Rick Atkinson

Rank:
1st Degree Black Belt in USA
Red Red in White Dragons of Bushido

Member of WDOB since:
October 1999

Martial Arts History:
The principal reason I study the martial arts is for spiritual development. I perceive the movements comprising forms to be moving meditations that focus awareness in the moment. Being in the moment is freedom from the bondage of the past and freedom from anxiety about the future. According to the teachings of Grandmaster Morihei Ueshiba, the focus of Aikido is the way of harmony between the individual mind and universal consciousness. From my perspective, this should be the goal for the practice and study of martial arts. Then the focus for doing martial arts is on the process, not the end product.

Awards & Achievements:
I earned the Ph.D. degree in Psychology in 1985 from the University of Nevada, Reno. I have been a Professor of Psychology at various universities since the awarding of that degree. During that time, I have been a finalist for the Crystal Crest Young Alumni of the Year award, have been nominated every year for the Crystal Crest Master Teacher of the Year award, and have been awarded the Departmental Honours Professor of the Year. I have received a number of other awards and honors over the years, and have repeatedly been on local and national television and radio programs to discuss my research on paranormal phenomena.

About Me:
I n addition to my martial arts training and work as a Professor, I was a scuba diving instructor for four years, have authored over 20 articles in refereed journals, did modeling portfolios as a photographer for a number of years, am in the process of writing a book on my hypnotic treatment of a patient suffering from multiple personality disorder, and am an active paranormal investigator. My website is www.paranormalborderlands.com, which is principally focused on investigations of hauntings, apparitions, and poltergeists. I am married and have six children ranging in age from 8 to 25. For leisure activities, we like to watch movies, particularly sci-fi movies. Our favorite travel destination is Sedona, Arizona with its beautiful red rock country and spiritual atmosphere.