Sorry folks, haven't posted much lately. Haven't been to the dojo in about two weeks. Long story. I am still thinking about aikido quite a bit from day to day. Just wanted to share a great book I read recently.
I found a used copy of "Ki: A Guide for Westerners" by William Reed on the American Amazon. This is a really useful, thought-inspiring book. Obviously people who practice aikido and other Japanese arts can appreciate the ideas inside, but it also functions as a guide to self-realization for people from all walks of life.
The author starts with a definition of ki as a "universal energy" and Part I focuses on developing ki. There are quite a few pages about breathing and meditation. Part II looks at finding ki in various Japanese arts including aikido, calligraphy and the tea ceremony.
The author, like Tohei sensei, really wants the reader to understand that ki definitely has a place in the modern (or Western) world. And in this book, he does a great job in explaining the value and benefit of ki as a "dynamic expression of the pulse of Universal Life".
When I started aikido, I made an subconscious decision not to read much on it. As far as learning the techniques, my sensei is far better than any book. But the philosophy still interests me. I miss a lot of sensei's lectures on ki. Must keep studying. Anyway, this book filled in a few gaps for me.
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