The Integral Dojo is now offering a full time Uchi Deshi program in Tel Aviv. This is a unique opportunity to experience an Uchi Deshi life-style in an “Integral Practice Community” directed by Miles Kessler Sensei, a dual lineage holder in the Iwama tradition of aikido, and the Mahasi tradition of Buddhist meditation.
“Uchi Deshi” (“inside student”, or “live-in student”) is one who decides to make a greater commitment to aikido and related practices in a full time, total emersion environment. As a member of a practice community an uchi deshi will be engaged in the foundational practices of the Integral Dojo that include the following:
- Aikido
- Vipassana Meditation
- Dojo service
- Dharma Discussions
- Integral study
- Shadow work
- Big Mind/ Big Heart
- Spiritual Inquiry
A typical week’s schedule involves about 27 hours of classes in aikido and related practices, as well as a weekly private interview with the guiding teachers. Further more, an uchi deshi is empowered to be a “holder of the dojo as sacred space” and participates in all of the activities that contribute to creating and maintaining that space.
The Integral Dojo is located in Tel Aviv, Israel, near the vibrant city center and just a short 30 min. walk from its beautiful Mediterranean beaches. A typical day for uchi deshi involves training and work but also allows plenty of free time for resting, studying, processing and hanging out with friends.
The Integral Dojo “uchi deshi” program is for those who are looking to make a higher commitment towards the development of aikido, knowledge and self-realization. An uchi deshi commitment can be either short, or long term.
If you are interested in joining the “uchi deshi” program then please contact the Integral Dojo for further details: info@integralaikido.org
Regards,
Integral Dojo-Cho
“It is the difference between knowing the Path, and walking the Path.”
Two of the most challenging aspects for anyone claiming the Integral perspective is first discovering how to translate Integral into their life, and then actually applying that translation as a practice personally, culturally and professionally. Here at Integral Aikido we are constantly pursuing these two aspects. We place a high value in having a solid foundation in traditional aikido practice but what really excites us is using our practice as a vehicle to push the leading edge in the evolution of consciousness and culture.
As a transformational path Aikido provides a traditional cultural context, a trans-personal philosophy and effective practices that nurture development across many lines. Aikido is a well established way and point of view from which to translate and give meaning to the world. It has been around a while and you pretty much know what you’ll get.
Over the past 3 1/2/ years Integral Aikido has endeavored to provide a traditional aikido learning context with (almost) daily aikido classes, periodic aikido seminars and workshops, and regular meditation gatherings and retreats. Furthermore, we have hosted traditional events such as an International Aikido seminar with Christian Tissier Sensei, 7th dan, as well as 3 10-day Vipassana meditation retreats with Sayadaw U vivekananda.
As for pushing the leading edge of culture and consciousness, Integral Aikido’s past evolutionary activities have included regular Integral Practice workshops, Integral Aikido seminars, Integral Meditation workshops and courses, and the innovative merging of aikido and contact improvisation w/ our “Aiki-contact” jam sessions. We have also been honored to host Integral teachers such as Integral Zen Sensei and Big Mind facilitator Diane Musho Hamilton and Aikido Sensei Patrick Cassidy. And, of course this includes the project that is dear to our hearts “Aikido Without Borders”, which is an Integrally informed N.P.O.
There probably hasn’t been as much rampantly enthusiastic idealism surrounding a president since the election of John F. Kennedy than there is around Barack Obama. In the Integral community, this naturally translates into the question, “Is Obama Integral?”
