2007 Summer Gasshuku: Govinda Valley

The train trip was relaxing, giving me the opportunity to retreat temporarily into my own private world of sci-fi make believe and fantasy. A short 1 hour ride outside of Sydney and we had arrived, a train station in what appeared to be the middle of the national park. A little scary, but also exhilerating.
A short walk later the three of us arrived at Govinda Retreat, beautiful, restful, peaceful, all these words and more. Already I felt overwhelmed by the prospect of so many people. I would find a private space at the first opportunity.
The laying of the mats ensued, claiming of rooms, after which a dozen or more students decided to travel into town for lunch. Initially this appealled to me, but my better judgement won over and protested at the fact that I needed some privacy already. Ok, but next time I must be social.
The students drove out of the retreat, and I walked quietly down to the stream, found a beautiful spot behind an old shed, amongst wildflowers, a view up through the valley, and the tinkling sound of the creek only several metres distant.
Although overcast and slightly wet, I felt at peace and content here.

I withdrew my Jo, and played with the energy I have learned to create through it's extension.

Many hours of training, fatigue, and sore swet-rashed skin later, I finally arrived at Sunday morning. Finally an outdoor session. We connect and extend, expanding, contracting, sending and recieving Ki through our fingertips. Our teacher stops us, we gather in a circle, and he inspires us with is words.
It seems a little corny in retrospect, yet he quotes Yoda and still I find tingles running up my spine. He's right, of course - the very philosophy which underlies this art we practice can be tied back to everything that was ever said by one little green alien with hairs growing out of his nose.

“Size matters not. Look at me. Judge me by my size, do you? And well you should not. For my ally is the Force, and a powerful ally it is. Life creates it, makes it grow. Its energy surrounds us and binds us. Luminous beings are we, not this crude matter. You must feel the Force around you; here, between you, me, the tree, the rock, everywhere, yes. Even between the land and the ship.”

And if Yoda could see the Aikidoka on that day, basking in the light of the sun, sending and recieving Ki with nature, I am sure he would be proud. Or... proud, he would be!