Blending with the World

When confronted by any attack or problematic incoming energy, the aikidoist doesn't strike, push back, pull or dodge, but rather enters and blends.

Yeah, that sounds kind of different, the kind of thing you'd expect to hear from a martial artist philospher, I guess.  The author, George Leonard, talks about moving towards your attacker, just slightly off the line of attack, and turning, seeing the attack from his point of view.  Now, a whole new world of possible options opens up for you.

It kind of reminds me of the scene in the Karate Kid, during his first official match.  The Kid keeps getting chased out of the ring,  Mr. Miyagi tells him to wait, and he will see his opening.  Don't retreat.  Don't attack.  Move aside.  See with your opponent.  Of course, we all know the Kid won the tournament.

Leonard goes on to say that this can be used in the rest of our life also.  As a public speaker, he encountered a lot of verbal attacks during his Question & Answer sessions.  He learned to use his attackers own words, pivot with them, and get them to agree to his point of view in the end.  In most combat, whether war, a martial arts competition, or a verbal sparring match, we expect one person to win, and one to lose.  But it doesn't have to be that way.

Enter into their mindset, understand where they are coming from, blend with them, and direct them to a satisfactory outcome for all involved.  Verbally speaking, get them to understand and agree with you.  (This sounds like something out of How to Win Friends and Influence People, another book I really enjoyed.)

But, this isn't a trick to be used only to win.  The secret is sincerity.  Truly enter in, and honestly blend with their attack.  Using it as a mere trick only leads to clumsiness and defeat.

Here are a few more things Leonard had to say about this technique for life:  Don't give up your own stance or viewpoint.  Be well grounded or centered.  Seek true reconciliation.

Don't give up your viewpoint.  "I was wrong, you were right" just makes you the loser.  He isn't advocating giving up, or mere compramise.  Hold your ground, which leads to the second point.

Be well grounded or centered.  As a fighting technique, this would refer to your center of gravity and balance.  In life, it means "Know what you believe."

Lastly, you aren't trying to beat your opponent down.  Rather, win them over to your side.  Be reconciled.  By seeing their side of things, and swaying them, they become a friend and an advocate rather than a bitter enemy.

In the words of the Apostle Paul, "become all things to all men" in order that you may win them to Christ.  We have to know what we believe, and know why we believe it.  We have to be centered and unshakeable, knowing not just what, but in Whom we believe.  Don't give up this ground and say, "well, maybe there are other ways to God."  Jesus said he was the Only Way to the Father.  That leaves no room for Mohammed, Buddha, or myself.  I can't get there on my own.  I can't trust anyone else to get me there.  Jesus and Jesus alone is the way.

We are called to share the message of good news, not hellfire and brimstone.  Jesus is the way to heaven.  Draw them, lead them, but don't browbeat and condemn.  If not for the grace of God, that would be me.  I know these people, their lives, their needs and desires.  I can blend with them, but that doesn't mean becoming one of them.  I am a Christian, and as such, want them to see the world from my point of view.  I must enter into their world, blend with them, and then show them my world.  The world through the eyes of God.