True Victory

"Though one should conquer a million men on the battlefield, yet he,
indeed, is the noblest victor who has conquered himself." Buddha

Heron Standing in Water

"The bird moves when it must; it does not move when stillness is appropriate.
The secret of its serenity is a type of vigilance, a contemplative state. The heron is not in mere dumbness or sleep. It knows a lucid stillness. It stands unmoving in the flow of the water. It gazes unperturbed and is aware. When Tao brings it something it needs, it seizes the opportunity without hesitation or deliberation. Then it goes back to its quiescence without disturbing itself or its surroundings. Unless it found the right position in the water's flow and remained patient, it would not have succeeded." -Deng Ming-Dao

Thank You Dan Sensei!!!

Thank you so much to Dan Messisco for traveling into the rainy abyss to lead our keiko this evening. A great time was had by all and we hope you'll come back soon and often.

Seigo Yamaguchi Shihan

I Am That

"That in whom reside all beings and who reside in all beings, who is the giver of grace to all, the Supreme Soul of the universe, the limitless being - I am that."

-Amritbindu Upanishad

Acceptance and Resorption

In the sword there is no sword;
make a sword of the body.
In the body there is no body;
make a body of the spirit.
Like a firefly, round; by its
radiance, apparent.
Waiting not, scheming not,
thinking not, pausing not,
As if turning circles on a stage,
As if pressing a gourd in water.
-Kunii Zen'ya

Sakura Co. - Tools for the study of the Way

http://sakura-co.blogspot.com/

I Pray for the Freedom and Liberation of Tibet

Blessed are the meek for they shall inherit the earth.

Guest Instructor

I am pleased to announce we will have a special guest instructor for this Wednesday's session. Doug Krohn is an assistant instructor at Shobu Aikido of Ohio under Jay Weik Sensei and a good friend. All are welcome and encouraged to attend.

77

"The Tao of heaven is like the bending of a bow. The high is lowered, and the low is raised. If the string is too long, it is shortened; If there is not enough it is made longer.
The Tao of heaven is to take from those who have too much and give to those who don't have enough.
Man's way is different.
He takes from those who don't have enough and gives to those who already have too much.
What man has more than enough and gives it to the world?
Only the man of Tao.
Therefore the sage works without recognition.
He achieves what has to be done without dwelling on it.
He does not try to show his knowledge."
-Lao Tzu

43

"Once you know that death happens to the body and not to you, you just watch your body falling off like a discarded garment." Sri Nisargadatta Maharaj

8.7.8

"The hard and strong will fall. The soft and supple will overcome." -Lao Tzu

7.28.08

"...the human heart,...when perfectly placid and clear, reflects the very image of the Deity." -Inazo Nitobe

Jizo

Jizo is known for his vow not to achieve Buddhahood until all hells are emptied; therefore,
he is regarded as the bodhisattva of hell beings. His famous vow, recited by many Buddhists, is, "Not until the hells are emptied will I become a Buddha; Not until all beings are saved will I certify to Bodhi."

7.23.8

"He Who Knows Others Is Wise. He Who Knows Himself Is Enlightened." - Tao Te Ching