video 1: http://nl.youtube.com/watch?v=EjB3xIJMoqg This is a film of training and a dialogue from the "Aikido: Practice and Inquiry" seminar of Patrick cassidy
and Miles Kessler in Cully, Switzerland, May, 2007.
video 2: http://nl.youtube.com/watch?v=2lBQNj6dz90 This is part 2 of a 3 part film of training and a dialogue from the "Aikido: Practice and Inquiry" seminar of
Patrick Cassidy and Miles Kessler in Cully, Switzerland, May, 2007.
video 3: http://nl.youtube.com/watch?v=OCOL5uJcOfc&feature=related This is the 3rd and final part of a film of training and a dialogue from the "Aikido: Practice and Inquiry" seminar
of Patrick Cassidy and Miles Kessler in Cully, Switzerland, May, 2007. The film concludes the conversation from the previous
two parts and finishes with an "aiki-jam" video. Parts of the black belt tests of 2006 of Durward Burrell (3dan), Carolina
van Haperen (3dan) and Oliver Thorne (1dan) are included in the compilation.
This was the third seminar with Patrick and Miles together in Cully. They choose to continue exploring
in the spirit of inquiry the essential questions of the practice of Aikido.
During this retreat
we linked the practice of aikido and insight (vipassana)
meditation, in order to deepen the spirit of misogi (purification) in both our practice and our daily lives. We worked in a small group of about 16 people.
Physical
practice, moments of silent self observation, but also possibilities for verbal exploration were exchange with other participants, the main ingredients of the course.
The training program was conducted by Maureen Rijks
(3rd dan) and Margreet Groothuis (1st dan), in close cooperation with their most inspiring and very experienced vipassana meditation teacher: Jotika Hermsen. Some aikido classes were conducted by guest teacher, Carolina van Haperen (3rd dan) - for taijutsu and movement towards free form
and freedom, and a weapon class conducted by Piet Lagerwaard (5th dan).
Accommodations
were the International Theosophical Center in Naarden, a beautiful estate in the forest. The estate has had a spiritual function for more than eighty years.
O'Sensei & Buddha
Standing meditation, in the morning
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After the Seminar in Cully 2006 Durward and Carolina each did a Performance:
(We thank the filmer for taping these personal performances.)
"After a full seminar weekend and dan test we had a moment of performing somthing as a thank you for all the
support and wonderful energy of the participants. Durward and Vance, who are in the other performance clip, did a piece on
live music by Brian. It is beautiful to see how roles are naturally changing into eachother and in which quality of movement
they express.
The other performance, in which I'm in with my friends Nadia, Katerina, Coralie and Karim, was a mixture of
a statement with Aikido. This is Aikido in a spontaneous form, no emphasis on technique. We did it with a big part on improvisation.
What I wanted to address was that we can face our fears in life, that we are able to overcome the victim role, that we have
the ability and right to speak up and help eachother in a positive way. But this is not easy done and will take a process,
which you see in the movements. The play of the opposites, give and take, active and passive, to eventually find the harmony
and balance where the anger and fear is ceased. To be more explicit about what you see: the first person's mouth is shut by
tape. I see her inability to speak out and want to connect with who she is. Then I take of the tape to show her the freedom
of speech. Her reaction is one of unbelieve and wants to fight me, but in our interaction we eventually find the balance and
stillness. I guide her to an altar with the Buddha of Compassion statue and asked her to light the candles, spreading the
light of peace. Then another scene takes place. A young man is oppressed bu two women. I want to stop this and bring resolution,
but the attackers are attacking me now instead of the young man. This time I have to deal with aggression of collective ignorance.
After interaction with them balance is found and I guide the former attackers as well as the young man to the Buddha of Compassion.
We make a bow to it as a heartfelt thank you for Compassion and Life. I choose the music for its lyrics. It is a song originally
of Tom Petty, but performed by Melissa Etheridge. Her powerful expression is a big inspiration to me. Aikido has for me
the potential of healing in many ways. It was the message that was more important to me than focussing on perfect techniques.
It where the principles of the Art that I used in this piece."
- Carolina van Haperen -
