Elliot Harris
25th October 2004, 01:52
On a previous thread, aiki term (http://www.e-budo.com/vbulletin/showthread.php?threadid=27586 ) , the point was raised that virtually any action could be “aiki” (including employment of artillery) if “aiki” principles were applied. As my exposure to aiki based arts is limited, I would like to know how some of you who have more extensive experience with aiki arts might characterize what you believe to be the differences using a specific scenario.
The intent here is to identify how you might handle a situation using an “aiki” solution versus other more familiar strategies.
Here’s the exercise: describe a scenario, and then briefly describe what you would consider to be a “go” (hard) solution/strategy, a “ju” (soft/blending) solution/strategy, and an “aiki” (pick your definition…) strategy/solution.
I’ll start.
Scenario: I am at a bar having a few drinks. Other guy doesn’t like the way I look (he thinks I am eying his girlfriend; maybe I am, but not the point). He gets in my face trying to start a fight…
“Go” solution: Maybe I recognize the center of gravity here is this guy’s vulnerable ego, either way it doesn’t matter – I will crush him. I call him an “idiot looser with $&!^ for brains,” fight ensues. I use appropriate technique from Viking jedi ryu using principles of technique based on mass, strength, speed, and more is better; I proceed to beat his behind silly. If things go well I knock him out with one blow. Then I am thrown out by the bouncers, or arrested after the bouncers have to call an ambulance on the lout. Most witnesses saw me start the fight. If I am lucky, no charges are pressed.
“Ju” solution: I realize the center of gravity here is this guy’s vulnerable ego, he is a little insecure and needs to be reassured. I tell him something like, “yes, she is beautiful and ‘you’re the man’ for it…” If necessary, I offer to buy him a beer... If it goes bad, I use the appropriate technique from jedi jujitsu ryu using principles of technique based on various forms of kuzushi (off balancing) that capitalize on positioning, timing, momentum, and leverage; I cause only as much damage as necessary to neutralize the situation before the bouncers get involved (this may mean I have to do anything from hold him securely or throw him into a table, to choke him unconscious or actually injure/break a joint). Witnesses say I was only defending myself, and ask who my master is. Probably, no charges are pressed.
“Aiki” solution: My mere presence penetrates him with awe and love, and he sees the folly of attempting to attack me. If I am lucky he offers to introduce me to his girlfriend. If it goes bad, I use secret technique from aiki jedi ryu relying on principles I cannot divulge (but as a minimum include the same principles as jedi jujitsu ryu, but have a unique penetrating flavor to it, that capitalizes on perception and harmonizing our universal energies in a way that can not be described, only felt) and without my even touching him, his energy is returned in such a way that he throws himself safely to the ground with each attempted attack until he fully appreciates how out-matched he is and learns his lesson. Then he offers to introduce me to his girlfriend. Witnesses say they saw a strange light emanating from me and I seemed to move in slow motion avoiding attacks and applying technique with the grace of angels. No charges pressed. The Police Department asks me to sign on as a Defensive Tactics instructor.
As my exposure to aiki-based arts is obviously limited, feel free to offer critique, alternate solutions, or even create your own scenario with a trio (go, ju, aiki) of proposed solutions. The point is to focus on the strategic logic of your actions/or an effective way to illustrate the differences of principle versus a hit him high then low/throw ippon sayonara/apply wristy-twisy #34 type of analysis.
Again, feel free to create your own situation and go for it. If you want to get more creative try something truly useful, like…(some suggestions: get grumpy neighbor to park his rust bucket of a car somewhere other than in front of your house, get your kids to clean their room, get your kids to eat their vegetables, get a raise, etc...).
The intent here is to identify how you might handle a situation using an “aiki” solution versus other more familiar strategies.
Here’s the exercise: describe a scenario, and then briefly describe what you would consider to be a “go” (hard) solution/strategy, a “ju” (soft/blending) solution/strategy, and an “aiki” (pick your definition…) strategy/solution.
I’ll start.
Scenario: I am at a bar having a few drinks. Other guy doesn’t like the way I look (he thinks I am eying his girlfriend; maybe I am, but not the point). He gets in my face trying to start a fight…
“Go” solution: Maybe I recognize the center of gravity here is this guy’s vulnerable ego, either way it doesn’t matter – I will crush him. I call him an “idiot looser with $&!^ for brains,” fight ensues. I use appropriate technique from Viking jedi ryu using principles of technique based on mass, strength, speed, and more is better; I proceed to beat his behind silly. If things go well I knock him out with one blow. Then I am thrown out by the bouncers, or arrested after the bouncers have to call an ambulance on the lout. Most witnesses saw me start the fight. If I am lucky, no charges are pressed.
“Ju” solution: I realize the center of gravity here is this guy’s vulnerable ego, he is a little insecure and needs to be reassured. I tell him something like, “yes, she is beautiful and ‘you’re the man’ for it…” If necessary, I offer to buy him a beer... If it goes bad, I use the appropriate technique from jedi jujitsu ryu using principles of technique based on various forms of kuzushi (off balancing) that capitalize on positioning, timing, momentum, and leverage; I cause only as much damage as necessary to neutralize the situation before the bouncers get involved (this may mean I have to do anything from hold him securely or throw him into a table, to choke him unconscious or actually injure/break a joint). Witnesses say I was only defending myself, and ask who my master is. Probably, no charges are pressed.
“Aiki” solution: My mere presence penetrates him with awe and love, and he sees the folly of attempting to attack me. If I am lucky he offers to introduce me to his girlfriend. If it goes bad, I use secret technique from aiki jedi ryu relying on principles I cannot divulge (but as a minimum include the same principles as jedi jujitsu ryu, but have a unique penetrating flavor to it, that capitalizes on perception and harmonizing our universal energies in a way that can not be described, only felt) and without my even touching him, his energy is returned in such a way that he throws himself safely to the ground with each attempted attack until he fully appreciates how out-matched he is and learns his lesson. Then he offers to introduce me to his girlfriend. Witnesses say they saw a strange light emanating from me and I seemed to move in slow motion avoiding attacks and applying technique with the grace of angels. No charges pressed. The Police Department asks me to sign on as a Defensive Tactics instructor.
As my exposure to aiki-based arts is obviously limited, feel free to offer critique, alternate solutions, or even create your own scenario with a trio (go, ju, aiki) of proposed solutions. The point is to focus on the strategic logic of your actions/or an effective way to illustrate the differences of principle versus a hit him high then low/throw ippon sayonara/apply wristy-twisy #34 type of analysis.
Again, feel free to create your own situation and go for it. If you want to get more creative try something truly useful, like…(some suggestions: get grumpy neighbor to park his rust bucket of a car somewhere other than in front of your house, get your kids to clean their room, get your kids to eat their vegetables, get a raise, etc...).