Shenzen-Aiki-Tendo:Over the years I have trained with quite a few teachers in various forms: Goju-Ryu, Shotokan, Shorin-Ryu, Kyokushin, Wado-Ryu Karate styles along with Aikido, as well as Jojutsu. While these particular arts take different paths up the same mountain, they are more similar than different. The teaching methodology retains more idiosyncrasies than do the physical applications. No matter what you study, a punch is a punch, a throw is a throw. Call it what you want, its all the same under the surface. The idea of not getting hurt while deflecting an aggressor's violence. I heard an intersting phrase recently: Shenzen-Aiki-Tendo, and decided I should research this a bit. What I found is this name has multiple meanings. On a purely secular level it means that when attacked, blend with the enemy and use the Divine techniques passed down from the ages to keep one from harm. On a more esoteric level is means before the hostility becomes violent, get to know or understand the attacker's true intentions and using only that technique necessary to protect oneself and others (including the attacker) from debilitating injury. This is also known as: "The Way of Heaven". Shenzen Aiki Tendo uses different kanji for Aiki than Aikido, that is because the practice of Shenzen Aiki Tendo is not limited to being a particular martial art, but rather is an ideal for living one's life. (or that we could put these ideals into practice each and every moment of the day) By combining all Japanese arts into one, we have unlimited access to the means and methods of generations of Samurai and Masters at our disposal. Shenzen Aiki Tendo is viewed differently depending on one's point or frame of reference. Karate students might say "they punch and kick like us" while aikidoka will be heard exclaiming "Their throws are different than ours, and they don't always allow the attacker to roll away." They also might notice that only a fraction of the paired practice after white belt level deals with responses to wrist grabs. Kendo or Iaido students might watch a class on kenjutsu and notice that real weapons work adds a level of realism unavaiable in Kendo, or Iaido. Jujutsu practitioners will add "It looks easy when they do it". So we train hard/regularly and become very comfortable with the physical manifestation of Shenzen Aiki Waza. But... to put the deeper philosophies into everyday practice is much harder. We can do this each time someone cuts us off on the road, or insults us at the financial aid office. We can deal with inept or irate people and address it calmly, listening to their point of view first and then offering as response that does not allow them to continue their aggression. I personally allow injustices to take up way to much of my waking moments. I brood, get angry, mistrustful, resentful. I complain, and whine to anyone who will listen. But I also try to make it through an entire day without complaining about anything or anyone. I don't often make it multiple days in a row. But one day, God willing, it will become the norm and not the exception. Here's a list I found on the various explanations. Some of these might go against your personal beliefs, some might resonate. Treat this as mere dictionary entries to a concept that is more complex than just one meaning. The spirituality of: Shenzen-Aiki-Tendo no Kenkyukai (戦前遭気天道の研究会)
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