Finally, although there is always more to say about Aiki principle, I would like to attempt to briefly summarize this topic of The Eight Powers. As discussed in the July blog, the unity of Heaven and Earth creates the overview of the Eight Powers. Heaven is yang creative force, the detail of which is expressed in Thunder and Fire, and finally summarized in the symbol of the Lake.
Earth, on the other hand, governs the Yin, receptive powers, of Wind and Water, and comes to its completion in the symbol of the Mountain. Heaven and Earth represent individuality and universality as one. This recalls the words of the founder, Ware Soku Uchu, Uchi Soku Ware, “The universe and I are one and the same.”
The last two symbols, in the order that I have presented them, are Lake and Mountain. Mountain symbolizes Fudoushin, immovable mind and body. This is the level of mastery. It is the Eight Powers rooted by the life Will and Power. It should be noted here that, in the words of the monk Takuan, ”Immoveable mind is the mind that is always in motion.”
The stability of the body as well, is not a rigid state; movement inside the body creates it. The statement, “Movement in rest and rest in movement” also points towards this reality. Stability is the foundation of control upon which mastery rests. The exterior expression of this mastery is the gentle emanation of ki, a peaceful aura of wisdom reflecting whatever comes before it. This is shown in the symbol of the Lake.
The symbol of the Mountain represents the Eight Powers within a square. The square is “endless variation,” what the founder referred to as Takemusu Aiki. He further explained it as “Standing on the Floating Bridge of Heaven.” It is to stand in the center, here and now, and freely balance yin and yang in motion.
Mountain symbolizes completion and perfection just as Thunder symbolizes the beginning, or exciting, of movement. Thunder is intent flying out in all directions, It is youth and vitality. Lake, on the other hand, is the peaceful emanation of ki. It is the difference between youthful energy and the gentle power of a master.
The symbol of the Lake shows the kototama of Ti, which is the fullness of both ki and wisdom. This is the Eight Powers represented through the activity of the Circle, the infinitely expanding ki that creates all things. Ti may be seen here as an abbreviation of Michi, the path, or Way of Life, of a true human being.
