To closely coordinate mind and body I must endeavor to bring them into close temporal alignment. As I've stated in prior posts, absolute temporal alignment of mind and body is not possible due to the time lag that the mind experiences processing sensory input. However, the two can be brought together without limit as their degree of temporal separation approaches zero. A non-Aikido example may help to clarify what I mean.
When I set out to do a painting the first thing I do is think about what it is that I am going to paint. I consider subject, composition, color pallet and preparation of materials. All of those considerations share in common the fact that they are parts of a future act and as I ponder them my mind moves further from the moment as I visualize the finished work. My mind and body become increasingly separated in temporal space the further my visualization process goes.
When I actually begin the physical process of applying paint to canvas all of those future musings go away. The brush moves seemingly of its own volition, not that it actually does; but by that time the temporal separation of my mind and body has narrowed to the point where mind and body are functioning as a single unit. The separation is too narrow for me to perceive consciously.
It can be seen from my example that mind/body coordination is not a binary state. Mind/body coordination is continuous. What varies is the degree of coordination at any given moment. Aikido practice provides me with the venue I need to explore very close to the horizon of now; to feel and strengthen my awareness of the present with my whole being. When my mind and body are closely coordinated I am in my strongest, most dependable state.
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