Josh Gold
The Japanese word “ganbaru” is a verb meaning to “hold out”, to “stand firm”, and to “persist in” an activity or endeavor of meaning. The image is one of “holding fast to the end”, of a special kind of tenacity or stubbornness that brooks no interference or obstruction to a perceived goal.
“Nothing in the world can take the place of persistence. Talent will not; nothing is more common than unsuccessful men with talent. Genius will not. Unrewarded genius is almost a proverb. Education will not; the world is full of educated failures. Persistence and determination alone are omnipotent.” These words attributed to an American president, Calvin Coolidge, appear quite pertinent today.
To seriously undertake the in depth study of a martial art, is to require a commitment that is both resolute and consistent, one that will sustain the seeker for the duration of a lifetime. No half hearted attempts to “check it out”, or to “see what happens”, are the attitudes welcome here.
Such a search also requires full knowledge of what is required to begin such a journey, both of the subject matter itself, and of the person’s individual talents, characteristics, and realistic chances to complete such an undertaking. The actual search itself will surely test the resolve of the seeker, and will provide ample answers to key questions along the way.
It appears to this student of Aiki, that most students of an art like Aikido may be ill equipped, or inadequately prepared to make such an important and full commitment to the study of Ueshiba Aiki, and to the creation of their own brand of Aikido. Too many have been observed “trying it out” for a brief time, and sadly quitting long before they have given either the study of Aiki, or themselves, a fair chance.
Perhaps the real odds of any group of people taking on a challenging endeavor are necessarily slim for having a high success rate. Nonetheless, thought and care should be given by established instructors and teachers of the martial arts to honestly explain and describe the requirements to, and for the benefit of their students, for a successful study of their respective art forms.
The students themselves, however, bear the ultimate responsibility of genuine, and self honest effort to study their martial art of choice, for a meaningful duration of time, and thereby reap the true benefits of such an endeavor.
The Aiki principles are very rich with the promise of real life lessons, through rigorous training, under competent instruction, that any honest and sustained effort will be worth the attempt.
The students must resolve to be “ganbariya”, to prove to be hard working, tenacious and committed seekers of the treasures and truths that come from persistent training.
Ganbatte Kudasai!!!
In Oneness…
Click here to view the original article in Aikido Academy USA. Reproduced with the permission of the author.
Dear Takahashi Sensei,
How true in today’s world of high speed internet, email, and other avenues of instant gratification. If one has to wait for the results, heaven for bid work for them as well, then “it’s not for me”. My sensei used to say, “if you quit, you’ll never know how close you were to succeeding”.
In gassho,
Mark W.
When I originally took up Aikido in my mid-30s on the east coast and then on the west coast, I seemed to have made a commitment without the resolve to persist… after one year of study, I dropped off and then 30 years passed… When I returned to Aikido here in West Virginia, I made a commitment, and this time had the resolve to persevere! I attend all classes available, usually two two-hour classes per week (sometimes a third, when available.) I seldom miss a class. I am in my eighth year of study and such persistence has enabled me to achieve the rank of Sandan. Whenever I travel, I seek out Aikido classes to visit, and this expands my horizons. Looking bac,k the orientation of my life has been Aikido. I am now 70, have no intention of giving up! I am not the fastest learner, but by putting one foot in front of the other I progress! I love it!