Expert: Joe McSorley - 12/20/2005

Question
Hello Mr Joe, how are you!

I'd like to ask you about these words: "THERE IS NO TIME AND SPACE BEFORE UESHIBA OF AIKIDO-ONLY THE UNIVERSE AS IT IS"

I think i know how to understand that there is no time because the time does not exist, we are not able to seize the time. There is no past no future and the present is passing away all the time so we cannot seize it too. This is how i understand it at least.  However i don't understand that there is no SPACE. Do you know maybe how to interpret it? Thanks!

Answer
For there to be a time and space there has to be a self that separates itself from time and space.  To be Luke, then you are not someone else and you exist in time, now, and in space, wherever you are.  Ueshiba strives to lose himself, be empty of self, so there is not time or space that exists as a concept in his mind.  He is now and here, wherever/whenever now or here is.  So being in the moment you no longer exist yet do exist paradoxically.  To be in the here and now is to be the universe as it is and not the universe as what you think it is.
 Take care, happy holidays,
             Joe