Reading the thread about self defense made me think about Tom
Crum's example of real communication in "The Magic of Conflict."
To paraphrase, he talks about 2 people wanting an orange. Being
reasonable people they discuss it and come to the conclusion
that they would cut the orange in 2 and each have half. So they
cut the orange in half and were sort of ok with the decision.
Then the first man peeled his orange and ate the fruit and the
other man zested the skin and threw out the fruit. With just a
little more communication they both could have all of what they
wanted. When uke attacks with intention and commitment and nage
responds with the same we can both have all that we want. It
takes work and the willingness to be truthful but the results
are good. How do you explain some of what Morihei Ueshiba is
supposed to have said? For example, according to Admiral
Takeshita's diary, Ueshiba supposedly said, "Aiki is a means of
achieving harmony with another person so that you can make them
do what you want." To m