In the Sacred Geometry of His Universe: Profound Journey Through Aikido's Spiritual Landscape

The mat breathed beneath my feet, a living canvas of spiritual transformation. Years ago, when I first stepped into the Aikido studio, I could not have comprehended the profound lessons that would unfold - lessons far beyond the physical movements of this ancient martial art, lessons that would reshape my entire understanding of existence.

My instructor moved like a river of consciousness, each motion a prayer, each breath a meditation. The scripture from Proverbs 3:13-14 echoed in my spirit: "Blessed are those who find wisdom, those who gain understanding, for she is more profitable than silver and yields better returns than gold." In Aikido, I discovered a wisdom that transcended physical technique - a divine technology of movement, of energy, of spiritual alignment that would become the cornerstone of my understanding of His Universe.

The fundamental principle was not about defeating an opponent, but about harmonizing with the energy around you. "You do not fight the force," my instructor would say, his eyes holding that particular luminescence of one who sees beyond the surface of human experience. "You become the force." These words were not mere instruction, but a profound spiritual koan, a gateway to understanding the interconnectedness of all existence.

Each fall was a lesson in surrender. Each movement a dance with the Divine, a conversation with the cosmic energy that moves through all things. My body learned what my mind could not yet comprehend - that true strength lies not in resistance, but in flow. In the ability to receive, to redirect, to transform. The mat became a microcosm of life itself, a sacred space where physical practice dissolved into spiritual revelation.

The martial art became a metaphor for spiritual existence. Just as in Aikido we learn to blend with an incoming attack, so too in life we must learn to move with the currents of His Universe, rather than against them. The invisible principles of energy became my greatest teachers - the understanding that conflict is not something to be conquered, but to be understood and redirected.

My instructor would often speak of the invisible threads connecting all beings. "Feel the energy," he would say, "not just with your hands, but with your entire being." It was a lesson in presence, in awareness, in the profound interconnectedness of all things. Each moment on the mat was a meditation, each breath a prayer, each movement a conversation with the cosmic intelligence that moves through all of creation.

The Divine speaks not in thunderous proclamations, but in the subtle movements of energy. In the gentle redirect of force, in the moment of balance between action and non-action. Aikido taught me that spiritual growth is not about conquering, but about understanding. Not about forcing, but about flowing.

Lessons and Takeaways from My Aikido Journey:

1. Harmony Over Conflict

- True strength lies in understanding, not in confrontation

- Learn to redirect energy rather than resist it

- Approach challenges with a mindset of integration, not opposition

2. Presence and Awareness

- Cultivate a full-body awareness

- Listen with more than your ears - feel with your entire being

- Recognize the energy flowing through and around you

3. Spiritual Principles of Movement

- Every action is a conversation with the universe

- Surrender does not mean weakness, but profound understanding

- Balance is found in the space between action and non-action

4. Interconnectedness

- We are not separate from the energy around us

- Every movement affects the entire system

- Recognize your role in the larger cosmic dance

5. Continuous Learning

- Approach life as a practice, not a destination

- Remain humble and open to new understandings

- See every challenge as an opportunity for growth

Years have passed, but the lessons remain etched in my spirit. Each time I remember those moments on the mat, I am reminded of the cosmic dance we are all participating in. A dance of energy, of consciousness, of infinite possibility.

We are, after all, vital tributaries flowing into the river of collective consciousness. Each movement, each breath, each moment of genuine connection reshaping the very fabric of our shared existence.

The journey continues, always expanding, always awakening, always remembering our fundamental interconnectedness with His Universe.

Mitchell Royel