COVID-19: Patiently Impatient
It’s been nearly three weeks of dealing with the impacts of the COVID-19 coronavirus in our community and at the Dayton Bujinkan Dojo. It’s also the start of a new thirty-day social distancing government mandate and lockdown cycle. That means another month of no classes. This virus has impacted many lives - some in a minor way, some directly and acutely - and we hope each person resolves to survive these arduous times. Stay healthy and look after family.
It’s tough not training in the dojo with friends. Practice with a partner is important to improve. But that’s not feasible today or the foreseeable future. At times, our Soke and the Bujinkan Daishihan have reminded us of the importance of solo training. Suddenly nature has forced it on us. So, we practice shoshin, gogyo, sanshin, and static kamae drills by ourselves. (And if our family lets us, rolls in the living room!) Three times a week for thirty minutes keeps the legs and back strong and supple.
Looking for more inspiration, we find fun artwork from Soke about encouraging Patience. The artwork references the Bujinkan’s godan test and enduring the severe stick (辛棒). Three monkeys have bumps on their head from failing the test. No patience. The final monkey rolls away. “Sensing changes in nature” as Soke says. Steve Olsen elaborates on the artwork, explaining the need for “enlightened movement” to pass the test.
Perhaps sensing the danger of COVID-19 (and arguably society’s response to it), we should avoid it all and solo train to explore patience? Or maybe...don’t be patiently impatient. You might get hit in the head like a monkey.
We’ll get through this COVID-19 blindside attack. But patience is needed. Before you know it, there will be century drills, kihon practice, and ebi zori drills with a partner on the mats in the dojo. And then....Nagato Sensei in Dayton on September 11-13…
Gambatte Kudasai!
(Pictures and quotes from Masaaki Hatsumi: Dojo Giga | Heaven Art Book by Steve Olsen. Find more inspiration at www.dojoartbooks.com)
