"We find very often that what is false about the basis of our expectations is that we imagine that people should be and should be able to be consistent, and that they should act and should be able to act in accordance with certain standards. But the error of this is that we look at people and at ourselves as though we could do, as though we were one, as though we had free will, as though we were conscious. Reflection shows this is not so, either of ourselves or of other people. It makes no sense to expect other people or ourselves to behave as if they had these qualities which they don't have.

One should be careful not to jump to the opposite conclusion and expect nothing at all. This is equally foolish. The trouble about one's expectations is that they may, a lot of the time, be perfectly realistic. What is unrealistic is that we expect them to be consistently met-- in fact, always, and if the facts ever go against our expectations, then we think there is something wrong with the world or with people. There is nothing wrong at all. The only thing that is wrong is our expectation..."

--H. Ripman

Fudo-Myo-O Sculpture

Dojo 10th Anniversary sculpture of Fudo-Myo-O, installed in the Tendokan's kitchen, after Misogi Harai and dharani chanting.

The sculpture was generously created and donated by Mr. Eric Soroker, artist and aikido practitioner in Bucks County, PA. A deep thank you to Eric from all of us at Brooklyn Aikikai!

A Reading for the Year of the Dragon

The Buddha said, "Ananda, what else can you and the sangha expect from me? I have taught the Dharma fully and deeply. Do you think I have concealed anything from the bhikkhus? Ananda, the teaching is the true refuge. Live according to the teaching. Every person should be a lamp unto himself. Ananda, the Buddha, Dharma, and Sangha are present in everyone. The capacity for enlightenment is the Buddha, the teaching is the Dharma, the community of support is the Sangha. No one can take away the Buddha, Dharma, and Sangha within you. Though heaven and earth may crumble, the Three Gems will remain intact within every person. They are the true refuge. When a bhikkhu dwells in mindfulness and contemplates his body, feelings, mind, and objects of mind, he is like an island unto himself. He possesses the truest refuge of all. No person, not even a great Master, can ever be a more stable refuge than your own island of mindfulness, the Three Gems within you."

— "Old Path White Clouds," Thich Nhat Hanh

Aikido in Saskatchewan, Canada, December 2011

Seminar with M. Flynn Shihan and P. Goatman Shidoin, November 19, 2011

M. Kanai's Almond and Butternut Squash Tart, October 2011.

Aikido and Everyday Life

by Ea Murphy

In the south, where I grew up, there was an understated mythology perpetrated about New York City. People talked about this foreign metropolis in hushed whispers of disdain or longing. It loomed larger than life, and was reputed to be meaner, faster, scarier, and louder than anything a southern girl could handle.

I don’t know why these rumors existed. Since I’ve been in Brooklyn, I’ve found nothing but kindness in the caress of iriminage and stillness in the mornings of zazen. Brooklyn is also incredibly clean – people zokin the floors many times a day. Of course, I haven’t really yet left the dojo. Within the walls of Brooklyn Aikikai, there is a vast world to explore and discover.

In the weeks I’ve been here, I feel myself being kneaded, shaped, and molded into something different. I am used to working hard – that is nothing new. I have been a student; I have trained in aikido. The thread that weaves this all together, though, when living in the dojo, brings new meaning to all these pursuits. From the morning offerings to the kami, to the ringing of the han in the evening, there is a motivation other than my own interests. And, in and of an instant, I suddenly disappear and simply trust the rhythm of the dojo.

Recently, I have been struggling with how to make aikido work in my everyday life. I have jostled, prodded, pushed, and wedged the pieces of family, career, recreation, finances to make room for aikido. I have refused to budge or give up any part of my training. I drive miles and miles and squeeze minutes out of hours and days to satisfy this insatiable thirst.

During class, sensei scolded us, “You can’t expect to just come on the mat and do aikido”. You have to take care of your body, your life…you have to be attentive throughout your day. Oh…it hit me like a kokyunage…aikido and everyday life. I thought I had heard that before. But, in a flash, I actually felt it. There is no separation on and off the mat. Living in the dojo, this is the constant practice, reinforced by a weariness and exhaustion that puts the ego to sleep. Going home, this is the glowing ember I must carefully tend and feed.

I am incredibly grateful to the fire that burns in Brooklyn Aikikai, and the incredible community of people who give so much of themselves to keep it bright and hot. It is touching and inspiring to witness it for a moment. Who knew that in the mythical New York City I had heard about growing up, I would find such kindness, open-heartedness, and connection. Gassho.