Happy Holidays!

Here's wishing a safe and happy holiday season to all of you followers of the way! I hope to see you soon!

Messisco Sensei

Here are a couple of highlights from the recent seminar with Dan Messisco Sensei. Thank you Dan!

Day Seminar with Dan Messisco Sensei

On Saturday, Oct. 17 Michigan Aikido will host a day seminar with Dan Messisco Sensei (6th Dan). Training will be from 10-noon and 3-5pm. Cost $50. Mat space is limited. For more info contact: danny_kline@hotmail.com / 419.494.8058

Beginner's Mind

For in much wisdom is much grief: and he that increaseth knowledge increaseth sorrow. ecc. 1:18

15

The ancient Masters were profound and subtle.
Their wisdom was unfathomable.
There is no way to describe it;
all we can describe is their appearance.

They were careful
as someone crossing an iced-over stream.
Alert as a warrior in enemy territory.
Courteous as a guest.
Fluid as melting ice.
Shapable as a block of wood.
Receptive as a valley.
Clear as a glass of water.

Do you have the patience to wait
till your mud settles and the water is clear?
Can you remain unmoving
till the right action arises by itself?

The Master doesn't seek fulfillment.
Not seeking, not expecting,
she is present, and can welcome all things.
-Lao Tzu

Old and New

Here is a link to an interesting article comparing rankings systems over the years in japanese martial arts. http://www.judoinfo.com/ranks.htm

38:5

"Ritual is the husk of true faith, the beginning of chaos." Lao Tzu

Thank you Ken Sensei

Thank you for an excellent keiko and good fellowship! Please come back soon.

Kaz Tanahashi

Kaz Tanahashi, a direct student of O Sensei, will be teaching calligraphy and talking about training with the founder as part of the zen workshop series at Shobu Aikido of Ohio. More information can be found at http://www.toledozen.blogspot.com/ and http://brushmind.net/

Fiddling with this
And that technique
Is of no avail.
Simply act decisively
Without reserve!
-O Sensei

Thank you Dan Sensei for a great class!

19

Throw away holiness and wisdom,
and people will be a hundred times happier.
Throw away morality and justice,
and people will do the right thing.
Throw away industry and profit,
and there won't be any thieves.

If these three aren't enough,
just stay at the center of the circle
and let all things take their course.

-Lao Tzu

Driving Directions To Dojo

Here is a link for driving directions and a campus map. The visitors parking lot is just off of Oakwood Drive and Olds/Robb is just East a couple of buildings on the same road. The entrance to the building is on the far side. See you on the mat.


http://www.emich.edu/recim/directions.htm.

Keiko begins!

Ann Arbor Aikido has found a home at last and will begin by meeting every Wednesday from 5-7pm. We have a very large top quality tatami mat space to welcome all practitioners. Class fee $5 for EMU REC members, $15 for non-members*. Use of Rec center facilities available for the day to any participants.


Ann Arbor Aikido
100 Olds/Robb Combatives Room
Eastern Michigan University Campus
Ypsilanti, MI 48197

For more info call: 419.494.8058

*Membership to EMU REC available to public for $80/Semester.

New Space

We have found a new home!

53

The great Way is easy,
yet people prefer the side paths.
Be aware when things are out of balance.
Stay centered within the Tao.

When rich speculators prosper
While farmers lose their land;
when government officials spend money
on weapons instead of cures;
when the upper class is extravagant and irresponsible
while the poor have nowhere to turn-
all this is robbery and chaos.
It is not in keeping with the Tao.

Road trip

There will be no class on Saturday, March 28 in order for us to attend the Gleason Sensei seminar below. Class will resume next week.

Gleason Sensei Gasshuku

William Gleason Sensei, author of the newly published "Aikido and Words of Power", will return to Shobu Aikido of Ohio to lead a gasshuku the weekend of March 27-29. For directions and entire class schedule please go to: www.toledoaikido.com.

Thank you Dan Sensei!

Thank you so much to Dan Sensei for a wonderful and challenging seminar today and for generously sharing your insights with us. We eagerly await your next class. Domo arigato gozaimashita.

March 7 Seminar

Training will begin for Ann Arbor Aikido with a seminar with special guest instructor Dan Messisco Sensei (6th Dan). This is a one day seminar on Saturday, March 7 from 10:30-noon and 2:30-4pm. Cost $50. You can find a collection of video clips of Dan Sensei at http://www.youtube.com/user/dendando.

Regular classes will follow every Saturday from 10:30-noon. Fee $10/class.

Best

"I am willing to accept less than the best, but never to strive for less than the best. To do otherwise is like taking aim without setting your sights on the bull's eye." D. Shaner