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Cheryl Matrasko
James Loeser
Matthew O'Connor
Cheryl Matrasko
James Loeser
Matthew O'Connor
Editor
Editor
 
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AIKIDO
INSIGHTS
Using Aikido as an Effective Coping Mechanism
by James Loeser |
Page Four |
(Continued)
As we consider Bill’s case, we find that he will go through the typical coping
mechanism identified by Kübler-Ross. Bill will resist. He will tell his doctor to rerun
the test because surely there is some kind of mistake. As the doctor assures Bill of the
accuracy of the test and as Bill grasps the reality of the situation, he will become
angered. Bill will ask himself, "Why me?" He will tell himself that he
hasn’t does anything to deserve this form of punishment. Bill envisions dozens of
friends and coworkers that have worse behavior and less concern for their health than he
does. So, this disease should befall them, not him. Being in a highly perturbed state,
Bill will take action: he will change his diet, workout more, quit his job, start a
drinking binge or some other pleasureful or deleterious activity. He will expend energy
and occupy his thoughts with one or more activities in an attempt bury the reality of his
predicament. Upon depletion of physical and mental resources, Bill will appeal to a higher
power. He will bargain with god or with himself for a way out of his predicament. Upon
realizing that miracles form in the imagination of youth and are unwittingly maintained in
adulthood (and in Hollywood), Bill will move out of his self-delusion and discover the
erroneous nature of his thinking of an appeal to a higher power . At this point, he will
enter a state of depression. In a state of physical inactivity and emotional despair, Bill
will question his belief system and analyze his worldview, and in doing so, he will raze
definitions, justifications, and explanations of how he views himself. This is the most
dangerous stage for Bill, because this is the most debilitating stage and he may fall back
into denial and start the whole process again, or he will vacillate between depression and
denial or between depression and some other stage. However, the strongest personalities
who have spent a lifetime questioning their belief systems and who have devoted great
effort into developing a generous way of life, will spontaneously and effortlessly accept
their situation. These trained personalities will readily accept new events or
circumstances, such as learning of Huntington’s chorea, and move on with the positive
aspects of their lives. Aikido provides a framework in which
to train our mind and our body that constantly "reframes" our way of viewing the
world. As we meet an attack spontaneously and with no mental effort, we will meet the
challenges and vicissitudes of life with similar grace, using Aikido as an effective
coping mechanism. Even situations which would put great stress on the belief system of a
strong personality, such as losing a limb or losing a loved one, are accepted by the
trained Aikidoka as an opportunity for positive growth.
Are any of us going to contract Huntington’s chorea? Probably
not. Nevertheless, we will experience events and circumstances that challenge our
worldview. We should welcome the challenge with acceptance. Because in the end, we all
share the same fate. Living is like climbing a mountain to reach the moon. Since we can
never reach the moon, it doesn’t matter how high we go or how long it takes us to get
there, what matters is that we enjoy our climb.
© 1999, James Loeser. All rights
reserved
James
Loeser has
his M.S.from Northwestern University, in Biotechnology - Specializing in Medicinal
Chemistry /
Bioinformatics. He is a student of Aikido and a dental student at the University of
Illinois at Chicago.
james@aikido-world.com
All photos and literature used are copyrighted materials from their respective
owners and photographers. Permission in writing must be made for any duplication, display,
or reprint.
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AIKIDO PHOTOS
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 Michio
Hikitsuchi 10th Dan 1978
(C. Matrasko as uke)
© 1978 C. Matrasko
Submitted photos from all over the world.
Please note that the owners of photographs illutrated
here have their own respected copyrights. |
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No matter the federation affiliation articles
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© 2008, Aikido World, Inc. All rights reserved
A Not for Profit Corporation
Aikido World Journal (AWJ)
Aikido World Web Journal
Aikido World, Inc.
P.O. Box 56040
Chicago, IL. 60656-0040
1/4/2002 |
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