Kagami Biraki, New Year’s for 2020. What’s that mean, really?
Many people look at New Year’s in their personal life as just another holiday during which resolutions on eating, drinking, exercising, communicating better with the spouse, and getting along with the in-laws all become key parts of the New Year; at least for this week, we’ll think about next week (maybe) if we remember.
In the dojo, the idea of Kagami Biraki also gets short shrift most of the time. We talk about making more classes, but don’t. We tell ourselves that we really do intend to begin working on that next promotion, but don’t. We listen to Sensei talk about how everyone needs more mat time in Aikido, or Jodo, or whatever we’re doing at the moment, but we seem to not hear Sensei as he gently (or bluntly) berates the deshi over not showing up for regular class; never mind any special training sessions that Sensei schedules, announces, and then is the only person on the mat that night.
It is all too easy to not take the required commitments of personal time to follow through, so we simply repeat last year for what is supposed to be a new year with new progress, advancements, and improvements in all facets of our existence. At some point we simply must sit down and seriously think about who we are, why we are here, and where we are going. Doing so requires (for least a short time) pushing out of our minds all the superfluous garbage in our daily lives and allowing our “inner-selves” to speak to us, inform us, and guide us.
Some use zen meditation for this time of “calming”. Others may use a chair under a tree. Personally, I use a lawn chair with a cigar and a glass of my favorite refreshment and listen to birds sing and the kids down the street play. Anything that takes your mind off the issues and gives you a time for “only you” to relax (and think) can work as you reconsider the direction of your training and your life goals.
Only by calming our bodies and our minds and listening to “Me” can we truly begin to understand where we are and are going and thereby rededicate ourselves to our martial training and the improvement of our mind, our body, and our spirit.
L.F. Wilkinson Kancho
The Aikibudokan
Houston, TX
January 28, 2020