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Binding: Hardcover EAN: 9780974645902 ISBN: 0974645907 Label: Linden Tree Press Manufacturer: Linden Tree Press Number Of Pages: 222 Publication Date: 2004-04 Publisher: Linden Tree Press Studio: Linden Tree Press
On Mastering Aikido takes the reader on a journey through the world of the martial art known as Aikido and the teachings of Daniel Linden Sensei and his master, Mitsugi Saotome. Written for advanced students of the art - those who are already conversant with the fundamental teachings - Linden Sensei crosses the line often between teaching and entertaining with humorous, touching stories of years of training in the world's most difficult martial way.
On Mastering Aikido consists of nine dialogs, an Introduction and Afterward. The dialogs are each devoted to one of the main principles of Aikido knowledge, what Linden Sensei refers to as the Eight Pillars of Aikido Wisdom. We discover a ninth in the Afterward, but as Linden says "It is almost impossible to attain." These dialogs are pleasant to read and clearly explain each of the principles in conversation between teacher and student and sometimes teacher to teacher. Interspersed are stories and anecdotes that bridge the gaps between times, attitudes and enlightenment.
On Mastering Aikido applies as well to the study of Aikido as it does to yoga, karate, judo, basketball, tennis, tango or any activity that uses the human body as a tool. The book's focus is on physical mastership and the rules which Linden Sensei lays down can be applied to any human endeavor. It was written to be read as a continuous effort, but each chapter can stand alone or it can be selected for specific interest. The overall effect is almost that of a novel as the reader is swept up in Shoshin Aikido Dojo while students are engaged in training, relaxing and work around the school. European journeys become travelogues as the dialog unfolds. The book is engaging, enjoyable, enlightening and humorous. In an age when most Martial Art books read like math textbooks, it is a rare find.
Spotlight customer reviews:
Customer Rating: Summary: This book changed my life. Comment: Thirty years ago I read a book called 'The Ultimate Warrior' written by a man who had studied a bit of esoteric knowledge and used it in the gym to enhance his performance. The knowledge spilled over into his every day life and enhanced that as well. This book has stayed with me for all these years and I have kept going back to its many messages.
It could have been Linden Sensei doing the teaching. On Mastering Aikido is the first thing I have read in three decades that has been as powerful, as revealing, and as moving as The Ultimate Warrior. His descriptions of the art of moving the body expose the deepest secrets of mastery of all physical endeavor. His simple humility and honesty leaves you feeling exposed and deeply touched.
As for the Aikido? I am only a shodan (1st dan) but my understanding and ability tripled by the time I finished reading these dialogs. I now grasp the idea of 'doing less' and of 'listening with the body'. Most importantly I finally grasp the concept of triangulation. Not just the movement in Aikido, but in the universal sense of the 'golden triangle'. Linden Sensei demomstrates the most profound universal truth - that the evolution of the spiral evolves through the triangular. These concepts are very familiar to mathamaticians, but are merely vague ideas to most of us.
To discover that the strength of the galaxy, the spiral power of the hurricane, the delicate nest of a bird and the power of Aikido all flow from the same formula... and to see the actual math and description in print is pretty overwhelming. Linden Sensei does not just repeat the same tired things, he demonstrates the truth in each and every thing he says.
This is an amazing book. Customer Rating: Summary: An odd mix of conservative politics and aikido Comment: There are some good moments and interesting perspectives in this book. However, I cannot recommend it much due to the author's dragging in conservative partisan politics, in a Rush Limbaugh style. His aikido may be very good, but his perspectives on wider issues pay little respect to the ideals and philosophy of aikido, as expressed by the founder and Saotome Sensei. For those practicing aikido beyond shodan, with deep Bush-Republican views, this will be a good book. For any one with more evolved views, it is an awkward read.
From an integral perspective, setting aside the shadow projections and arrogance, there are interesting points discussed. It can also be a useful exercise to read and see how American Blue vMeme aikido occurs. Customer Rating: Summary: A wonderful read Comment: It is all too often the case that while striving to learn Aikido, the Western practitioner will become entangled in the mysticism surrounding Aikido. Weaker instructors will sometimes hide behind this mysticism when their students question them too closely, giving the impression that the student must become somehow 'more Japanese' before they can truly appreciate these 'miracles' of Aikido.
Linden Sensei puts all of this is the proper perspective. O-Sensei was a fabulous martial artist and by most accounts a wonderous humanitarian and man of compassion. He was also Japanese. His art is steeped the history and culture of Japan. It is entirely appropriate for the student of Aikido to learn as much as she can about Japanese culture and seek an understanding of the historical context of the time when the art was being devised. However, it is not necessary to surrender your identity in order to somehow become Japanese.
In Linden Sensei's excellent book we are reminded that these principles are universal. We are reassured that it is entirely appropriate to embrace Aikido and aiki principles in the language and metaphors that best create meaning for us.
Thank you Linden Sensei, for giving us permission to be ourselves. Customer Rating: Summary: Just great Comment: It could be the opinion of some that this book is for the seasoned Aikidoka or martial artist. But as a non-Shodan myself I found this book extremely helpful. I will admit there were times when I did not understand elements of this book but they were outweighed by the parts I did understand. Sensei Linden has taken all those niggling questions and formed a unique way in which to answer them in a dialog format. There are times when you feel you are actually sitting around during these conversations hearing the so-called "secrets" of Aikido explained in a way we can relate to. His personal experiences and stories of teachers and students alike make for great reading and this book will really have you wondering and will have you take a second look at your philosophy and practice of Aikido. I cannot recommend this book enough and I will say even to the newest Aikidoka, read away and when the time comes when you understand perhaps reading this book would have made your journey to discovery a smother ride. Customer Rating: Summary: A fresh, clear approach, amazingly practical & READABLE! Comment: Finally, a book on Aikido that is, unlike so many other Aikido books, completely readable. But more importantly, Daniel Linden Sensei's fresh approach to mastering Aikido is loaded with "satori". It is simply a must for anyone interested in Aikido or any other marshal art for that matter.
As a shodan from Montreal, Canada, I have read pleanty of Aikido books and studied with several teachers and I have never come across an approach quite like this. It's not that the concepts are entirely new, they've just never been explained like this before.
Also, unlike so many other books which are either purely technical ("The Dynamic Sphere" comes to mind) or purely philosophical, Linden Sensei's book is a very readable balance between the two. Great stories from his life experience make this book very entertaining which is pretty much unheard of in marshal arts books. And as most people know, the best way to teach anything is to keep it entertaining. The result is that all of his principals become very understandable in a very real sense. As good a book as "The Dynamic Sphere" is (it seems to be the most popular), "On Mastering Aikido" blows it away, hands down.
So if you really want to learn Aikido without waiting 30 years to discover the real essence of the art, read this book - and enjoy the many instant satori as I have.
