After a handout, The Higashi, from Imaizumi Sensei, founder of the New York Ki Society and former Chief Instructor for the Eastern Region and the United States for Ki Society; founder and current Chief Instructor at Shin-Budo Kai in New York City.

5.1  IMAIZUMI SENSEI COMMENTARY ON GYOSHU JIKKUN

In 1979 Master Koichi Tohei announced the 'Gyoshu Jikkun' (Ten Precepts for Spiritual Training).  These precepts were published one by one as the opening article in the Japanese newsletter Shinshin Ichinyo from May, 1979 till March, 1980.  I am eager to introduce these ideas to my American students.  For this issue of The Higashi, I have translated the 'Gyoshu Jikkun' and briefly summarized them.  

When we carry out these precepts, we must know the relationship among the 'Ten Precepts for Spiritual Training' and the 'Four Major Principles to Unify Mind and Body'.  If we want to embody (1) 'Uchu-reisei', (2) 'Ban'yu-aigo', (3) 'Kansha-hoon', and (4) 'Intoku-kahõ', we should follow the principle of 'keeping one point in the lower abdomen'.  In the same way, if we want to embody (5) 'Jigan-on'yõ' and (6) 'Kan'yu-taido', we should follow the principle of 'relaxing completely'.  Also, if we want to embody (7) 'Shinryo-meisatsu' and (8) 'Taizen-fudõ', we should follow the principle of 'keeping weight underside'.  Finally, if we want to embody (9) 'Seiki-hatsuratsu' and (l0) 'Shishi-futõ', we should follow the principle of 'extending Ki'.  

The real meaning of the 'Dojo' is the place where we carry out the Way.  Many people misunderstand that the 'Dojo' is only the place where they take lessons.  We should continue the 'Gyoshu' or 'Shugyo' (spiritual training) not only in the regular classes but also in our daily life.  In other words, we must realize that we become One with the Universe by embodying the 'Gyoshu Jikkun' in our daily life.

5.2.1  UCHU-REISEI  (Have a Universal Spirit)

The Ki of the Universe is continuously moving without stopping even for a moment.  Nobody knows what is moving the universe.  We temporarily call this moving force the 'Uchu-rei' (the universal spirit).  We surround a small portion of the Ki of the Universe with our body and say, "This is me".  When our mind and body are unified and calm, the 'Uchu-rei' manifests itself completely.  This feeling of the 'Uchu-rei' within ourselves is called the 'Reisei-shin'.  

The ultimate purpose of our Ki training is to intuitively feel and embody the 'Uchu-rei'.

5.2.2  BAN'YU-AIGO  (Love and Protect All Creation)

Ki is the infinite gathering of the infinitely small fundamental particles.  All things are born of the Ki of the universe.  If we trace our life and body or even a raindrop clinging to the roof eave to its origin, all of them are the Ki of the universe.  Only when we have the spirit that loves and protects all forms of creation, can we develop a true love of mankind.  We maintain our human life at the sacrifice of other universal forms such as animals, plants and minerals.  

While we are alive, we must acknowledge our indebtedness to these sacrifices and try to do our best.

5.2.3  KANSHA-HOON  (Be Grateful and Repay One's Kindness)

Our mind and body are born of the Ki of the universe.  We are born through our parents.  They cannot get a child as they wish, but they are blessed with a child from the universe.  We should appreciate how much we owe to our parents who have brought us up since our embryo-hood till our present age.  If we realize that our life is sustained by the universe, it is only natural that we should express our gratitude to our parents as well as to the universe.  Filial duty is a fundamental way to show our gratitude to all things.  

We must know that our grateful mind is like a key which can correct the disorderly world.  It can rebuild the public spirit of harmony.

5.2.4  INTOKU-KAHÕ  (Do Good in Secret)

Everyone is apt to think that any words spoken will vanish immediately.  However, those words never totally vanish.  A bad spirit produces bad thoughts, bad words, and, eventually, a bad result.  We must clean our mind and purify the stream.  We should do what we can for others with no hope of reward or recognition.  

When we perform 'Intoku' (good done in secret), good things will necessarily come to us.

5.2.5  JIGAN-ON'YO  (Have Merciful Eyes and Genial Face)

The moon is clearly reflected in the water when the water is calm.  In this same way when our mind and body are unified and calm, our eyes will be gentle and merciful.  When we keep one point in the lower abdomen by relaxing completely, our face naturally becomes genial, like balmy spring weather.  

One who acquires the inner aspects of Ki training will have merciful eyes and a genial face and will cherish indomitable courage.

5.2.6  KAN'YU-TAIDO  (Be Forgiving and Tolerant)

Suppose a man makes ten mistakes.  We should not scold him for every mistake.  We can try to correct some of his errors but we should be forgiving towards others.  In this way, he will not be totally discouraged.  He will be able to recognize his mistakes and change his way.  

If we patiently keep undesirable matters to ourselves, we will necessarily explode with our anger some day.  On the contrary, if we absorb all things into the infinitely small one point in the lower abdomen, like a magic pot, nothing will remain.  We will be tolerant of others' mistakes.  

By being forgiving and large-hearted towards everyone, we can, for the first time, enlighten other men.

5.2.7  SHINRYO-MEISATSU  (Think Deep and Judge Well)

Everyone has the potential capacity for good judgement and clear thinking.  Our brain waves are nonstop and can never be reduced to zero until we die.  But it is possible to quiet the mind, to become calm mentally and physically.  By condensing the One Point in the lower abdomen infinitely (like half, half, etc.) our mind becomes infinitely calm.  

We must cultivate our 'Reisei-shin', the spirit which connects directly with the universe, for then we can think deeply, consider the true nature of all things, and judge well.

5.2.8  TAIZEN-FUDÕ  (Be Calm and Composed)

The real immovable posture is found in the calmness within the most rapid movement.  We can keep the calmness because we can react like lightning to whatever may happen.  When we know the movement of the universe and observe the trend of the times, we don't need to worry about daily trifles so much.  Just as a lightning rod redirects the lightning safely into the earth, we can ourselves absorb everything into the infinitely small one point in the lower abdomen.  

If we are calm and composed, we will be able to deal with any grave situation or emergency.

5.2.9  SEIKI-HATSURATSU  (Be Positive and Vigorous)

The absolute universe is One.  Then two opposing forces appeared, and the relative world was born.  In the Orient this dualism is called yin and yang, in the West plus and minus.  When we keep One Point in the lower abdomen and relax completely, our personal Ki continually interchanges with the Ki of the universe.  When our body is filled with the Ki of the universe, we are vigorous and are in the state of plus Ki.  

We must be positive and vigorous men who can guide everyone around us into the plus way of life with our own plus Ki.

5.2.10  SHISHI-FUTÕ  (Persevere Diligently)

The Ki of the universe has never stopped even an instant since the universe was created.  We endeavor to realize our universal spirit through our Ki training.  Therefore, it is strange for those who seek the true Way to forsake their Ki training.  When we persevere all the time based on the 'Four Major Principles to Unify Mind and Body', we will be able to improve our own subconscious mind and to calmly live our life.  

We must persevere diligently and continue our Ki training.

5.3  THE PHILOSOPHY OF MASTER UYESHIBA

As man lives he continues to receive Ki and when his body is filled with this spirit he is full of life, vigor and the joy of living.  When the flow of this life force is depleted he becomes frail and ill and when the flow becomes weaker and finally ceases, his body dies and decomposes.  

Since ones own Ki is part of the universal Ki we should let nature lead us, allowing Ki to flow so that we are at one with the universe.  

This sound's quite simple, but we have become so used to stopping the flow of Ki that we find it difficult to be helped by nature.  If we are to be helped then it is we who must be prepared to change and live in accord with spirit.  

Aikido means the oneness of the way of the spirit, of being at one with the life force.  It is this consciousness of Ki that will achieve art where you now have facility.  

In your training you must atune your state of mind to be aware that your Ki is a living force.  Coordinate your mind and body and let your Ki flow.  Remember that before you can control your opponent's body you must first control his mind.  Always lead his Ki, never try to stop his force but draw his power from him and turn it aside, directing his energy at your will.

Seek to become conscious of being filled with Ki, the power of the universe, and to use that power well.  To be at one with this great power is Aikido, the way of the spirit.