"When assault turns into dance, the entirety is visible as a present of electricity."
That sounds first-rate, does not it?
Couldn’t we all use a bit greater power occasionally? I realize I ought to. Right now, for instance, as I take a seat with a blanket over my shoulders, sipping lemon tea and hoping that the following coughing spasm is not as ferocious because the final two, I may want to use a present of energy. The tickle that started in my nostril and chest a few days ago has blossomed into a complete-blown, frame-wracking bloodless, entire with chills and fever.
The martial artwork Aikido (The Way of Harmony) teaches us to peer the whole lot that comes our way as electricity to be danced with. By centering and extending our ki (existence power) we connect and blend with the electricity of attack, making it a part of us. We redirect it from center, retaining ourselves and our attacker secure from damage.
How this stylish metaphor applies to conditions in our non-public and expert lives is a persevering with supply of look at and fascination for me. One of the ways I paintings at integrating Aiki standards into my lifestyles is by means of sharing the philosophy with others. My workshops use physical exercises which assist our bodies consider a way to do things like middle, make bigger, renowned and mix. We start to dance, waft and move with the power of war in place of blocking off it.
So I sit, questioning how I can dance with this attack. Even centering doesn’t forestall the incessant coughing. I have no ki to increase (it seems to have retreated to the innermost recesses of my gadget). The best thing I can suppose to do is to renowned and embrace.
But that, at least, is a beginning. In years past, I would no longer renowned being ill. When I was unwell, I’d frequently visit paintings besides. I plowed through what wished doing with half a spirit and wore myself out. I likely infected 1/2 a dozen others within the system. I was now and again ill-tempered, depressed and depressing to be round. If I can’t acknowledge what’s going on, whether it’s a cold or a problem at domestic, I absolutely cannot include it. By this I suggest make it a part of me, connect with it so that I can begin to search for answers.
Most of our conflicts, internal or external, would clear up themselves if we’d handiest take this first step – well known them! But because we see them as negative, we straight away withstand by fighting or fleeing. If I can see what comes my way as power, with no tremendous or negative price aside from what I supply it, I may be extra curious about it. As unwanted as it may be, there’s certainly extra electricity in dancing with it than in resisting it.
As for my bloodless, I’m still seeking to examine if there is a present here somewhere. Let’s see – I’ve already study a e-book I’ve been putting apart for months, started out every other, and gotten some an awful lot needed relaxation (in among coughs!). I won’t usually understand what the power offers, however when I can ask the query "Where’s the gift?" I’ve taken a step in a brand new course.