Franciscan monk, Richard Rohr says, “That which we oppose determines the energy and frames the question.”
That’s some simple but powerful stuff there.
If we think in terms of martial arts, Aikido consists of movements that deflect and redirect the momentum of an opponent’s attack, so instead of “fighting” the opponent, you’re actually working with the energy. Changing it. Transforming it. Aikido is often translated as “the way of unifying (with) life energy” or as “the way of harmonious spirit.”
So it’s literally known as the “way of combining forces.” You’re not denying some force is working against you. You learn to work with the force. You use the force.
Sound familiar Star Wars fans?
That’s analogous to what we are trying to do with our own lives. To fight or oppose negative energy ”“ which is what we all do in many different ways ”“ actually not only gives it more power but it begins to shape how we orient ourselves in the world.
The oppositional force is a powerful force, but there’s nothing wrong with having it. The problem is we judge it and condemn it and thereby start working against it. This usually shows up in the form of resistance, which then morphs into the question part Mr. Rohr talks about. We start to move through the world not asking questions from a place of really wanting to know the answer to get out of our quagmire, or create a breakthrough, or solve a problem. Instead we reinforce the opposing energy or point of view. We bitch, complain, moan, rationalize, strategize and retaliate against.
Einstein said, “You can never solve a problem at the level on which it was created.”
That’s another way of saying the same thing. If you aren’t seeking a new level to move through your challenges, you sort of stay energetically stuck at the level that is creating the challenges.
So what do you oppose? What are you fighting? Ultimately, I’ve found we’re always fighting ourselves, often masked (and projected) as something or someone out there. It’s easier to make it about a lover or parent or sibling or political candidate(!) ”“ than it is to acknowledge and accept it can only be resolved within yourself.
So which permutation of self do you battle? Your angry self? Stupid self? Sexual self? Loser self? Fat self? Ugly self? Douche-bag self? Talent-less self?
And through what? Through what form does it show up? Through the industry? Through the way you see yourself? Through your work as an artist? Through your frustrations about being unlucky at love? Through your appearance? Through most relationships?
Watch what conversations arise from this. Watch how much time and energy you give to reinforce your position rather than letting something go and finding something else to discuss instead. The irony is we often don’t look for the way out of a problem ”“ because we secretly want to stay stuck in it instead.
Ouch.
There’s no freedom there. Absolutely no freedom. We’d rather stay trapped in the familiar, if not the miserable. This merely gives us great excuses why our lives aren’t working rather than simply acknowledging, “I’m scared.” “If I do that, I might fail.” “I’m not sure I can do this.” But if we can acknowledge that, we immediately rise to a new level to solve that which is holding us back.
Let your wise, warrior Obi-Wan Kenobi self remind your young Jedi-in- training self: “Use the force, Luke.” Because you are all parts. And by using all of them, without resistance, you have the power to transform. Just like an Aikido master.