John Wilkinson has dedicated his life to investigating many of the world's paths in his effort to uncover a way that works in this time and place. He uses a variety of activities with his students, including talks, group work, exercises and meditation.

O Do Ryu Aikido, Worcester Park - January, 2012

Adrian Tyndale                                   John Wilkinson

John was a pupil for many years of Mr J G Bennett, mathematician and philosopher. He specialised in learning and teaching the Gurdjieff Movements and was on the staff of the College for Continuous Education. He is also a fully trained Martial Arts teacher in Aikido and Judo and a head schoolteacher. After Mr Bennett's death he studied with other enlightened teachers under whose guidance he researched widely in India and the Middle East. 

Subsequently, he began to find his own particular Path, which he now shares with those who listen.  "What I am trying to encourage you to do is to take an interest in yourself, in your makeup, what you are and what your capabilities are. All real investigation is investigation of yourself. When I get into this independent thinking I am starting to investigate the infinite world that I am because truly there are infinite worlds within us, from the highest to the lowest."

AIKIDO A DIALOGUE OF MOVEMENT Vol. 1. For Beginners

Author:           John A W Wilkinson
Assisted by:    Jim Elkin,  Robert Forrest-Webb,  R C Maddock

Foreword by:  Professor J E Kane, St Mary's College, Twickenham

I became impressed with Aikido as a sport and as an educational method during the period of the 1964 Olympiad in Tokyo. It was at this time that I was fortunate to have the opportunity of seeing the teaching methods of Professor Tomiki at Waseda University. Even with the language difficulty it was impossible not to understand the enthusiasm, logic and planning that was basic to his teaching of Aikido. Now the sport is developing in this country thanks to the efforts of a number of inspired teachers. It is truly a sport for all men and women of all ages and makes serious mental demands on the individual as well as giving remarkable opportunities for the development of physical versatility. The perception and sensitive interpretation that is required between the two players in Aikido makes the sport in essence a dialogue in movement. As such it would seem to have a great deal to offer not only to discriminating adults but also within the programme of general education for school children.