It's been quiet on the list for sometime now so I'd like to spark a
discussion. I was wondering what people found the most difficult about
aikido. Not which technique etc, but which principle. On the mat I often
utter the phrase "ohhhhh, you wanted me to move my ONE-point......" after
three years you think I'd have gotten the gist of that little piece of
information. But the principle I have the most difficulty with is the
principle of non-attachment.

After some experience with other fighting styles, I'm not particularly
attached to the attack, I don't watch the hand or anything like that. But
I'm quite attached to technique. If I've decided to go for nikkyo, then
nikkyo it is, regardless of whether the nikkyo is actually working. This
point was demonstrated to me last week, Danny and I were play fighting in
the kitchen and I was in position for nikkyo, but Danny was extending too
well and I couldn't get the thing on. Finally after half a minute I had a
realisation, Danny has two arms!!!! I took the other and put him down with
a beautiful koytoroshi. A little too beautiful because as I stood there
admiring my work for a tad too long Danny had reversed out of it and I was
now in a rather effective sankyo. End of round one :)

Ever the sucker for punishment I began round two. I don't remember it quite
as well as round one but it ended up with me doing yet another ineffective
technique due to Danny's extension. This is when (once again after a
lengthy period of time) my second realisation came to me. If Danny had two
arms then it's quite possible that I too have two arms!!! A little poke
with my other arm was just enough to take his mind and down he went. End of
round two; score - a draw :)

Anybody else want to mention their difficulties???

Charlie