Aikido: A Deadly Force

7/18/91

Mark J. Norton

There is, I believe, a dark side to Aikido. On its basic level, it is martial art. Violence is a part of that art. We are exposed to simulated aggression constantly, and occasionally, real intent to harm. Physical contact can bring out the venal side of some people: a twist causes excess pain, resistance to a technique without cause, a quick grope or sexual feel, etc. This power also attracts many people, some who misuse it.

In some people, these experiences can be a means of personal growth. Power to control can lead to self-confidence and a very positive outlook. Seeing pain in other people (given a modicum of empathy) allows one to understand the responsibilities that go with the skills. Learning to deal with aggression in a controled environment is invaluable in a situation where violence is real.

Steve Segal has produced several movies at this point in time which show a very violent side of Aikido. They show several techniques applied fully, often with devastating effects. A student asked me once if these movies violated the spirit of harmony which the philosophical aspects of Aikido present. I replied that Segal serves a useful purpose in showing just how powerful certain techniques can be. It shows, through the use of fiction, that responsibility goes with ability.

Mr. Segal shows us that Aikido can be a deadly force, if used that way. O-Sensei understood this quite well. For this reason, I think, he also has left us with a philosophy that Aikido can be a controlling force in neutralizing violence. Aggression is met with an accepting nature and is absorbed. Energy is re-directed in positive ways. "I am safe from my enemy and he is safe from me, for I have a moral responsibility for his wellfare, as well as my own."

Many do not agree. "If a man attacks me,", some might say, "I am justisfied in taking whatever actions I see fit." This is a self-centered view, however. In a way, meeting aggression with violence in return is a way of treating the symptoms, not the causes. Why do people do these things to each other? Answers are not easy. In many ways, I beleive that aggression is built into people, especially men. For life to survive at a primitive level, it must constantly compete, including with others of its own species. The primitive level, however, is one without intelligence. With the emergence of Man, comes a creature that is capable of understanding Nature (at least in part). At this level, one begins to understand that there are perhaps other ways to survive, by cooperating with Nature, by being in harmony with her.

The intelligent man, therefore, has an opportunity to help other men (and women, of course) to understand these principles. When a man attacks another, the intelligent man will say, "he does not understand harmony, how can I help him?" If his neighbor learns cooperation and harmony, it becomes easier for all. This is not easy, though, for understanding is at many levels and at its deeper levels it containts unpleasant truths (death, disease, decay, entropy).

The ancients understood this well. "Embrace death!" they would declare. "Wa is the foundation of society! When hungry, eat; when tired, sleep." These concepts are foreign to modern times. People believe they are distant from violence and death. It is not so. Death comes to us now in the form of disease and decay. "Poor man. Died of heart disease. He was so young! True, he did smoke and was overweight." Is this so different than facing death at the hands of an enemy on the field of combat? I think not. The field is different, weapons change. Principles remain.

Dealing with violent people requires a selection of weapons. The physical level needs physical weapons and skills. The emotional level and intellectual level requires different tools, different skills. When a man attacks, neutralize it! Why is it that so many people think that the battle is over at this point? It is not. The physical combat is complete. The person held to the groung snarls with anger, screams his frustration, tears stain the ground. Here is an emotional attack (which can happen without a physical lead in as well). How does one deal with an emotional attack? When are we taught in Aikido to deal with emotions? In general, we are not. But we all experience these conflicts. Maturity is gained in part by being able to handle emotional combat. So we speak soothingly to the captive enemy. He cannot move, and emotion eventually dissipates. Ah! Finally combat is at an end. NO! It is not. We now move on to the final level: intellectual combat. Here, reason (it is hoped) comes into play. Why did the man attack in the first place? Is there anything that can be done about its causes? Yes? I can help you? Good, we have both won this battle.

If we lived in a world which only had light, we would fear the darkness. Coming to know the dark, we appreciate light. So too for Aikido and other martial arts. To truly understand and appreciate its high moral principles, we must understand also its dark side.