“Martial Intent” Probably Doesn’t Mean What You Think It Does
By Sensei Guy Hagen September, 2017I’ve trained in many martial arts and martial sports. Countless times I heard various senseis tell us to “keep martial intent!” While all arts and sports are designed to be practiced safely, our teachers often remind us that there is a very serious side to what we practice, and we […]
In Search of the Divine Sword
By Sensei Guy Hagen October 14, 2015 O Sensei told us we must seek to make our techniques all divine techniques, but we overlook the mystery and mastery in techniques that happen to every one of us every time we train. In Zen Buddhism, the principle of mushin can be interpreted as “everyday mind”, implying that a […]
The Parable of Poison
By Sensei Guy Hagen December 16, 2014 The Parable of Poison is an old Taoist lesson that speaks to the heart of Aikido. Two brothers are farmers that have cultivated the land their whole lives. One brother grows his crops to feed others and help his community. The other brother grows plants in the pursuit […]