Tai Sai is an event of celebration of the founder of Aikido, O-Sensei's life and what he and others that have also passed away have left for us as a legacy. What we do with that gift is up to us and to be fair, some do nothing with it. Organised by a good friend this event was led by a high ranking teacher (I mention no names here). The teacher could see the effort that had been put in to the 'little altar' at the front of the training hall and so that the students realised the importance of connecting with the spirit of O-Sensei (you can read into that what you will) asked students to look into the eyes of the image and ask a silent question. We looked into the eyes of O-Sensei and asked our questions. It is not surprising to me that we also hear answers. They are usually right too!
            It is something you might like to try within your own environment and with your own 'images'. 

Not quite what you expected? Well this is a bridge, an old one, with little refuges that you can stand in while the horses pull the carts across, or perhaps the mail coach. It is the Tamar too, closer to its source than its mouth. A delightful clear stream that flows through fine Cornish countryside on its way to the sea. Sometimes we don't find exactly what we want in life but it can still be worthwhile. I thought so when I stood here.