Black Belt of Wisdom. Aikido for Personal Development

For Stan Wrubel, aikido is not just a martial art, but a kind of "metaphor" for life. The duel helps understand who we really are, what ways we use to interact with the surrounding reality, and how effective they are.... Aikido masters suggest rejecting the concept of power based on physical strength and the desire for control. Much more important is awareness, the ability to accept reality as it is, and presence in every moment. By working on these skills, one can learn to achieve a "flow experience"—a state where the mind and body react to external impulses intuitively, without tension and negative emotions.
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According to the author, in the end, in a duel, as in life, it is not the one who is more aggressive and stronger who wins, but the one who is focused, calm, and is "here and now".