Aikido Principles for Everyday
Center
Physically balanced and grounded. Having a feeling of standing on solid ground yet agile and responsive. Feeling settled yet energized but not tense. Physically and emotionally, balanced.
In Everyday Life
Having a feeling of calm confidence and a clear state of mind. Feeling like you have your "bearings" or "wits about you". Your thoughts, decisions and actions come from a sense of security and stability.
Awareness or "Zanshin"
Having a feeling of relaxed alertness and accessing your "sixth sense" in order to process environmental cues. Being present to the moment and aware of your surroundings.
In Everyday Life
Being alert and attentive to all of the environmental cues available to you in any moment of an interpersonal interaction. Focusing your attention on the here and now or in the moment and using your "sixth sense" to help navigate the social and political landscape inherent in human systems.
Blending
Welcoming the energy of the attack and allowing your energy to blend with it. Unifying your energy with the energy of the attacker in order to create a win/win dynamic.
In Everyday Life
Paying attention to the energy of people around you (aggressive, passive, attentive, distracted, etc.) and choosing an approach that compliments that energy. Listening curiously and attentively to someone being aggressive or carefully confronting passive behavior to draw out unspoken concerns, expectations, or needs.
"a true warrior is invincible because he or she contests nothing."
Connection
Maintaining physical contact with the attacker in order to sustain access to the attacker's energy. This access enables you to receive continuous feedback about the attackers intent, tension, willingness to follow in order for you to lead the situation to a peaceful conclusion.
In Everyday Life
Maintaining social contact and being purposeful about follow-up, feedback, and appreciation with the people you are in relationship with. Keeping your "hand on the pulse" of the people around you.
Sincere Intent
Having a genuine commitment to harmony and peace and a deeply held belief that conflict should be resolved in a peaceful and collaborative way. Allowing your actions to be guided by a feeling of compassion and goodwill even if those actions are assertive or directive in nature.
In Everyday Life
Approaching relationships with sincere commitment to true collaboration and win/win outcomes. Giving people the benefit of the doubt and trusting that they are doing the best that they can in order to get what they want. Valuing other points of view and being willing to change your position.
Leadership
Accepting responsibility to lead a situation to a peaceful resolution. You are focused on not only protecting yourself in a conflict situation, but also on caring for the well being of the attacker. Being assertive when necessary and responsive or receptive when appropriate in order to guide the conflict.
In Everyday Life
Accepting responsibility for the success and well being of all of the relationships in your life. Influencing your self and others in order to achieve higher levels of performance, success and satisfaction.
"Aikido is less about insistence, more about polite suggestions from an unwavering, strong, yet benevolent character."
Greg O'Connor