Aikido, a form of martial art practice, is actually a type of meditative movement. Highly inspired by jujutsu and kenjutsu, it is incredibly popular for a variety of reasons. Aikido is a peaceful martial art practice that includes lessons on peace and self-discipline. It teaches martial art practitioners to be powerful and use their strength in noble ways. Here are the top lessons one can learn in Aikido meditation:
1. Seek Nonviolent Solutions
As aikido is a practice of peace, it teaches practitioners to seek peaceful solutions to resolve a fight. It teaches not to attack the opponent forcefully but rather to deal with the opponent in a graceful manner. Tenkan, a technique in this martial art form, is a method for diffusing the opponent’s energy. The lesson is that being forceful and violent can result in one’s own defeat.
2. Love, Harmony & Compassion
Aikido meditation is different from Tai Chi and other forms of martial arts. For instance, it focuses not on winning but on discovering compassionate ways to resolve conflicts. Whenever an opponent uses power toward another, the latter should use his strength to settle the fight in such a way that is helpful for both parties. Indeed, harmony in this martial art is not the result of a powerful way to handle conflict but rather a result of peaceful ways to resolve it.
3. Overcome Negative Energy
It is always wise to distance ourselves from negativity to attain a clear outlook. This is an important lesson one can learn from this meditation practice. In aikido, fighters try to overcome each other’s anger to avoid attacks.
4. Be An Advocate
This meditation teaches practitioners to have a voice of their own. This voice should be peacefully employed toward human progress.
5. Honor Your Partner
Although a martial art, aikido teaches respect to opponents. The same principle should be applied in a reality whenever two people are involved. Moreover, it teaches that two people in a relationship must work together with respect and love for each other if they want the relationship to flourish. If they oppose each other, their relationship will eventually fail.
6. Mindfulness
Aikido practitioners learn to be conscious of their postures, balance, center of gravity, breathing, and their association with the opponent. This mindfulness helps them perform aikido skills more efficiently. The same goes for real life. If we live in the current moment, then we can make the most of our lives.
7. Victory Greatly Depends On Surroundings
In aikido, a practitioner’s victory in battle depends on his trainer, on others involved in the training, and so on. In real life, our success will greatly depend on our family and friends who support us through thick and thin.
8. No One Is Our Enemy
Aikido teaches that it is our mind that builds the notion of enemies. In reality, there is no enemy. One core teaching of aikido is that all living beings on this planet are equal.
