I didn’t know about that one, but it makes sense—definitely probably related to ma-ai (rhythm-timing). If your rhythm is right, your spacing will be right.
I love this concept. I look forward to reading more of your thoughts on it, once you have gotten the rest you need in order to return to it with a fresh mind.
Your challenge with embracing the concept in daily life makes sense, considering how US culture encourages us to sprint constantly, and then chastise ourselves and ignore our own needs when we inevitably become exhausted. I remember long ago reading an article about a productivity study that was done, in which they found that people who worked 8 hours straight without a break were less productive in that 8 hours than were those who took a 1 hour lunch break, and only worked for 7 of the 8 hours. In spite of this knowledge our culture continues to value the appearance of productivity over both well-being and the quality of "life" and "productivity" that would be possible if we were more respectful of our own rhythms and needs.
Thanks for reading and for your comment, LC! I'm glad you brought up how this concept can be related to work and the unreasonable expectations of capitalist "productivity". I would like to get into that more for sure.
Lovely post. Rev. Gyomay Kubose used to talk about pausing completely between tasks. Not even thinking. Then you can just keep going.
I'm not sure anyone can keep going indefinitely, but when I remember the pause is very powerful.
Thanks for reading and for your comment! That sounds like a powerful idea to pause completely between tasks. Something to work on!
I didn’t know about that one, but it makes sense—definitely probably related to ma-ai (rhythm-timing). If your rhythm is right, your spacing will be right.
Thanks for reading, Nick! Yes, I think these are all related, rhythm, timing, spacing, all very challenging to get right! 😅
Love your Aikido posts!
Thanks so much, Valencia!
I love this concept. I look forward to reading more of your thoughts on it, once you have gotten the rest you need in order to return to it with a fresh mind.
Your challenge with embracing the concept in daily life makes sense, considering how US culture encourages us to sprint constantly, and then chastise ourselves and ignore our own needs when we inevitably become exhausted. I remember long ago reading an article about a productivity study that was done, in which they found that people who worked 8 hours straight without a break were less productive in that 8 hours than were those who took a 1 hour lunch break, and only worked for 7 of the 8 hours. In spite of this knowledge our culture continues to value the appearance of productivity over both well-being and the quality of "life" and "productivity" that would be possible if we were more respectful of our own rhythms and needs.
Thanks for reading and for your comment, LC! I'm glad you brought up how this concept can be related to work and the unreasonable expectations of capitalist "productivity". I would like to get into that more for sure.
Thanks for your comment! I'm glad you find it interesting and I will try to write more about it in a follow up post!