News from Aikido of San Luis Obispo / Safe-SLO Nonprofit

October Training Theme
Perspective

Perspective can be thought of as a lens through which we see. The word perspective derives from Perspectus/Perspicere (inspect, look through). Perspective implies a particular range of sight from a certain place or spot. Depending on one's perspective, reality can be seen in many different ways. For example, when we shift the angle of a telescope-or move it to another spot-we get a different perspective; we are able to see something new, and possibly quite different.

Consider the ancient story of the Blind Men and the Elephant:

A group of blind men came upon an elephant and wanted to know what it was. Each one touched a different part of the elephant's body. "The elephant is like a tree," declared the blind man touching the leg. "The elephant is like a sharp spear," argued the one feeling the tusk. "No, it is like a giant snake" insisted the one at the trunk. "The elephant is like a rope" argued the one at the tail. They began to fight amongst themselves. The dispute could not be resolved because all of them were right in describing a part of the elephant, but all of them were wrong in mistaking their perspective for the whole elephant.

Any perspective is inherently limited. Understanding this inspires us to be open and curious about the larger picture. When we take in the view from another person's perspective, we gain information and we are in a better position to make choices.

All Aikido techniques contain the element of shifting perspective. Tenkan is one of many physical examples of how we change our angle to a position that lets us see from the attacker's viewpoint. From this position of alignment we are better able to lead the attacker's energy/movement to a place of neutralization.

The grand shift of perspective that Morihei Ueshiba (O'Sensei) brought to the martial arts can be summed up in one sentence: The purpose of Aikido is not to win, but to stop the fight. O'Sensei believed the true purpose of budo is not to take life but to protect life. Whether physical or non-physical, when conflict arises, it is often easier to proceed toward resolution after we have seen from the other's perspective. O'Sensei's dictum, Massakatsu Agatsu, (True victory is Victory over the Self) implies a shift of Perspective from winning over others to "winning" over the discord within oneself. Whether we practice on or off the mat, a shift of focus and perspective can soften our reactions and change our experience.