Aikido is a fascinating art. We learn to 'attack' people so they, in turn, can learn how to handle attacks in what I would term a 'centered' manner. Executing technique properly is important and it is extremely easy to get caught up in the technique part of the art and lose sight of all there is to explore in relationship while on the mat....or in life.
I found this perspective in one of my favorite books, It's a Lot like Dancing, by the late Terry Dobson. Please enjoy - it speaks for itself.
To say, as O'Sensei did, that "you are responsible for protecting your attacker, for not hurting him," is extremely sophisticated. It works to your advantage and it works to his advantage. It is an all-win situation. It's easy to do, if you know how to keep your center. You learn to see similarity: You each have two eyes, two arms. Whatever level you want to deal on, the spiritual, physical or psychological, there is similarity. The more you operate in the realm of similarity, the harder it is to imagine that anyone would want to conquer anyone else.
Judy Warner
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