Training in the Dark

Show me what you have when there is nothing. When you are exhausted, when you suffer, when you cannot see.

During the Aikido workshop we trained for 20 minutes with blindfolds. It was amazing how the darkness changed into shape, direction, force and feelings. The other senses became sharper, the movements became more economic, softer and more effective. It seemed some of us doubled our skills in Aikido. Instantly.

If you want to gain you have to give. If you want to lead, you have to follow, if you want to see the truth, close your eyes.

Closing the eyes also directs our mind and attention from the future to the present. The eyes see, the weak mind wants. The eyes are closed the mind may rest.

Photo:http://www.cambridgeincolour.com/