| One of the most compassionate ways to solve | | | | Aikido and conflict resolution are experienced |
| conflict is through the art of Aikido. If you can | | | | every single time we step onto the mat in the |
| just learn how to see life from your aggressors | | | | training dojo. We are constantly told to relax, as |
| point of view, with empathy, you can dissolve the | | | | tension and resistance are weaker and less |
| problem. | | | | effective. |
| Conflict is natural, and is a major part of the laws | | | | When we learn to relax and flow from our centre |
| of nature and the universe, but most people react | | | | of gravity, our techniques are far more effective. |
| to it with resistance. Many of us have learned this | | | | The art involves working with the energy of our |
| reaction through our culture, education, parents, | | | | training partner, who plays the attacker, which |
| grandparents, school, and the society we live in. | | | | allows us to practice the way of harmony. |
| Problems cannot be solved with anger and | | | | Training ourselves and our attacker, in this way, |
| aggression, but lots of people use these methods | | | | we are able to control them without causing |
| habitually. | | | | harm. |
| A study of Aikido, in relation to conflict resolution, | | | | Conflict resolution is often taught in a lecture |
| will teach us many useful and practical principles. | | | | format, with words and descriptions, but by using |
| Aiki principles can certainly help people to take a | | | | the example of Aikido, in a visual way, it can be |
| close look at their ways of dealing with anxiety, | | | | understood more fully. When you actually take |
| tension, and stress. | | | | part in an Aikido class, it can be experienced by |
| We are often trained by our past experiences to | | | | your body and mind, which offers you a very |
| see our lives in a competitive and negative way. | | | | powerful lesson. |
| By observing human beings on the planet today, | | | | During Aikido training, we are relaxed and open to |
| we see selfish behaviour with a 'look out for | | | | energy. In this way we are open and willing to be |
| number one' attitude. There seems to be a belief | | | | flexible and flow with it. Holding the mind on the |
| that there is not enough to go around for | | | | 'one point' in our centre, allows us to focus, and |
| everyone, so people try to take what they want | | | | be more alert, aware and alive. In this state we |
| in life regardless of the effects on other people. | | | | learn fast, efficiently and effectively. |
| But, of course you are not included in this | | | | Aikido teaches us that we can choose to take |
| category... are you? I suspect not, as you are | | | | and use this skill in our everyday lives. When |
| reading this and have a desire to find useful ways | | | | conflict arises in us, we just breathe deeply, put |
| of dealing with conflict. This puts you in the | | | | the mind on the one point, relax, and release the |
| category of compassionate, with empathy, and | | | | tension. |
| caring about yourself and other people. | | | | If you wish to influence someone, you have to |
| In reality there is more than enough to go around, | | | | convince them that you are on their side and |
| and world suffering is unnecessary. For real | | | | have concerns in common. In this way they will |
| change to take place three things have to be | | | | relax more in your presence and the conversation |
| realised, that can all be found in Aikido principles... | | | | will go more smoothly. |
| 1 - We cannot change what we do not | | | | One of the best ways to achieve this is to be a |
| acknowledge. We must first know the problem to | | | | good listener. Show interest in what people have |
| change it. | | | | to say to you. Be agreeable with them and put |
| 2 - We must then accept the problem as it is, | | | | your points across in the natural openings. |
| and allow it to be. Then be flexible and flow with | | | | See life from your another persons point of view |
| its energy. | | | | with empathy and, in many cases, you can quickly |
| 3 - We can then ask ourselves the following... | | | | dissolve the problem. It is difficult to be patient |
| Could I welcome it? Could I let it go? | | | | and trust the process to produce results, but you |
| These simple questions can bring immediate | | | | can do it... with practise. |
| answers, and encourage us to let go of the | | | | Aikido and conflict resolution are a perfect match |
| negative feelings and emotions surrounding a | | | | and compliment each other. Morihei Ueshiba, the |
| problem. Once we have cleared the emotional | | | | founder of Aikido was an exceptional human being |
| content, then the problem either disappears or | | | | and a true master of Aikido and the Martial Arts. |
| becomes much less important to us. | | | | |