If you’re a serious practitioner of Aikido then I am sure you are no stranger to the occasional struggle. Like every other developmental practice, hitting personal limitations and working on the edge of your comfort is unavoidable. As true as this is in ourselves, so too is it true in the world.
In our previous chat, master facilitator Mark Walsh (“The Embodiment Podcast”) and I spoke about 3 phases of our personal development, namely “retreating from the world, returning to the marketplace and expressing our practice in virtual space” – and how each one of these moves comes with its set of challenges and learning curves. In this video once again we’re off to the races as we romp through the topic of “Polarity, Sex, & Enlightenment.
Well, I’m back from the Dead Sea Seminar for about 10 days now, and my life is finally getting back to normal. I’m still catching up on things, but I thought I’d make a quick blog post here of a video my friend Mark Walsh from Integration Training made with me out at the Dead Sea.
When you’re walking on a higher Path of development each milestone along the way is another marker of learning. These markers are points where you can say to yourself with confidence –“Yes, I learned something there”.
The terms “masculine” & “feminine” do not refer to gender, but rather to the Yin/Yang experience of being human. This is a fundamental duality that reflects two sides of the same spiritual coin. Regardless of gender, we all have access to both masculine and feminine within. We are all expressions of these types, just to different degrees. Awakening, embodying, and enacting the masculine & feminine principles in our life is a Path of practice. A Path that will lead to greater balance, integration, and Oneness.
Integral Spirituality: A Startling New Role for Religion in the Modern and Postmodern World (Shambhala, 2007)
Aptly referred to as the “Einstein of consciousness”, Ken Wilber is perhaps the most significant philosopher of our times. He is the mapmaker that has synthesized all of the human wisdom traditions into his famous Integral Model, which applies to every aspect of life. Integral Spirituality illuminates the promise and potential of the spiritual path like never before. Through “multiple perspective taking” you will gain a powerful map of the classical path of spiritual states and the skill-sets you need to reach higher and higher stages of spiritual development.
From the deepest spiritual perspective, everything in the Universe is One. This perspective was certainly O Sensei’s “Lions Roar” declaration, with his awakening manifesting into the art we call Aikido. But as that Oneness divides, duality is created, and it manifests into infinite shapes and forms. The most fundamental duality is none other than Masculine and Feminine. They are universal principles.
This is the Yin/Yang source code that appears throughout the manifest universe. Whether looking at physical or non-physical phenomena, exteriors or interiors, animate or inanimate objects, this universal source code exists in all phenomena. And just as it exists out there in all the Universe, so too does it exist inside each of us. Since this is so fundamental to our practice it can be very helpful to understand the masculine & feminine principles in Aikido.
Everything Is Workable: A Zen Approach to Conflict Resolution (Shambhala, 2013)
Diane Musho Hamilton is a dear friend and mentor, a gifted Zen teacher, master facilitator, and professional mediator. In her first book, Diane brings a Zen approach to conflict resolution. You will learn from her to work with your personal “conflict style,” discover the creativity that lies at the core of all conflict, and the 3-fold practice of showing up, listening and witnessing. Diane is just great, and this book will introduce you to the art of conflict, and how to work with it in all aspects of your life.