Adversity, a Secret Ally

“Adversity is inevitable.”

I have a friend who seems to time temptation perfectly to take me away from responsibility and lead me astray, so to speak.

At first I resented this, especially when I capitulated to play when I should have been working, but over time I began to appreciate the opportunity to do the right thing despite the honey-on-the knife that was being presented.

After all, he does not know he’s doing it. Simply, his days off rarely coincide with mine.

The opportunity to overcome this devilish principle of adversity is what a true dojo offers. Anyone can do the right thing when it’s easy to do so. It’s when we are conflicted that making the right decision becomes an art and a science.

Adversity, whether respected, feared, hated or misunderstood is inevitable. It is part of the functional fabric of the universe itself. Whilst it forms the basis of galactic creation it also prompts blindly superstitious tribal warfare. However it also forms the basis of functional jurisprudence and democratic process, except that now it is embraced as inevitable and hopefully consciously addressed. The opposing party providing an alternate view to that of the “ruling” one. If I understand it correctly this is how the senate evolved from ancient times.

Through the process of reconciliation, not compromising, but co creation, the evolution of greater good can ensue.

Adversity and opposites forms a universal principle. Without an interplay of opposites  there is only void, a blank, and no expression can occur, Nothing happens in a vacuum unless that which happens is opposite to vacuum.

Sub atomic particle waves organize in opposite polarities and then their interaction forms atoms and the basis for all of creation. Yin and yang was not “invented” by some Taoists as a “concept”, rather, merely noticed as universal principle. They were not the first and will not be the last to do so.

In-between intimacy lovers often waste energy in arguments over trivia.  Herein the opportunity to reconcile opposites instead.

This is a simplified view but hold s the core principle behind all complexity. The universe, existence is simple in its complexity and in the dojo, Aikido provides the opportunity to re enact the interplay of energies which are the universe.

This is why it is a Way, Do Mich towards progressive enlightenments.

True Training is not a contest, but an opportunity to learn from continuous self-correction, mutually providing progressively modulated attrition as a service to your training partner’s improvement. The process of self-correction, often uncomfortable, captures the moment and opens the eye of the soul. Then we can embrace adversity in all things and learn to harmonize whatever life and the morally blind in it can throw at us.

Life itself is the ultimate dojo. In the end as we progressively emerge from the kindergarten, it needs be that we then learn to responsibly LIVE.

Harmonizing in expression, love, (ai ki do, ki no nagare no michi) is a path as broad as endless as the universe itself. The power of dynamic and responsible letting go, cannot be underestimated. It forces us to find our core integrity and clarifies the mind to see clearly.

This power is is with you right now. See how you can harmonize the next thing that happens in your life from a place of harmonious intention yet centered in your integrity and then let go and see what happens. Continue doing so through life and you will have embraced the great Way of Aiki in action. Before we as a species of sentient individuals can be permitted to emerge in to the great universal cosmos responsibly we will need to learn that this world is THE DOJO and that LIFE IS TRAINING at EVERY MOMENT.

And this with Ai Ki, Until we can learn that only win-win-win or nothing, can prevail. When we continue the win-lose paradigm vainly imagining ourselves to then be”winners” by making others ” lose,” the immutable laws of the universe will then painfully show us otherwise through the inevitable consequences of our actions, as it has from time immemorial.

Between adversity and stagnation dwells the potential for harmony when we choose to maintain, protect and cultivate creative possibilities in concert with the great universal symphony that lives and dwells in and all around us all the time. Breath and movement are the keys, then harmonizing interaction in harmonized though, harmonized action and harmonized speech and the refinement of skill through the right understanding that them emerges.

When the lesson finally sinks in, takes root, grows and begins to bear fruit in life itself and this for all concerned, we will attain the keys to a threshold to a portal that leads to infinite possibility.

The old Hermetic adage, “Demon est Deus inversus,” ( the “devil” is the inverse of “god”) often not understood, is the principle of existence itself. Without opposites nothing can be. The divine principle, when reversed makes adversity and there is not a living human who is not afflicted and conflicted by this struggle, inner and outer, this resistance that creates suffering often entirely avoidable.

To compound matters, lack of insight gives rise to fear and a dangerous and malevolent narcissistic “righteousness” which feels justified in behaving badly through aggression, and causing great harm in the name of good.

Until we learn this fundamental law of the universe, we will continue to make war for ourselves and invite greater war for our future generations who will then disappear in ignominy wondering and without most knowing who or understanding what brought it about.

The value of history that’s not been revised is that it teaches us what not to do. Only the courageous souls will take steps to try something different in the face of adversity, instead of counter resisting, adding the inverse of harmony – discord of adversity to adversity to breed more adversity and ultimate futility, rather to relax, sidestep, lead to logical conclusion and to relax and dance with the energy offered dispassionately.

This is the gift and the practical that Aikido can reveal. Understanding different perspectives with such clarity that no conflict can arise. For now this is a new horizon of possibility.

If understood and applied in all things and this in time it will save us as a species.

The struggle is not with existence which already knows how to ultimately harmonize everything through attrition as it occurs. Nor is it really with others, or nature or anything else, but ourselves to hold space and claim our own integrity honouring boundaries and perimeters through clear filters of mind.

From that place Aiki, the generating of harmony through reconciling opposing energies emerges naturally to cause thriving, healing, life and constructive creativity. With such practical and applied understanding, a better world can then be brought about through a natural evolution.

Adversity is inevitable. It is innate in the life giving principles of the universe. Change, the only constant begets discomfort if submitted to and also if resisted. Utopias cannot exist. If they did they would begin to stagnate and rot shortly after arrival.

Is there another way? Is there a better way to deal with adversity? Perhaps reaching deep within and practicing navigating it can yield teachings from the inner tuition the universe provides via experience. Navigating with skill rather than struggling in futility?

The Principle of Ai Ki Do resides not in a handful of kindergarten combat techniques, albeit when properly understood they comprise some of the most effective. Rather it resides in the deep inner attitude that the regular practice of these techniques to reconcile progressively modulated sincere adversarialism in practice, can evoke.

This core attitude becomes a supreme, soft power that can navigate all existence without end to possibilities and benefit to all life.

“Many years ago, after a class where multiple attacker jiyuwaza/randori had featured prominently, I walked into a nearby temple and was confronted with a huge mural depicting a representation of deity dancing on the heads of a thousand headed serpent. I instantly “got it”, causing my hair to stand on end and my body to tingle with whatever it is that tingles when you have these experiences. But just to reassure myself I was not fabricating my own rendition I asked a monk who confirmed: “Ah yes, it’s particularly difficult to fight a snake. More so when it has endless heads. The serpent represents the ocean of Samsara, the natural world of change. Its attacks, the inevitable suffering and challenges of finite life. If you fight it, you will surely get bitten and be defeated by its poison. Each   time a fanged head rises to strike, it can be either a defeat or a steppingstone. You make that choice! The Deity exemplifies this universal principle. Each attack is seen with non-attachment as an opportunity, a gift of energy enabling you to dance your way through existence toward realizing the Absolute, the Nirvana that’s within the Cosmic Dance reflected in ourselves in daily life. True and lasting peace can be found nowhere else!”

Adversity is not an enemy to be fought and resisted. Rather energy to be tapped and  understood through relationship interaction. With maturing of the spirit you can make adversity your ally, hence the words of O’Sensei Ueshiba, “There can exist no enemies of love!”

But first we must learn the true dance of aiki. Hence regular Aikido dojo practice!