Teachings,+I+am+the+Universe

="I am the Universe"= (By Sam)(ael + commentary) (Return to Teachings) (Return to Wise Stories)

( **Sam)(ael** )

Ok so the story goes: O'sensai, the possibly most decorated martial artist ever to live and the creater of Aikido (the martial art with ideals based on peaceful confrontation, protecting your opponent, and the definitive energy and balance principals which apply both to life and the mat) was sitting in the garden of his dojo which he had built years ago for his previous master, contemplating things now lost to history, when he had a Vision. Everything became bright with a pure light that blocked out everything else and he heard a voice which said: "I am the Universe". Shortly after, his hateful rival arrived secretly and found him in his garden. His rival had his sword with him and had come to try and kill O'sensai. His rival was on a close level with O'sensai and a great martial artist and swordsman in his own right but since he was the only one of them with a sword he held a clear advantage over the newly enlightened master. Raising his sword to attack with a mighty ki-ai O'sensai just stood there in his garden, calm and still, looking into his eyes. The man that had once been O'sensai's rival for decades left and never returned. Only rumors in history say he went to a remote island in Japan where he served as a good man and an adept constable in the small province for the rest of his life.


 * What do you think O'sensai learned? What do you think happened between O'sensai and his rival? What can you learn from this story?**

O'sensai actually discussed what he learned so I'll provide his answer after some feedback.

( Master Silmerion )

This is a great story Sam. I'll answer your questions using the first gut feeling I have about it: I think O'Sensai understood that the whole universe and himself were one, so when his rival arrived, he didn't see him as someone else but a part of himself through his oneness with the whole universe. Yesterday, I heard a lesson from a Buddhist teacher about the practice of the infinite Compassion, called Chenrezig. The practice is the visualization of Chenrezig (which represents Compassion, as a Christian, I usually visualize Jesus) and the teacher said that we had to identify with Chenrezig, imagining how he looks to the world and make this look ours. Well, I think O'Sensai used a kind of "Chenrezig look" to stare at his opponent eyes, in this look was the truth of the whole universe, the truth that we are all part of one thing. His rival felt it and could no longer consider O'Sensai like an opponent. For me this story teaches many things at different levels, one is that an enlighted person has to enlight the others, not as a duty but as a need and a joy, because with enlightment, comes unconditional love for all the beings- even our enemies. The other lesson is that as Jedi we should seek enlightment and spread what we learn with words but also with our life. Another lesson can be that the enlighted Martial Artist doesn't need to fight anymore, he is a peace maker. I'll finish with a story I'm thinking of reading Sam's. It is the true meaning of the Art of Swordmanship in the movie "Hero": The first conquest is the oneness of the warrior with his sword, so that they are one thing The second conquest is the absence of the sword in the hand but its presence in the heart The final conquest is the absence of the sword in the hand and in the heart but the mind is open and at peace with the world so that the warrior becomes a peace maker. I'm sure I'll think of many other teachings present in Sam's story, but for now it's all I can think of...

May the Force bring you peace and harmony Knight Silmerion Skywalker

( Master Kai Stormwalker )

And Silmerion's comment reminds me a scene in the movie "Friendly Persuasion" about a family of Quakers in Indiana during the Civil War.

The son (played by Tony Perkins who would later star in "Psycho) tells his father (Gary Cooper) that they need to fight and not leave it to their neighbors to protect them.

The father replies, "If thee has a sword in thy heart thee must use it. But there is no sword in my heart."

( Master Jesse Bendyn )

I dunno, it just seemed like what happened to that guy was the same thing that happened to me. He met God and everything became clear. Seems pretty... clear... to me.

I mean... this is God we're tlaking about here. He doesn't pop up for no reason so he must have had an intention for the guys.

( Sam)(ael )

Yes silmerion! Yes Master Kai. Yes Jesse.

He later recorded in a biography he agreed to help with that he realized the exact same thing Silmerion was saying. "I am the universe" therefore he is a part of me, and would I kill myself? I think that that same oneness is exactly what God wants for us. If I cared for you as if for myself I would live a much better life.

I also agree with Master Kai's remark. Maybe one day we won't have the sword in our hearts any more. I would hope that at least the plow would be central in our lives. By making you stronger, I become strong also.

I hope this isn't contraband but my old Gray master when he took me as his apprentice said this: By making you strong, I become stronger. By undoing you weakness, I lose mine. In understanding you, I ponder myself. In teaching you, I teach myself. In truth we're much the same.

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