Personal crisis has taught me many things. At the top of the list is…

Hang in there, let go.

When we “mind” the Uke-Nage relationship we can say truthfully that each role is set up to be opposite and complementary to the other. When we “body” the Uke-Nage relationship we are truthful in complementing the other, and “opposite” has no meaning. It is pure presence—oneness in a world of twos.

Ultimately, the idea is to be Aikido’s principle in action. So you’re practicing shihonage. Okay, then. Time to let go of shihonage. Are you practicing nikkyo? Okay, then. Time to let go of nikkyo. The techniques haven’t gone anywhere. You’re just noticing what made them worthwhile, meaningful, and yes, even effective. Yes, you need a vehicle, but don’t trade the journey for it.

In keeping on a path of discovery, and guiding my students on one as best as I can, it seems there is a never-ending pattern of conditioning—deconditioning—conditioning—deconditioning… Learning just to forget down the road.