By Tim Mahoney
For beginners, the journey of learning a new skill, like Aikido, is often filled with uncertainty. With little knowledge of what to expect, they are quick to acknowledge their inexperience. However, as long as they’re committed and ready to put in the effort, they quickly absorb the lessons from their instructors. The techniques might be challenging at first, but their determination drives them to keep trying. Trusting their instructors’ expertise and the structure of the curriculum, they remain focused on growth. This openness to learning and adaptability fosters both progress and improvement, especially as they study new techniques, perspectives, and physical movements.
Adopting such a mindset of openness is something that all experienced martial artists should strive to embrace again, as if they were starting over as beginners. True openness can only be achieved when an individual humbles themselves, freeing their mind from pride, selfishness, and overconfidence. Without genuine humility, an experienced martial artist’s ability to learn and progress can be greatly hindered.
There are two key reasons in which adopting humility can enhance an experienced martial artist’s training: first, it encourages the learning process; and second, it fosters mutual cooperation when working with others.
- Humility to Encourage the Learning Process
“True humility is not thinking less of yourself, it is thinking of yourself less.” – C.S. Lewis
Humility is the courage to be truly honest with ourselves about our capabilities. It is the ability to remain teachable, regardless of how much we think we already know. For a humble and teachable person, there is always something—no matter how small—that can be learned and integrated. An experienced martial artist would do well to heed the wise words of Socrates: “The only true wisdom is knowing that you know nothing.” By embracing this mindset, you open yourself to the realization that there is always more to learn. While you may achieve goals and earn ranks, there is no finish line in your training. The journey of learning is endless.
Sometimes, setbacks in Aikido training can challenge our egos. A technique may not be working, you might receive frequent corrections, or you could fail a test. Don’t be discouraged—setbacks are powerful motivators that push you to step up, train harder, and improve. Failure is a valuable learning opportunity that should be embraced. Humility helps you avoid blaming others and encourages you to take a deep inventory of yourself—asking the right questions and working on your weaknesses.
“True victory is victory over oneself.” – Morihei Ueshiba
Our egos often hinder our ability to learn. Perhaps Ueshiba’s quote above refers to the victory over our own egos in this sense. Humility requires us to honestly assess ourselves and our abilities as martial artists. When applied sincerely, this self-reflection can be quite an eye-opener. Martial artists should strive to keep their egos in check and resist the temptation to believe that, because they have reached a certain skill level, they fully understand every lesson being presented. Even if you’ve seen a technique demonstrated hundreds of times, this mindset can prevent you from truly listening to the instructor, who might be offering a small yet valuable piece of information you haven’t considered. Beware of the ego, as it will only impede your growth and development.
- Humility to Work with Others
“Be grateful even for hardship, setbacks, and bad people. Dealing with such obstacles is an essential part of training in the Art of Peace.” – Morihei Ueshiba
All martial arts training involves working with others, and this is especially true in Aikido. Harmony between training partners is central to Aikido’s philosophy. We alternate roles between defender and attacker to learn the techniques together. Since Aikido cannot be practiced without a partner, it is essential to cultivate a cooperative relationship during training. On the mat, it is difficult to establish harmony if one partner is focused solely on themselves and their techniques, rather than on their partner. Humble yourself and accept where your partner is in their practice.
During class, you will inevitably find yourself in close contact with other practitioners. It can be challenging to partner with someone with whom you typically struggle to perform techniques—perhaps because they are bigger, stiffer, less skilled, or uncooperative. There are many reasons why someone might avoid partnering with another, but the reality is that you will face such situations. When confronted with these challenges, it is best to empathize with your partner. They are learning too and may not even realize they are making mistakes. Simply follow the technique as instructed and focus on what you need to learn. Whether or not your partner cooperates, you can still gain something from the experience.
Humility urges us to understand this and not shy away from training with certain students just because something about their Aikido doesn’t resonate with you. Avoiding them is a form of arrogance and selfishness, and it does not go unnoticed by fellow practitioners. Instead, accept potential difficulties as valuable learning opportunities. After all, overcoming challenges on the mat helps prepare you for facing hardships in the real world. Let go of your ego and learn to work with whomever comes your way. Ultimately, Aikido is about acceptance and connection, not avoidance and disconnection.
Conclusion
In the practice of Aikido, humility plays a crucial role in both personal growth and the development of harmonious relationships with others. By adopting a mindset of openness and humility, beginners can more readily absorb new lessons, while experienced practitioners can overcome the barriers of ego that often hinder progress. Moreover, humility fosters cooperation, enabling students to work together and learn from each other, even when faced with challenging training partners. Ultimately, Aikido is not just a martial art; it is a path of self-improvement and connection, where the true victory lies in overcoming the ego and embracing the journey of continuous learning.
