First, improve the self!

​In the past few years, I have been working with the leadership in our Takemusu Aikido Association (TAA) to enhance our instructor training and certification program. I have been struggling with how to build as well as assess a critical attribute of a good instructor, namely integrity.
 
As a personal attribute, integrity refers to the unhindered inside-out alignment of a person, or the ability to reflect the soul in all thoughts, feelings, actions and dealings with the world.
 
For example, when a person does not truly believe in, or have grasped, the existence of a life force (Ki) that permeates all things in the universe, it is a challenge for him to think in term of harnessing it and using it; and it is all the more difficult for him to teach others how to extend Ki while performing Aikido techniques. Furthermore, when this person is not in touch with the life force, which is the basis for the art of Aikido, and has not attained some degree of peace within himself, it would be preposterous for him to strive to bring peace around the world by promoting Aikido.
 
When harmony is not already inside us, any attempt to create it outside or around us will sow conflict and discord. It is a little bit like trying to relax will make us more agitated, unless we are already on the way to relaxation. In other words, we cannot create something that already exists except for it being covered by dirt. 
 
Unfortunately, such integrity is not the behavioral norm in the world that we currently live in. Many leaders are unable to lead themselves. Several preachers commit the sins that they preach against. Many teachers do not practice what they teach. Law enforcers regularly disregard the laws. Health providers often do not know true health. Integrity is a rare personal characteristic.
 
The ancient sages have known about this problem of humanity.
 
In the Orient, the great Confucius’ teachings include this precept for his students: 

• Improve the self, (修身)
• Stabilize the family, (齐家)
• Govern the nation, (治国)
• Pacify the world. (平天下)

 
These four steps are recorded in the Book of Great Learning, one the Four Books (四書) that contain the essential concepts and teachings of Confucius. They are part of an 8-step program to become a true Confucian scholar. The order of the prescribed actions is of primary importance. First, cleanse yourself and attain inner peace; then you will be able to create and maintain stability around you, such as in your family life. Once you have this support system around you that reflects your principles and way of life, then you can attempt to reach out further and establish orderly relations in the larger community and society. Finally, allow this larger framework that is in sync with your innermost beliefs, to carry the resonance of your soul and spread it far and wide in the world to build peace.
 
The Founder of Aikido had similar instructions for his followers:
 
“Aiki fosters the spirit of harmony throughout the world. . . We must bring all people of this world together so that they can live in harmony. . . Start with self-improvement, and then put one’s household in order. After that, work to improve conditions in one’s nation and strive to establish harmony throughout the world.” (The Secret Teachings of Aikido, by Morihei Ueshiba).
 
With this perspective in mind, I feel that, though our ultimate goal is to promote Aikido and bring peace, it is more urgent for us to reinvigorate our effort to train and purge ourselves of impurities that hinder our alignment with the soul of the universe. Rather than focusing our effort on teaching and changing others, we should focus on creating a path within each of us that allows our soul to shine through and guide others. We must first be peace, live peace, then create peace, before we teach peace.
 
This is perhaps the implicit reason why the TAA leadership has been more focused on sponsoring training seminars than enhancing the instructor certification program.
 
Hoa Newens
May 6, 2019