Aiki-Dialogue In Three Easy Lessons
I. Induction – The focus of attention
The first stage of the Aiki-Dialogue process begins with deepening each individual’s state of presence to align a common center. The practice of feeling where you are induces a state of authenticity and spontaneity. The practice develops the ability to include somatic awareness and its intelligence, while functioning in the mental and verbal domains. A unified field of awareness expands through each individual and through the whole of the group.
Induction happens in a group through a magnetic pulse as everyone’s attention focuses together. Induction includes everything that has led to the opening moments of Dialogue, from the first idea to the moments as the circle gathers and separate people become a focused group. Induction is comparable to that moment when everyone in a choir is warming up and at the conductors cue; they all come together as one sound.
The first principle includes feeling where you are mentally, emotionally and spiritually. Feel where you are tight or in resistance to the flow of meaning through the group. Feel where you are relaxed or where the energy is flowing freely. Feel where you are in space, feel where you are in relationship to other people. Feel where you are in relationship to the rhythm of the group and each member as a representative of the whole.
Induction brings us into larger and subtler dimensions, feeling relationship to the group and to the whole Creation. Focusing our unified attention makes it possible to sense with our combined intelligence and perceive beyond our individual limitations.
You Can’t Get There From Not Here
PRESENCE/RHYTHM/FEEL/SENSE
Aiki-Dialogue In Three Easy Lessons
II. Inquiry The recognition of attraction
The second stage of Aiki-Dialogue is each individual seeking the perception that attracts the greatest interest and creating a field of inquiry. Inquiry implies engaged non-resistance, wonder moving in confluence with experience. Accept your feelings and thoughts and those of others. Learning means adapting to change by aligning with meaning as it unfolds.
Any resistance you bring into a situation increases resistance. Resistance makes the subtle whisperings of the unknown difficult to hear. The essence of Aikido is non-resistance. In Aikido the attack represents the force of change. Don’t resist, staying on the line of the attack opposing the energy, either being pushed or pushing back against. In Dialogue do not resist another’s meaning or yield to it. In Dialogue non-resistance means allowing wonder. Inquiry does not oppose anyone’s description. Aiki spirit enters in & and joins with the attacker’s direction and energy. Emotionally inquiry creates harmoniousrelationship. Excitement, anger, frustration, enthusiasm, sadness, enjoyment arise. Accept the feeling and receive it as guidance. Aiki-Dialogue expands our understanding by including everyone else’s.
If another person reacts negatively to a suggestion, don’t oppose their reaction or try to convince them. Work with them to understand the expanding implications. Enter into an inquiry together. Use their input as energy to generate new meaning.
Fixed in opinions learning stops. Dogmatic thought, without inquiry generates an attitude of defensiveness and right and wrong, rather than one of learning. It captures attention rather than freeing it. Inquiry positions us to learn together creatively. When energy is not lost to friction or opposition, it frees our awareness. All our attention can be focused on generating solutions and positive action. Through inquiry the doorway opens to the third principle — relevation.
The enemy of truth is not lies. It is convictions.
LISTEN/HARMONIZE/BLEND/LEARN
Aiki-Dialogue In Three Easy Lessons
III. Inspiration Relevation of the whisperings
Relevate– (What is relevant elevates into consciousness)
The third stage of the Aiki-Dialogue process is sensing unfolding meaning. As we deepen our inquiry what is relevant elevates into consciousness. Each individual speaks their truth of the moment into a larger pool of meaning. Each of us has a unique view of the world. Each of us brings something special to share. When everyone’s contribution is valued a richer flow of meaning appears. Make your contribution.
The first two stages engender the third. The group must be: (1) in a self-aware, self-reflexive state of focused attention, present, centered and grounded; and (2) in a state of inquiry, operating in confluence with the diversity of meaning, in harmony with the mystery. Without resistance or defensiveness, all energy can be focused on developing meaning that encompasses and expands the whole of knowledge.
Most people want to jump to the third step without attending to the first two. When you operate from a state of conscious awareness and non-resistance, you contribute authenticity and spontaneity. You make your own meaning and thereby a contribution of unique value. No one else hears the whisperings quite the same. Once we are present and full of wonder about the reality of the moment we open the possibility to lead change, to think, speak and act in new ways. Feel where you are, as a group, create an inquiring harmonious relationship with the unknown, and share who you are by allowing your experience to relevate. (What is relevant elevates into consciousness)
CREATE/CONTRIBUTE/LEAD
Anyone interested in learning more is directed to the free download
Aiki-Dialogue and the Flow of Meaning