Archive

January 2021

Browsing

At his dojo, George Leonard would sometimes have his students practice a certain aikido technique.  Then, he would have them meditate for a few minutes.  Next, he would have them repeat the same technique as part of their meditation.  

The difference between the technique done before the meditation and after the meditation was readily apparent: the students movements were more natural, more flowing, less forced.

This week, we are looking … continue reading

“How strange it is that such a simple act – sitting motionless, calming the mind, and letting the heart turn toward realms beyond the ordinary – can have such transforming effects,” writes George Leonard in The Way of Aikido.  

This week we are looking at some of the key learnings from George’s book which apply to our lives beyond the aikido mat.  Today, we revisit the practice and powercontinue reading

One week ago, rioters violently stormed the US Capitol in an effort to disrupt the process of democracy at work.  This week I shared with our associates at PCI a video of Senator Ben Sasse’s remarks following the violence during which five people died, including a Capitol Hill police officer.

Senator Sasse stated:  “That’s not who we are…  America is a union. There’s a lot that’s broken in this country … continue reading

During World War II as a fighter pilot in the southwest Pacific theater in the Philippines, George Leonard flew 21 low-to-the-ground strafing missions in 28 days.  Two of his 18 squadron mates were killed.  

To survive and prevail under such conditions required full attention for many hours at a time as the missions lasted upward of five hours.  “Still, there was something deeply satisfying in simply being so fully engaged,” … continue reading

George Leonard couldn’t believe it.

His agent was on the phone.  The publisher of his next book was turning it down.  Worse, they were demanding the immediate return of the money George had already been advanced.  All of which he already spent.

Two months earlier after reading the first installment of the book, George’s new editor had taken him to lunch and said, “It’s the most alive book I’ve read.  … continue reading