The Best Aikido

I finished my lesson with my son and we bowed thanking God. Almost every day I try to sit in meditation and then do a few minutes of practice with him. 

He went with me to the door as I left for work and he suddenly asked, “Who is the best at Aikido, Baba?” 

I asked him, “Who do you think is the best?” 

“You are!” 

I smiled and shook my head at his child's answer.

“No.”

“Sugano Sensei?” Seiichi Sugano (Seiichi Sugano - Wikipedia) was my mentor, in Aikido and life, and I speak to him almost daily on the things he taught me and I carry forward.

I shook my head. “I thought he was but he wouldn’t have said so.”

“Who then?”

“The best at Aikido is someone who lives Aikido.” 

He was silent thinking. “What does that mean?” 

“Someone who lives the ideas of Aikido. The Founder of Aikido said that Aikido is love. That we are not supposed to fight each other but assist, help and love each other.” 

“Then you are the best!” he said, jumping and hugging me. 

“No!” I said smiling. “Believe me I am working on my stuff, boy. Aikido helps me though, reminds me to be patient and try to help others where I can. The Founder of Aikido was the best because he gave us Aikido and these ideas we practice but he is no longer with us. The best I and most people knew was Sugano Sensei because he lived Aikido. And now he is gone as well though we remember him.”

“So you be the best. When we practice, take care of others. When we get off the mat, do the same. Try to help others, take care of others. Sugano Sensei said, ‘If Aikido is love, be loving.’ That's the best Aikido. You be the best.”