying around a Bokken, a Japanese wooden sword used for training.
The activity of carrying a bokken at all times was required as part of one of ALIA’s three day tracts, Awakening the Capacity for Wise and Skillful Action.  Originally signed up for a different tract, I changed my itinerary at the last moment when I was drawn to the words, “Peaceful Warriorship” in the course description.  And so, a journey that still continues began when I joined instructors Barbara Bash, Toke Paluden Moller and Bob Wing for three days.  The following quote about the tract is very telling:

“It is a fierce and gentle way we are training in, to develop the courage and abilities to bring trust to where there has only been cynicism, mistrust and abuse. We practice coming back to our ground, a personal ground of sincerity, courage, wisdom and full participation in life.”

During the course, I learned about Ancient Big Brush Calligraphy, Circle, Chaordic Path, Warrior of the Heart and more.  It was all very meaningful but I had a strong connection to the Aikido energy training and to my wooden sward.  This was a surprise to me, a person who never had any interest in studying a martial art.
Because of what I inherently felt at the conference, I returned home to San Diego and became a student of Aikido.

 Aikido is a martial art that combines a vast array of technique with principles of body, mind, and spirit to help us meet conflict and life more freely and harmoniously. Born as a modern evolution of the traditional Japanese martial arts, Aikido translates as “The way of unifying with life energy.” 

Aikido is one of the most difficult things I have ever tried to learn but also one of great reward and expansion.  I observe a distinct interrelationship between what is happening in my day-to-day life and how I show up on the mat.  There is a direct correlation between my mental clarity, my body’s performance and my spiritual growth.  I am now changed by Aikido and humbly devoted to my practice.
It is largely due to my experience at the ALIA Summer Institute and Aikido of San Diego that the Life Purpose Advisor methods include a significant focus on Transforming the Body and Practices and Rituals.  You will see many more articles about both in the future.  Until then, I urge you to look inside yourself and ask?  What practice and/or ritual is waiting for you to include in your life that will be a transforming experience to your body, mind and spirit?
Photo by Linda Eskin.