Thought

A few years ago, during an inter-federation seminar, I partnered with an orange belt for one of the techniques we were studying. This is nothing extraordinary, it’s not only common but even desirable in order to improve the quality of the exchange. However, during the whole time we practiced together, this orange belt kept explaining to me how to perform the movements. It may seem strange that an orange belt would offer advice to the fourth dan black belt I was at the time. But at the same time it’s understandable ...

Thejourney lasted several days with numerous stops and checks. The two escapees suffered severely from thirst, because it was impossible for them to leave the wagon in order to drink: at each stop soldiers were on duty on the platforms, preventing any attempt to move. During the journey, they witnessed the bombing of Aachen, which gave them hope that the surveillance would be relaxed. The train crossed the border late at night, which gave them tremendous joy, but there could be no question of relaxing because France was occupied.

When he was transferred to Kommando 424 in Cologne, prisoner Nocquet worked in a brickyard where he loaded tons of bricks onto endless lines of trucks. In the evening he would return under escort to the Kommando to eat rutabaga soup.

Master Nocquet wrote the story of his captivity in Germany during the Second World War. He honored me immensely by giving me copy which he had typewritten himself. I believe I’m not betraying his private life if I describe its main features.

Master Nocquet worked all life long in order to develop Aikido in many European countries. Among all these, there is one in which the message was particularly well received and where the connections made were numerous, high quality, and remain even today, 12 years after the passing away of the Master. This country is Germany, and the reason for this success is largely due to the personal experience of Master Nocquet. This deserves some explanation.

Martial arts were long controlled by schools competing with each other, and which jealously kept their techniques to themselves. This can be easily understood, because in the time of samurais it was better if your enemy didn’t know the specifics of your techniques. Similarly, almost at the same time and for the same reasons, in France our Musketeers had their "secret move". In the same way, Aikido in the last century was originally reserved to Japanese high-ranking dignitaries of the army or the Emperor.

The tolerance, the respect for others, the love that is obviously at the heart of every Aikidoist give him a clearer outlook on religions, and allow him to see what unites them rather than what divides them. Human beings, because of their geographical or cultural origins, are prone to a particular religion. This should not be a problem. Religions are a means, not an end in themselves. They are a path which leads us to the Ultimate.

Aikido brings us a profound balance, gives us solid landmarks to construct our lives. It allows us to find our place in the world, helps us to deal with ourselves and with others. Thanks to it we feel connected to Life, and we feel taking shape in us the answers to fundamental questions relating to the essence of our Being.

A legitimate question may then arise: Is Aikido a religion? This Ki which animates us, which carries us and feeds us, is it connected to the Divine?

Whatwas said last week explains why an Aikido teacher must be watchful of the outfit worn by practitioners. We sometimes meet people who ask us if they can keep distinctive signs required by their religion on the mat. Turning them down is in no way being racist or intolerant. Racism and intolerance are the very opposite of Aikido. To refuse their request is to remain firm on the principles explained last week, principles which are the very essence of the spirit of Aikido. To be permissive on this point is to spoil our art.