Aikido is and always has been a new paradigm in martial arts training, and has truly redefined what it means to be “martial.” The old paradigm is concerned with winning, power over others and conditions, and typically approaches body and form through right-or-wrong lenses. It says that there is a technique for this situation, this is the way you do it, and if you repeat it enough times it will become natural. The old paradigm always carries at least some life-denying energy in either intent or training approach. The new paradigm is concerned with personal evolution, empowered relationship with others and conditions, and typically approaches body and form through true-or-false lenses. It says that techniques are vehicles for embodying principles, there are infinite forms of appropriate response for this situation, and one will be expressed when I am a true expression of guiding principles. The new paradigm is always life affirming in intent and approach. There is much more to distinguish between the two paradigms, but this is enough to make my point…which is this. There are simply too many of us out there with the Aikido brand who are operating from and within the old paradigm. Aikido is in danger of becoming another “jitsu” or “ryu,” and this I take seriously. Aikido is not a jitsu or ryu. It is a martial instrument for personal development. Don’t confuse the techniques we practice with the Aikido itself. When O-Sensei stated that Aikido was here for human beings to become one family, he didn’t mean that repeating nikkyo until it was really strong would manifest that. He meant (I believe) that Nage and Uke can relate to each other in such a way that each can learn nikkyo, and it can be an affirming martial expression of harmony. But it won’t turn out that way if we’re not approaching it that way. This is where all of us can be real warriors—to be a living reflection of what Aikido actually stands for. I know this because I, too, went through a long period of letting go of the old paradigm and making myself vulnerable to the possibility that I wouldn’t be able to walk my talk. But this is the issue, isn’t it? I think those of us on an Aikido path all have to face this at some point. So, are you ready to face the fork in the road? I’m not gonna say that I hope you pick the “right” one, because I don’t want to imply that Aikido is the right path for you. Maybe a jitsu or ryu is the right thing for you. I do get a little worried, though, when I see the Aikido name attached to it. Maybe it’s one of those inevitabilities I should just let go of, but I don’t think I’m ready yet.