Welcome to the Brooklyn Aikikai web log. Our purpose is to provide to our community and beyond an online account of weekly articles, thoughts, and community happenings. The web log is moderated by Ryugan and Kate Savoca. We welcome any submissions in regards to Aikido, Zen, Misogi and Iaido or weapons study. We would also be interested in receiving any thoughts on cultural activities or practices that support a healthy, organic lifestyle with particular emphasis on their relation to the above mentioned arts. Please send only serious submissions – we reserve the right to edit articles for content or length, however, we will work with authors to preserve the integrity of their thoughts. Thanks for visiting and please check back regularly!

-R. Savoca

Wednesday, February 20, 2013

Quote from Master Takeda Mokurai for Reflection

"They say that if you practice Zen, you will be calm.  Some misunderstand these words because they are attached to the literal sense of the word 'calm.'  They think they will be completely unaffected even when struck by a thunderbolt.  But this is not true.  The subtle meaning of Zen lies in spontaneous response.  If thunder peals, we peal, too; if an earthquake comes to shake us, we ourselves shake with it.  It is childish to say that those who practice Zen will never care nor fuss about anything."

-from Zen no Katsatsu