By Jan Baars, instructor Ki-Aikido Haarlem, Netherlands

 

If you want to reflect on what would be a good way of life (a ‘do’) for you, it is helpful to have some clarity about what is most important in life. This is a question that everybody has to answer for her- or him self. Most important in life are usually the persons you love and the ‘things’ you want to do in your life. In living with these persons and working on what you want to do you may experience a form of happiness or fulfillment. However, in your personal life and in your activities or projects, you will inevitably encounter tensions and conflicts. Especially in such situations it is important to remain calm and to oversee the situation so that you know what to do or not to do. In this respect there is a lot that can be learned from practicing Aikido as such calmness is indispensable to maintain your creative attention.

While being aware of the immediate problem in front of you, it is important not to get stuck in focusing on what is in the way but to project your creative attention beyond the immediate problem. This is also about keeping your own space in all situations, so that you can breathe and act freely without the feeling of being pushed down or frustrated.