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Budo is a matter of intense physical training coupled with deep contemplation and introspection. These writings are here shared to assist the reader in their own necessary reflections and to provide further insight in our dojo for the potential student.
Senshin Center
The Martial Way
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David M. Valadez
Mar 5, 2022
Where is the Baby?!
Modern Man has desacralized the world, or rather his experience of the world. At the time he was desacralizing the world, he did not...
David M. Valadez
Feb 8, 2022
The Three Substantial Marks of Aikido
The three substantial marks of Aikido are the skill in producing the mystical experience, the skill of internally generating a separating...
David M. Valadez
Jan 14, 2022
"Modern Aikido"
The phrase “Modern Aikido” is meant to denote two things: 1) A departure, negative in nature, from the art practiced and developed by the...
David M. Valadez
Dec 25, 2021
Americanist Aikido
When I speak of an “Americanist” culture, I am not referencing the great foundation and roadmap laid out by the Founding Fathers of the...
David M. Valadez
Nov 24, 2021
Sensei is not Uke in Aikido
Throughout the history of martial arts from geographical China, some arts more than others sought to supplement internal aspects with...
David M. Valadez
Nov 24, 2021
Nietzsche and the Aikido Crisis
When it comes to addressing the immediate crisis of modernity, which itself is the disease of nihilism, Nietzsche is an important thinker...
David M. Valadez
Oct 12, 2021
Self-Defense with Aikido
On the question of self-defense, the martial defending of your person by your person against the assault and/or battery from another...
David M. Valadez
Sep 25, 2021
The Problem of Techniques/The Technique of Problems
Related Video: https://fb.watch/8foaZkZROk/ Question: Sensei, can you demo this type of a response to a "jail house" type of knife...
David M. Valadez
Feb 6, 2021
Using the Unconscious
The pedagogical requirement of daily training in Budo was precisely that: a pedagogical requirement. It was not a coincidental byproduct...
David M. Valadez
Feb 3, 2021
Aikido and Women
Introduction: I was asked the following question by an online fellow-walker of The Path: “Can you share any thoughts or ideas concerning...
David M. Valadez
Jan 31, 2021
The Threatened Lifestyle
Let me re-point out that from the point of view of the premodern wisdom traditions, Nietzsche's Will to Power is understood as only one...
David M. Valadez
Jan 29, 2021
Will to Power
I hold there are two reasons why Nietzsche is important to Aikido practitioners. First, there is the implied assumption underlying all of...
David M. Valadez
Jan 28, 2021
An Ahistorical Understanding of Aikido’s Historical Change
There is a history to Aikido. It is an institutional one, a structural one, an epistemic one, a cultural one. It is a history that...
David M. Valadez
Jan 24, 2021
Sutras and Samadhi
In order to perform Takemusu Aiki, there are three aspects that must be attained: There is the spiritual aspect - skill in deconstructing...
David M. Valadez
Jan 24, 2021
Imagination or the Lack Thereof
I think if you can only imagine Aikido as its Kihon Waza you are really limiting yourself. It’s not just that you’re limiting your...
David M. Valadez
Jan 18, 2021
Ikkyo - to Initiate or not to Initiate: That is the question
I agree and acknowledge that there is a literary reference and an oral tradition connected to the Founder in initiating Ikkyo by not...
David M. Valadez
Jan 18, 2021
"Chiba Sensei 'In His Own Words' & Aikido Journal's 'Special Report'" Transcript - Episode 44
<Transciption Starts Here> "Aikido is, in a sense, very fragile. It can be forgotten, it can be destroyed, it can be diluted by ignorance...
David M. Valadez
Jan 18, 2021
"Definitions" Transcript - Episode 45
<Transcription Starts Here> • Aikido is a Budo. • A Budo is a Technology of the Self whose cultural history is East Asian in origin. • A...
David M. Valadez
Jan 18, 2021
Kuzushi - The State of Perpetually Falling
Contemporary Aikidoka often comes to understand Kuzushi as “Uke bending over or no longer standing straight.” Yet, there are plenty of...
David M. Valadez
Jan 18, 2021
Isolation
It is seldom talked about, but much of Aikido’s contemporary woes, in particular its widespread martial ineffectiveness and the identity...
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