“Four Types of Conflict,” by Drew Gardner

Man versus nature conflict is showing itself in full force lately, in different parts of the world. Most recent are the earthquake disasters in Haiti and Chile. Although with a much lower death toll, the usual sparsely-scattered snowflakes and their beauty have fallen intensely from the skies this winter, making everyday life even more challenging for inhabitants in some areas of the United States.

In Miami, a light fear looms over many of us during each hurricane season as we watch low pressure areas over the Atlantic become tropical depressions, then intensify into tropical storms, gales, and escalating hurricanes. Scientists have developed inoculations for certain viral outbreaks, and antibiotics to destroy harmful bacteria. Pertaining to the latter, we must use antibiotics with respect, because mutated bacteria can survive and form an entirely new threat to humanity. All we can do when Mother Nature unleashes Her fury is to try and stay as safe as possible. We do not have a suitable shield against such power, and when She strikes without warning, we have little armor at all. Aikido cannot protect us from Nature directly, but it can help us keep hopeful spirits to rebuild order should we survive.

Man versus animal conflict is not as problematic in civilized locales as it was for early humans. However—even today—once a man has left civilization and entered the wilderness for sport or necessity, many dangerous animals can cause mild pain to excruciating pain to rapid death. Examples are a tiny snake’s venom or a gigantic Kodiak grizzly bear’s aggression. Aikido can assist a man in the wild because it has armed him with calm awareness of his environment.

Man versus man conflict, from trivial lack of symbiosis to murder, has existed in ancient history since the first social groups formed on this planet. Tens of thousands of years later, it seemingly has waned neither in instances of occurrence nor intensity. Some think that perhaps political systems are to blame. In reality, whether socialist or representative democracy, communism or free-market economy, the human spirit is the essence. Aikido training and belief in its philosophy have the power to make one person more loving and peaceful, which enables positive ki, or vibes, to be gathered by everyone who comes into contact with this person. The more people who realize true Aiki spirit then naturally share it, the better the world, a group of seven billion individuals, becomes. Learning to emit positive vibes is not exclusive to Aikido, nor does Aikido training guarantee this subtle education. However, it certainly has shown much promise.

Man versus himself conflict is the foundation for the resolution of every preceding conflict. There is something a person usually can grasp by the age of twelve: everyone presently on Earth will with the five senses become a dry, lifeless skeleton. Most people consciously think of this physical fate only once in awhile. Depressed people tend to envision it more often. Either way, it floats about our unconscious, preconscious, and conscious minds because we know it to be reality. Some philosophy according to Aikido masters, including ones who knew O’Sensei for many years, states that there is a spiritual realm after physical death. Having faith in an afterlife of sorts is essential to moral life in this world. This is because it means what we do matters eternally. The fear of a Hell is not as much an issue as is the simple mind set that if there is no afterlife, then once we are dead, nothing we ever did matters. Losing separation between life and death is a primary leap that protects our spirits, and is a leap which Aikido training can provide to a benevolent seeker. This helps us overcome our unnecessary fears. It is one thing to say, “The only thing we have to fear is fear itself,” and a much more challenging and wonderful thing to truly enter and remain in such a mind state.

» Next: “Awakening Integral: Part 7 - Before All Else, There Is Perspective,” by Miles Kessler

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Posted by Aikido Journal on Mar 1st, 2010: Contributed (post a comment)