Warrior of the Heart Dojo
Photos from the Kufunda village dojo 2007 - 08
What is: dojo?
Given this, let me offer,
“A dojo is a place for training in techniques of an art. In its advanced form it is a place to train in transforming those techniques into the masterful application of power. At its best it is a meeting ground for the practice and embodiment of transformational arts. By its very nature, it is always respectful of place, people, and tradition”.
What is: Warrior of the Heart?
We are using the term Warrior in what may at first seem an unusual way. Our definition of a warrior has nothing to do with fighting, though active involvement may be part of it. Nor does it involve any kind of aggression though strong actions may be required. It does refer to someone willing to learn to take skillful dynamic actions in the service of others. We admire the traditional values of warriorship, such as; sincerity, honesty, courage, personal responsibility, and loyalty. When we use the term “Heart” we are referring to compassion and empathy, but also to heart as: 1) the prime mover of vitality in an organism or an organization 2) the center or essence of a thing or idea as in, “The heart of the matter is...” 3) strength and personal commitment as in, “She has the heart to carry through.” 4) letting intuition informing our actions as in, “My heart says I should help.” As you can see, the term heart has many possible meanings, but all taken together indicates actions of strength and integrity based in caring for others.
So let me offer this,
“A Warrior of the Heart is a person who courageously steps up in skillful service to those in need, and is active in perfecting powerful, compassionate, and life enhancing actions in the world.”
What is: Warrior of the Heart Dojo?
Lets step beyond the idea that a dojo needs to be a physical place, and consider that our Warrior of the Heart Dojo first and foremost resides in our hearts and that training can happen wherever Warriors of the Heart meet to practice. Dojo practices are meant to joyfully birth more compassionate warriorship from within each of us.
We could simply say,
“The Warrior of the Heart Dojo is a practice ground for the training, embodiment, and skillful use of the powerful and transformational art of Fearless and Wise Leadership”.
- Bob Wing
WARRIORS OF THE HEART
What is a Warrior of the Heart Dojo?
Warrior of the Heart Dojo is a training/practice ground for those wishing to explore and master the use of creative power in their lives.
It incorporates practices from Aikido, the Art of Hosting Important Questions and other similar activities to “play the edges” of our personal use of creative and compassionate power. In this “play of edges” we learn to face situations in life from a grounded and clear-hearted source, gaining the whole-bodily composure to stand empowered in life.
It is a fierce and gentle way we are training in, to develop the courage and abilities to bring trust to where there has only been cynicism, mistrust and abuse. We practice “coming back to our ground”, a personal ground of sincerity, courage, wisdom and full participation in life. We are inviting each other to step up to our next phase of who we are…to say yes to wisely stepping forward into our power to help, and to say no to the destructive things we find happening in the world.
We invite you to “Warriors of the Heart” to practice together - to train to respond to whatever the calls that are increasingly coming our way....to be present to life and helpful from the heart.
We will be using Mountain Warrior Aikido and Art of Hosting methods as our organizing principles - learning and practicing:
• Living centered in decisive and compassionate action
• Wielding my sword with kindness.
• Finding true ground while in action.
• Forming and maintaining self organized community.
• Training in the company of friends and “mates”.
• Restoring “Circle” as a natural means.
• The art of gifting as an act of power.
• Enhancing life with skillful actions.
We will be practicing Aiki-sword, Circle, Warrior Movement and Active Contemplation – co creating our time together.
Spoken to the question as the ending of the Ohio State Art of hosting training May 2008.....
What is warrior of the heart ?
* Compassionate courage and vulnerable trust
* Courage to show up and follow through
* Be revealing and at ease
”* The Call” requires a warrior to answer
* Extending love
* It takes practice
* Holding up the mirror – shining into dark places
* We all have power......let us show it
* Choose your vehicle wisely
* Intention always has a sharp edge
* Acceptance always has a sharp edge
* Sword is an extention of the handshake
* Connection is in the eyes
What is the art of hosting and harvesting ?
* ”Negatives” like chaos and aggression are positive because they bring energy and open possibility for change
* We harvested the spirit of an OSU community in a safe place – and planted the seeds for further growth
* The art of hosting training recruits warriors of the heart. The practices are the swords we can use to impact the world.....
* The art of hosting training provides tools that evoke courage to moving ”it” forward
* The immedeate needs attention – the important needs intention
When you step up, claim the mat as your own.
Everybody you encounter and everything that happens
is there by your invitation
and your invitation alone,
even the unexpected ones.
Your job is to respond with grace and compassion.
You can't hide and you can't fake it;
we will all see.
Let the skills you have learned and
the wisdom of this art
flow through you
and all will be well.
—an Aikido master
Warrior of the heart - 25 - 28 September 2009 at the Kings Mill in Belgium
with Bob Wing, Toke Moeller and friends
Please contact Ria Baeck or Lieven Callewaert for more information
An invitation and regristation form will be here soon.
