Aikido as a way of life.

  The idea of defeating the mind of contention that we harbor within is taking on new meaning to me. It could be a practice of acceptance and compassion rather than a battle of wills. What if I embrace all the parts of me and you…the anger, fear, and frustration as well as the joy, patience and tenderness? What if I am flawed and perfect just like you? Are we separate?  Or are we all joined in synchronicity and energy…moving, whirling, sometimes in unison, sometimes in disarray,  heading in the direction of peacefulness?