The Mushin Way to Peak Performance

Chapter 8 Aiki: Unity

In this chapter, you will learn why aikido teaches us never to meet force with force, but instead to blend your energy with your opponent's and use leverage to defeat even the strongest opponent. We'll discuss how to leverage weaknesses and turn them into strengths, and why you need to start by evaluating your own strengths and weaknesses with clear eyes.

I was 16 years old and driving my parents' car when I stopped at a red light. Suddenly, I noticed a guy driving up a one-way street the wrong way, perpendicular to me. He started to inch out into the intersection and actually tapped my parents' car!

I started yelling at him. He yelled at me. Pretty soon we were both out of our cars, shouting in the middle of the street. Then he pushed me, and I pushed back.

I had been taking karate lessons for a few years. If I had remembered my karate training, I would not have let it escalate to the point of a physical fight. This guy was much bigger than me. I had no chance of winning using force against force, and winning pointless fights was not the purpose of my training anyway. But in the heat of the moment all I remembered were the karate kicks and punches I could land on this guy.

I did the stupidest thing I could have done. Just like you see in the movies, I did a supercool rear spinning back kick! Except unlike the movies, instead of this guy flying backward ...