Category Archives: Uncategorized

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Aikido: Martial Art Or Spiritual Path?

Community Call w/ Miles Kessler

Is Aikido a martial art, or a spiritual path? From a martial perspective, if push came to shove, could you kill another to protect a greater good? On the other hand, from a spiritual perspective, in a moment of truth, could you sacrifice your own life for a greater good? Now the big question; how can you hold both of these perspectives in the same place at the same time? This KOAN is at the core of Aikido, and this is what we explored in this community call on Aikido: Martial Art Or Spiritual Path?

Integral Dojo Community Call w/ Miles Kessler Sensei
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Compassionate Conversations

How To Speak And Listen From The Heart

The author Sam Harris says that “the evolution of human civilization has been nothing less than a series of successful conversations.” But what exactly does it take to have a successful conversation? This is the question I recently explored with the authors of the new book “Compassionate Conversations – How To Speak And Listen From The Heart.”

Diane Musho Hamilton, Gabriel Menegal Wilson, Kimberly Myosai Loh
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Aikido Bokken Lifting & Striking

Basic Principles Of Aiki-Ken

Is Bokken training a part of your Aikido practice? If yes, then do you feel that the Bokken is synchronized and integrated into your Bokken forms? Do you feel that your Bokken forms are synchronized and integrated into your empty-handed Aikido? In this latest video in my Aikido Bokken tutorial series, I go into the details of the Aikido Bokken striking dynamics important for creating integration in your Aikido. Check out my latest tutorial on Aikido Bokken Lifting & Striking.

Aikido Sensei Miles Kessler Bokken Tutorial
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Meditation Coaching For Coaches

With "Wellbeing" Expert Celynn Morin

Last fall I offered free meditation coaching sessions to a limited number of people in my audience.  Those who participated were a varied group of meditators that ranged from novice to experienced that included therapists and leadership trainers, martial artists and dancers, people who follow traditional meditation schools, and people who had an eclectic collection of meditation methods. In the following coaching demo, I work with Celynn Morin who is herself, a wellbeing coach.

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Meditation In A Time Of Crisis

Global Sangha Community Call

With the whole world in lock-down and keeping social distance from each other, it is extremely supportive to get together to practice meditation. Last Sunday, March 29th, 2020 I gathered with our global meditation sangha for a 60 min workshop on how meditation can be an essential resource for you during these challenging times. In this community call we explored how Meditation supports you not only in ordinary times, but especially during the current Coronavirus and COVID-19 crisis. The session was aptly called “meditation in a time of crisis.”

Community Call w/ Miles Kessler
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Meditation Coaching Demo Series 2

#3) Dave Jaques & #4) Hila Gozani

In this second installment of my “Meditation Coaching Demo” series, I’m sharing 2 sessions from meditators who have distinctly different practices. Dave is using a mindfulness-based practice which he also applies in his Aikido practice and interactions at work. Hila has a “mantra” based practice and uses guided meditation and the repetition of a mantra for the basic preparation of her daily Nia routine. I think you will gain a lot from these 2 different meditation approaches in this installment of my Meditation Coaching Demo Series.

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Kaeshi Waza – Reversal Techniques In Aikido

How complex is your Aikido? I don’t mean “how complicated” is your Aikido. But rather your ability to perceive, respond and perform with complexity. Every developmental stage of your practice can be described as a progression through levels of complexity. Each level of practice is based on a solid understanding of the previous level and then adding to it more complexity. From beginners to intermediate, to advanced. In the video below I demonstrate one of the most advanced (and interesting) practices, “Kaeshi Waza” – Reversal Techniques In Aikido.

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Mindfulness Cultivates Equanimity

Meditation Monday with Sayadaw Vivekananda

What does it mean to have a “balanced mind”, and how can mindfulness meditation help to cultivate it? Mindfulness-based meditation practice has very positive effects on the mind that are experienced as temporary states. A long term committed practice will transform these temporary, positive states into permanent traits… into new a way of being. Buddhism lists these beneficial qualities as “The 7 Factors Of Awakening”, with the culmination in that list of “equanimity”, an exquisitely balanced mind. In the below interview excerpt Vipassana meditation teacher Sayadaw Vivekananda speaks about how “mindfulness cultivates equanimity”.

Ven. Sayadaw Vivekananda