The Art of Peace is based on four great virtues: Bravery, Wisdom, Love, and Friendship, symbolized by Fire, Earth, Heaven, and Water. Morihei Ueshiba, The Art of Peace For the orator to produce conviction three qualities are necessary; for, independently of demonstrations, the things which induce belief are three in number. These qualities are goodContinue reading “Aikido and Rhetoric: Virtue”
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German Word of the Week: Glückspilz
A glückspilz is someone who’s happy-go-lucky: sort of a cross between the American expressions “Pollyanna” and “lucky devil.” It transliterates “happy/lucky mushroom” and is, in fact, the German name of the (poisonous!) flycap or fly agaric that Euro-American kids associate with fairytales and gnomes–the one with the red cap and white spots. As a metaphor,Continue reading “German Word of the Week: Glückspilz”
Aikido and Rhetoric: Waking Up
The Art of Peace is not easy. It is a fight to the finish, the slaying of evil desires and all falsehood within. On occasion the Voice of Peace resounds like thunder, jolting human beings out of their stupor. Morihei Ueshiba, The Art of Peace It is the thunderbolt that steers the course of allContinue reading “Aikido and Rhetoric: Waking Up”
Recovery from Narcissistic Abuse
I am a survivor of narcissistic abuse (NA), and so I wanted to put a brief handlist together of the resources I have found most helpful in my ongoing recovery. First, a few caveats based on my experience: There’s a lot of content on the Internet about narcissism, NA, and C-PTSD (complex post-traumatic stress disorder,Continue reading “Recovery from Narcissistic Abuse”
Aikido and Rhetoric: Finding Balance Outside
Now and again, it is necessary to seclude yourself among deep mountains and hidden valleys to restore your link to the source of life. Breathe in and let yourself soar to the ends of the universe; breathe out and bring the cosmos back inside. Next, breathe up all the vibrancy and fecundity of the earth.Continue reading “Aikido and Rhetoric: Finding Balance Outside”
PBS Cooking School
I read a great short essay in the New York Times today by food columnist Eric Kim, in which he calls himself a “Food Network Baby” who, along with others of his generation, learned to cook–and to enjoy food as culture–by watching Emeril Lagasse, Rachael Ray, and other TV chefs in the late 90s andContinue reading “PBS Cooking School”
Aikido and Rhetoric: Yin and Yang
Eight forces sustain creation:Movement and stillness,Solidification and fluidity,Extension and contraction,Unification and division. Morihei Ueshiba, The Art of Peace What opposes unites, and the finest attunement stems from things bearing in opposite directions, and all things come about by strife. Heraclitus, fragment 8 (Barnes) Aikido and rhetoric are both arts specifically designed to harmonize opposition, whichContinue reading “Aikido and Rhetoric: Yin and Yang”
Aikido and Rhetoric: As above, below
The Art of Peace functions everywhere on earth, in realms ranging from the vastness of space down to the tiniest plants and animals. The life force is all-pervasive and its strength, boundless. The Art of Peace allows us to tap into that tremendous reserve of universal energy. Morihei Ueshiba, The Art of Peace What weContinue reading “Aikido and Rhetoric: As above, below”
Laziness and Efficiency
A friend and I were talking the other day about the word “lazy” and all the baggage it had in our families of origin. We were both from families that equated *doing* something all the time with virtue. We talked about the difference between resting and feeling unmotivated or exhausted. We talked about the differenceContinue reading “Laziness and Efficiency”
Letter of Recommendation: David Byrne’s Reasons to Be Cheerful
You’d be forgiven for thinking the world was going to hell in a handbasket–even if you just stick to mainstream news. That’s why David Byrne’s (yes, that David Byrne) Reasons to Be Cheerful newsletter really hit the spot for me. It’s all stories about really amazing things that people are doing around the world toContinue reading “Letter of Recommendation: David Byrne’s Reasons to Be Cheerful”
The Rookery 