Good morning, folks! I am Jin with Morning Mindfulness Podcast. I hope you are doing terrific! Let’s start with a breath and a smile.

About the Art of Blending

Another martial art method I’d like to discuss today is known as Aiki – blending with your opponent. Sometimes it is described as being like water. You are being the water, flowing with your opponent.
This is not becoming like your opponent. This is being flexible. Look at the water. You can pour it into the cup, and it becomes cup. But it is still water. It just changed the shape.

This method takes a lot of practice. The whole art Aikido is based on Aiki. But mastering it can bring the best results, in my opinion.

How do you do this?

1. Get alongside your opponent. It does not mean that you have to agree, just empathize.
Your opponent may be absolutely wrong, but you cannot argue with the fact that he is upset. Everyone is entitled to feel. However we often in our argument question somebody’s feelings. Like the statement, “Seriously, you cannot really mean that!” Does it sound familiar?

2. Lead the opponent into new harmony and balance by trying to figure out what is the nature of the problem. Every attacker has a right to feel. Respect this right. Work with your opponent, and I think in many-many cases you both will be happy with the result. At least, there’s no unnecessary fight.

I will be teaching more about that. And of course, if you are in Phoenix, I’d love to see you at the class. This is where we can practice the art of blending.

Thanks for tuning in! You can subscribe to my podcast on my site HPLN.org.
Now let’s breathe and smile. I will talk to you next time.

PEACE!
Jin

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