Some reflections on attendance at the recent 50th anniversary seminar at the Midwest Aikido Center in Chicago; associated discussion of differences in perspective among instructors or between instructors and students, and of how this highlights the role of shoshin in the spiritual cultivation aspect of a budo practice. From the mat of Sangamon Aikikai, Springfield, Illinois, 2025 September 22.

Exploration of the role of altered states of consciousness and specifically the ecstatic state in an aikido practice. Inspired by a reflection by David M. Valadez in the Senshin Center Patreon feed and other outlets. From the mat of Sangamon Aikikai, Springfield, Illinois, 2025 September 19.

Discussion of service as crucial to social disciplinary aspect of a budo practice, from the mat of Sangamon Aikikai, Springfield, Illinois, 2025 September 11.

Discussion of sleep discipline as fundamental to the physiological disciplinary aspect of a budo practice, from the mat of Sangamon Aikikai, Springfield, Illinois, 2025 September 9.