What Aikido Can Teach Us About Learning Plateaus

Achieving goals is important. But whether it is sweet or bitter, the real juices of life are not the product of our efforts, but the process of being alive itself, and the way it feels alive.

~ George Leonard

Recently, Aikido artist James Samana, who trains at AikiLife Dojo in Canberra, Australia, emailed me a late-night impression of his Aikido trip.

James is a black belt in Aikido and works as an executive coach, course designer and facilitator in Australian public services. His thoughts about Aikido could not be extended to practice, learning and learning with every effort, including mastering conflict and communication.

James shared with me the praise for the famous Aikidoist, writer and educator George Leonardo. He quotes from Leonard's book, Mastery: The Keys to Success and Long-Term Fulfilment, and states that those who practice Aikido fall into the following specific categories:

• Doubler leaves as soon as things get difficult.
• Obsession, burst of passionate energy that does not last.
• I think that is the only hacker who stopped trying on the first plateau.

Highland learning

Still, like me, James is aiming for Leonard's fourth category-a student on the road to learning and wanting to practice the art of training. As James told me, these students learn and accept the learning plateau “more than endure”. And with this acceptance, they discover that true love arises.

According to James:

... I saw a lot of Aikido at the dojo in the process of making this fourth type, Masters! They know that there is great pleasure in regular training and sharing our lives within the community. When I come to my dojo ... I put all my life problems behind. I feel like I have been given a tool for life masters as well as Aikido masters.

As George Leonard said in "Mastery", the most struggling person may be able to achieve Mastery's final goal. -am "When I'm on the learning plateau ... and most importantly, how to continue training!

These types are not “race” to get to the top, but steadily advance art for the love of travel. They are people who can “get everything” because they have learned how to learn when learning is harder than those who easily pick things up!

Practice Is Art

A few years ago I had the opportunity to participate in training for George Leonard. In my experience he practiced what he taught. As he says, practice is art.

When you forget to listen by pushing your way. When the center is lost due to rush hour traffic. When I forgot to think before speaking-the ability to continue to exist during the plateau and see them as another step in my learning is an Aikido way.

Our awareness is always in training. Seeing yourself, appreciating the struggle, and being able to continue even when learning is difficult are life skills.

Thank you James, midnight meditation. And for your willingness to share them.