Aiki Pathways

Resolutions that last...........

2010-01-06T12:27:00.000-08:00

Happy New Year!

Many of us begin the new year with a sense of relief that we have completed something and optimism about getting to begin anew. Many people begin the new year with an intention or resolution to change things in their life. Unfortunately, many people end up being unable to follow through on their resolutions and end up feeling discouraged with themselves.

Creating lasting change in ourselves takes commitment, clarity, practice and support. A commitment is a "container". It is something that holds us in our intention when the seas become rough and we want to abandon our own ship. Some people are afraid of commitments because they feel that they may loose their freedom. Actually, the opposite is true. Entering freely into a commitment is a liberating experience because it allows us to do what we want to do without the distraction of looking elsewhere for our happiness. It also keeps us going on those hard days when we want to give up. And, it gives us a way to be with what arises as a point of inquiry not a reason for reactivity.

Clarity is important because it helps us to keep our focus on our intentions or goals. Having clarity be a goal in life is in itself a liberating thing. When we are clear minded we make better choices, feel more empowered and balanced and have more energy to do the things that matter to us. Confusion, fog, indecision, sleepiness etc. all take away energy rather than enhance it. Clarity increases our vitality.

Practice is very important. We can not make lasting changes without practice. Most of us do not get good at things without regular practice. Practice takes us out of the realm of ideas and places us in the domain of action. Action is empowering. It gets us involved, it moves energy and builds confidence. Practice in the spiritual sense is a tool for empowerment. When we commit to practicing something on a regular basis, we are saying we will do it whether we feel like it or not. We are saying we will do it because we want to wake up and know ourselves deeply. We are saying that we will do it because we want to meet and greet the parts of ourselves that make us uncomfortable. Through practice we can embody the changes we wish to make while working through our fears and limitations. We change with the added benefit of becoming less afraid to change while simultaneously feeling more courageous in our life.

Making changes is much easier to do when we have and can receive support. We are tribal animals. We need each other. We need support when our resolve weakens. Making changes is easier when you are doing it with others. There is an energy that is available from friends and community that can sustain and encourage us to stay with our dreams. We can use that energy to help our progress. We are so interconnected! There are times to be supportive of others and there are times to allow others to support us. Living in balance in giving and receiving is an important skill to embody. There is of course a vulnerability associated to this. Vulnerability is just a undefended state. Getting acquainted with our own vulnerability and the vulnerability of others is a powerful tool!

So go ahead and aspire to the things that really matter to you. With these things in place, you will succeed although probably not in a linear way! The practice of Aikido is a beautiful way to come together to practice embodying positive changes in a supportive community. We can learn so much about ourselves and embody tools that will support us as we navigate these turbulent times.

Come to our open house on Jan. 9th at 11am and see what it's all about. Then, take the next step and sign up for Aikido!

Body Based Practices

2009-10-27T19:47:00.000-07:00

I have been reflecting recently on the benefits of having a spiritual practice that is body based in nature. The practices of Aikido are designed to bring the body, mind and spirit into unity. Who are we when this is achieved? What does it take to reach such a state? Is it sustainable? In my opinion, there is something to be said for engaging in practices that put your body on the line. That is, putting yourself regularly in a situation in which you have to encounter your own fear and discomfort and receive immediate feedback regarding your ability to be with such circumstances. To choose to walk towards your discomfort on a regular basis has a beautiful effect of reducing your fear and raising your feelings of personal strength and empowerment. It takes so much energy to avoid ourselves and ultimately it is a futile and exhausting endeavor. The act of choosing to meet yourself through your body opens up pathways to yourself, to your connectedness to all things, to your health/wellness and to your wholeness. Committing to showing up day after day and willingly receive the reflections that the mirror of the practice so generously provides is ultimately the path to freedom. To experience those exquisite moments when body, mind and spirit are fully integrated while under some kind of duress is to know an inner peace that most people long for and few people know how to attain. We begin to know ourselves as people who can stay calm and present under life's pressures. As someone who can show up fully for the hard things in life and not only be grounded and present but open hearted and compassionate as well. Such a state of presence and equilibrium is not achieved by an idea or a thought but by engaging in a regular practice preferably in the presence of others. Training in an Aikido dojo can provide such an opportunity. Staying with something over time, that is many years, and despite being challenged and tested in ways we can never imagine, we develop a depth of being that can only serve to benefit the world.

Intro

2009-10-12T13:44:00.000-07:00

Greetings to all of you who have an interest in the Path of Peace!

I have been wanting to have a way to share my thoughts, my teachings and other relevant information that arises as I walk this Aiki Path. And now, I finally have a blog!

I am excited to have this new pathway through which to share my thoughts about how the embodiment of the principles of Aikido can improve the quality of daily life for everyone.

Please check back often for updates. Until next time, breathe as often as possible, feel your feet on the Earth and know that who you are and what you do matters!