Aikido and Nonresistance

by Rev. T. Michael Rock
Providence, RI

The Art of Peace is the principle of nonresistance. Because it is nonresistant, it is victorious from the beginning. Those with evil intentions or contentious thoughts are instantly vanquished. The Art of Peace is invincible because it contends with nothing."
- from The Art of Peace by Morihei Ueshiba

The Art of Peace is one of the many works by Sensei Ueshiba, the founder or Aikido. Aikido is the martial art for peace. To practice Aikido is to find the balance of harmony of accepting attack and moving with it so no one is harmed. I have been practicing Aikido of over a year now, and have found many applications for it in my own life. A few weeks ago I tested for my 6th Kyu rating and passed. It was very exciting.

The amazing thing that guided my Aikido practice was the balance and centeredness required to do most, if not all, the techniques required. Aikido teaches the acceptance and magic of conflict, while most of the world avoids it. On the mat, one, or more people provide the attack and your job is to enter into the attack, blend with it and guide it to a place where there is no harm. In physical uses, we learn to move, roll, and fall without injury. We learn to disarm, and gain control in the midst of chaos by accepting that chaos. In relationship, we learn not to take the attack head on. We move and see the target of the person providing the attack, then we go together to a place of no harm. If we don't move fast enough, the attack hits us head on in both physical and relational forms of Aikido. When that happens, it hurts.

We learn quickly in Aikido that is not about where you want the person to go, but it is where their energy takes them. All we do is guide that energy so there is no harm. The concept of nonresistance means that we see the one providing the attack as a gift. We can't practice Aikido without an attack. We are always thanking one another for the opportunity to learn and grow. Conflict is welcomed, and often encouraged. So that we all can learn and grow in new ways. The universe teaches that growth comes from conflict in space. We are learning that in relationship, lives are deepened by the appearance of, acceptance of, and the results of conflict. It builds a deep and abiding sense of trust when we enter into conflict with one another and work to a solution in which there is no harm.

This follows in the way of Jesus. Acceptance and transformation of the world around you. Don't harm the Pharisees or the Romans. Accept the anger, confusion, and fear, and move it to a place where the world can change. We know it is difficult to "love our enemies" as Jesus commanded when we receive their attack head on. It hurts. We retaliate. If, however, we were in a place to receive the attack and move together to a new place, love is easier. We cease to have enemies because we have become nonresistant. We win from the start, because our goal is change, movement, and allowing the wind of God's Spirit to guide us. It is about letting go and letting God.

My invitation is to learn and discover new ways to learn, grow, and love. Allow the magic of conflict to happen and move with it. Try not to let it knock you down. You may find yourself in a new place of thoughts and ideas you have never been before. Remember that the world is God's and we are called to love and serve in it. It is in the attempt to control the world around us that we harm ourselves and those around us. Go and practice the Art of Peace.

See you on Sunday.

T. Michael