Golden, Bryan

Journal of Asian Martial Arts
Volume 14, Issue 1, pp. 74-81 (2005)

Recommended

Conflict is a normal part of life. Whether due to family situations, work challenges or even political views, almost any personal contact has the potential to create unusual, and unexpected, conflict that one must resolve. In the practice hall, almost every style of martial art focuses primarily on the physical attack, and through careful training, we learn to combat the physical attack through self-defense or counter-attack. Society is different. In society, physical attacks are rare; rather itﾒs the non-physical attacks that are a constant part of life. As Bryan Golden states in his article, the mental responses to dealing with conflict, whether physical or non-physical, are the same, and in all these instances, the principles of aikido can be applied, no matter the style of martial arts one practices.

In aikido, the basic premise is to avoid and redirect an attackerﾒs energy and intention with efficient motion from the defender. It involves two partners: an attacker (uke) and a defender (nage). Since the attackerﾒs movements cannot easily be predicted, the defender learns not to pre-plan a response, and in this way, the defender manages to survive such attacks in a constantly changing, unpredictable environment. Most importantly, the defender begins to learn that once an attack is initiated, the defender has many more options than the attacker. This results in the defender gaining confidence through the exchange.

This idea can easily be applied in every day society. When faced with a challenge, or when invaded by an opponent, the normal reaction is to feel off-balance and defensive; however, in aikido, the most productive strategy is not to engage the opponent but to move off the line of attack and redirect the attackerﾒs energy. The more you, as a defender, moves and avoids the attacks, the more level-headed and clear-minded you can be while the attacker becomes more frustrated. Using this to your advantage, you can then take the opportunity to immobilize the attacker. The author makes the analogy to a sailor at sea. A sailor cannot control the wind or the weather, yet he sails in the direction he wants to sail, simply by steering the boat in response to the actions of the weather. When the wind changes direction, the sailor, in turn, alters his course as needed.

While you donﾒt have control over the actions of an opponent, aikido teaches that you do have control over you own, and although itﾒs easy to blame others for circumstances you find yourself in, the many options become clear when you accept responsibility for your situation. Responding with anger for anger only incites more anger. Conflict, the author suggests, can be resolved by doing the unexpected.

I found this article helpful in the sense that it applies well beyond the practice room of taekwondo or any other martial art and into everyday life. The lessons presented here by the author can assist with conflict resolution and personal development, finding its uses in boardrooms, living rooms, family rooms. As the author states, personal growth and development is a journey, not a destination, and once these concepts are mastered in a clear-minded way, many other options are presented to you.

Annotated by: Todd Whaley (December 2005)

Martial Arts: Aikido |

Topics: instruction | philosophy | psychology |