|
| In
desperation he put an ad in the local
paper, "One person wanted to
practice Aikido..." Instead several
people came, hoping to learn. None
had practiced Aikido before. And so
it fell upon him to pass on the art
in order to continue to pursue his
training. Having no alternative than
to share what little he could, things
began to grow and he was back in training
and sharing what he loved most. Many
times his health failed and classes
stopped altogether. For years only
one or two people turned up to train.
But he persisted doing what little
was possible, gentle, regular installments
within the ability of the day. Despite
serious disabilities, he continues
to teach and coach, deriving great
joy from the growing development and
skill of the students. |
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|
| Student
- Teacher Relationship |
 |
| A
general overview, from an Aikido/Budo
perspective, with context to today's
world. |
|
| To
understand this relationship one has
to go back to the military origins
of Budo when it was still Bujutsu. |
|
| In
early times retainers were expected
to serve their lord without question.
And die. They were fed, housed and
paid and did as they were told. These
were not usually, if ever, taught
by the Daimyo or Shogun or whom they
served. Rather the equivalent of the
sergeant. Unlike modern "leaders"
the ancients prided themselves in
being an example in battle and often
sought to lead their men. Leaders
led in the field, in actuality, and
not by hiding a bunkers in another
country as has became the more modern
cowardly trend. In simple terms; they
knew their job. |
|
| The
trend of exemplary leaders began to
die with the advent of gunpowder,
the cannon, and other sophisticated
but more randomised mass murder technologies
of war. These new weapons of chaos
meant battle no longer relied on personal
skill and became a more random and
chaotic affair. So men were generally
sent in as being expendable cannon
fodder. Despite the pretty rhetoric
and propaganda back home, it was known
that they had ceased to be valued
for their skill, but rather for their
ability to, right or wrong, blindly
take orders. When skill was the mandate,
leaders led. And moreover were actually
capable of doing so, by example their
men were inspired to follow them.
This would give rise to the unique
camaraderie only surviving combatants
can know. A mutual respect, which
runs deep, because it is born out
of facing death together, and beating
impossible odds, and for a while at
least, is allaying the clutches of
this inevitable, ancient friend. |
|
| With
varied and devious political agendas
in place, a quick, decisive win was
not always what the rulers wanted.
They generally sought mass mind manipulation
back home for purposes of accumulating
lucre. The soldiers, despite the public
"honours", medals, smiley
stamps, brass bands etc. were privately
considered to be trash by leaders.
Publicly of course it was all fake
smiles, voluble praise, circus and
show. That's why only young men volunteer
for war. The brain has not fully matured
and they tend to buy into such deception.
The reality of gore is different than
the stories of glory. |
|
| In
the comfort of the suburbs, we no
longer train for purposes of war,
but for self-improvement. And perhaps
self defense. Some claim to train
for "spiritual reasons"
but this has no meaning unless it
can be further articulated. To date
no one has been able to do so, but
this is most usually relied upon when
the lack of efficaciousness of technique
is pointed out. Does this mean that
ineffectuality equates with spirituality?
I don't think so. It more likely points
to a form of lazy complacency and
a desire to resist change but cling
to the label of 'martial art.' Or
simply profiteer from dancing and
tumbling in the name of Budo. Dance
is good too, if you are honest about
it being just a dance. |
|
| For
some reason there has always existed
an element of Do, even in the times
of Jutsu. However in peacetime the
exercising of warrior skills, in a
controlled environment, is a way particularly
predisposed to therapeutic mind-body
effects, a personal growth path of
enlightenment, or Do. This is because
of its challenging nature. This is
good. However when a 'Do' becomes
too conceptualised, stylised, dogmatic
or entrenched in mindless habit, the
element of self-deception tends to
arise because of the loss of the edge,
or the element of practical survival
application. It then loses both the
Jutsu potential and also the Do and
becomes a mere waste of time. Or worse
a pathological, contentious, political
ego based, deleterious influence.
This is always a risk. |
|
|
Whether
in times of Jutsu or Do, the element
of teacher-student/student-teacher
respect has always been evident.
As
far back in history as there are
records, even in the Vedic scriptures,
the relationship between student
and teacher was a deep, spiritual
and respectful matter. In all fields,
including war skills.
|
 |
|
|
| In
the battle of Kurukshetra, (An epic
of this event was written and later
editions mythologised it) over 5000
years ago, Arjuna the archer was heard
to be whingeing to his charioteer
and teacher, Krishna. One of Arjuna's
main gripes was that many of Arjuna's
favourite Sensei's had chosen to be
on the other side of the field, as
enemies. In those days, in that region
of the world, a teacher was called
"Guru", in the simple and
original meaning of the word, which
was simply: "Teacher." And
so naturally he felt reluctant to
be placed in a position of having
to defeat those whom he once had immense
respect for. And still did. For him,
it was an untenable position. He found
it intolerable as it posed a very
real moral dilemma for him. Most of
the Bhagavad Gita is a long diatribe
of Arjuna's bitching and complaining,
in the middle of a fully activated
battlefield, about how he does not
want to fight! A bit late for such
sentiments, and Krishna responding
to the effect of; "You are a
warrior. Do your duty. Their choice
of politics is their choice. We are
here and now. Maintain your moral
integrity..." ...and so on and
on and on. Sprinkled with a few enlightenment
teachings as well. In the Sanskrit,
Arjuna uses the term "Guru",
meaning "Teacher." Of course
over time the term "Guru"
became corrupted, and the gullible
became "followers" of self-proclaimed
"spiritual leaders". And
so people gave their integrity away
in order to "follow" or
train "under" a grossly
mythologised, ordinary human being
who had mastered mainly the arts of
deception, mind manipulation and a
few tricks to impress with. A deceiver
who profited from unthinking "followers." |
|
| There
is a danger of this in the so-called
martial arts world (and other fields)
of today as well.
Conversely
there are a lot of seriously dedicated
teachers who very lovingly and unconditionally
serve their students to the best
of their ability. But ultimately
YOUR PATH IS YOUR DO. No one else
is responsible, or accountable for
the destiny you choose to navigate
in this life.
|
|
| Exercise
DISCERNMENT. The first skill of the
warrior; be selective in your choice
of teachers. I say, "teachers"
plural, advisedly. One of the first
signs of a false or insecure teacher
is the draconian political ploy to
stifle your growth by barring you
from learning elsewhere. Why? Because
you might actually learn something,
gain perspective, see his worth (or
lack of it) and never return to him
thereby reducing his profiteering
base! |
|
| I
have always encouraged my students
to cross-train and it is disingenuous
to do otherwise. Most return. I do
not teach for profit, but love of
the art and watching people reclaim
and empower themselves with rare skill.
After all, this is the purpose of
Budo, Aikido in particular. O'Sensei
cross-trained most of his life. As
have I. In all arts and sciences,
even ballet, good students avail themselves
to as great a variety of teachers
as they can. And then select carefully
and judiciously. How much more in
so called "martial" arts
that may one day mean the difference
between physical survival or otherwise? |
|
| As
O'sensei once stated: "If you
are a serious Sensei, do not quit
your day job!" |
| A
Sensei, like any other teacher is
a mere servant. One who professes
to be able to exemplify what he purports
to teach and has the best interest
of each and every student at heart.
Of course this is not always the case.
Often, many Senseis' have no field
experience whatsoever and tragically
many have never had a real combat
encounter. (Deception number one.) |
|
 |
|
| Well,
cringe indeed. Would you for example
receive brain surgery from someone
who is doing it out of a book? I think
not! And yet, out there in the world,
there are countless individuals purporting
to teach "self defense",
WHO CANNOT DEFEND THEMSELVES AND DO
NOT KNOW IF THEY CAN BECAUSE THEY
HAVE NEVER TESTED THEIR SKILL OUTSIDE
THE DOJO!!! |
|
| Cave
at Emptor - Buyer Beware |
|
| This
is relevant. Traditionally, respect
is due both ways. In any school situation,
otherwise anarchy will prevail, but
not adulation or worship. |
|
| Why
is it then that the respect factor
in some dojos is a one-way traffic
affair? Is it the limelight? Does
the teacher imagine that he is some
kind of star? If so, on what basis?
A hakama? A black piece of cloth worth
$12 or so? A certificate? |
|
| Hmmm. |
|
| Humility
should also be a both way thing. |
|
| The
student-teacher relationship is a
very simple thing. It is based on
RESPECT. |
|
| That's
it. |
|
| Mutual
respect, because both teacher and
student are both STUDENTS and still
researching the art. Otherwise not
only is the art dead, but in Budo/Self
Defense etc., so could an overly confident,
under trained, coloured belted and
certificated but incompetent person
be in the event of a real confrontation. |
|
| Respect
is essential, particularly in a Dojo.
For here we place our trust, our safety,
our health and our lives in the hands
of another person. There exists a
real element of risk. People can usually
tell the calibre of a Dojo immediately
as they walk in, by the atmosphere.
Thug behaviour and bullying in a dojo
is inexcusable and subhuman behaviour.
I have witnessed bully-thug dojos
where little or no respect is evident.
The injuries are endemic. |
|
| In
the Dojo, respect is duly formalised
as Dojo etiquette and must be observed.
It has purpose. Mainly safety. Off
the mat, it is a personal thing. Some
Sensei's have no problem with first
name basis. Others still have a lot
to learn. Or unlearn. The respect
factor also extends to a possible
enemy. Never underestimate an attacker
and avoid fights wherever possible. |
|
| If
you want to be a star, please, do
not set your goal on becoming a sensei
or teacher of any kind. Rather go
to Hollywood. But take acting lessons
first. They expect some degree of
skill there too. |
|
| A
teacher who fails to show due respect
to his students is not worthy of any
respect himself. Leave the dojo. (It
is up to you to discern whether your
true worth is being refined and your
false ego being slapped around by
the challenges presented by training;
or there is genuine abuse present.)
Please realise that "ego massage"
does not make for authentic progress
and that Budo is intended to be purification
by challenge! So learn to deal with
your stuff. Focus on training, refining,
improving and serving, not the discomfort
of doing so! Budo is not for shallow
personalities who want results 'gift
wrapped' through minimal effort, quick
results (like the movies) and then
go out and become a 'star'. On the
contrary: It is a Way of Life, of
persistence in overcoming personal
limitations. |
|
| Do
not expect to be noticed unduly by
a teacher if you are not making any
serious efforts to develop. In Aikido,
a minimum of three sessions a week
is essential before any authentic
changes can take place, plus your
own discipline around proper nutrition,
sleep, meditation and related studies.
All "homework" should be
your own initiative. |
|
 |
|
| On
the other hand, the word "Sensei"
is indicative of precession, arising
from the prefix "sen" which
simply means "Gone Before",
or having traveled the Path just a
little longer. This does not mean
that he has all the answers including
which washing powder to use. It simply
indicates he has been at it, researching
the art for a few years longer. That's
all. On this basis it may be that,
whilst merely human, and having all
the foibles we mortals are heir to,
that he or she may have something
to offer, and that you may learn and
grow together. On this basis respect
is due. |
|
| And
so, the relationship should be one
of MUTUAL RESPECT. Any less and it
is not good. Any more and you risk
becoming a follower (I will not comment
on some who have transgressed the
teacher-student boundary with sexual
exploitation. Such is a grave error
and basically an unforgivable misuse
of the position of responsibility).
|
|
| Followers,
or people who train "under"
a teacher are dolts of the first order.
"Under" is not the place
to be. It is a compromising position
where integrity is at risk. And as
for followers... well, we all know
the story of lemmings. Think for yourself.
Always. Aikido is not a cult. |
|
| Exercise
your human integrity. Train "with",
or not at all. |
|
| It
is well known that this relationship
often has been, and is from time to
time, exploited. Whether in Japan
or anywhere, this does not undo the
error or in any way make it less.
Even O'Sensei had some very serious
difficulties with one of his teachers. |
|
| My
suggestion to all students is this:
Question everything. Think for yourself.
Keep training as YOUR OWN personal
journey. Maintain your integrity.
Serve the Dojo as a team effort and
contributor always giving extra with
no expectation of reward. And help
the junior students grow, with kindness
and respect. |
|
| Do
not blame the teacher if your attendance
is minimal and so you make no progress.
Would you do this at tech or university
and still expect to pass? No. So show
some self respect, honour the promises
you once made to yourself, accept
no excuses, make yourself accountable
and take responsibility for your own
progress. |
|
| This
will prepare you to become a good
teacher one day. The world needs them. |
|
| And
teachers: With respect, TEACH. You
are a servant so keep researching
and learning. |
|
| And
to all and sundry, respect must be
mutual. Otherwise it is wasted. |
|
| We
learn and grow together. Not at the
expense of anyone. Aikido is an all
win situation, where respect is reciprocal. |
|
To
conclude, the relationship between
student teacher should be one of deep
and enduring mutual respect born of
assiduously researching, meeting and
mastering challenges on this Way of
Bu, together. When this exists, treasure
it. In today's world such relationships
are comparatively rare.
©
Copyright - Nev Sagiba - April 2005
Best Wishes
Sensei
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