How cunning are you?
In business, as in life, we generally recognize those whom we classify as “crafty” for their insight and insight.
The wise elders of the past became very observant, extremely intuitive, and immensely cunning.
Often it was as if they could predict a chain of events through some extraordinary power with which they had been blessed and, as a consequence, nurture incontestable wisdom.
So where did this mastery come from …?
Many led humble lives and dedicated their lives to helping those in distress.
His observations came from studying life … his cunning came from understanding the interconnected patterns of human existence.
Can this mastery be achieved in today’s world …?
Of course you can … but there is a toll …
If we are prepared to undertake the same dedication to the study and observation of life that the sages of the past did, then surely we can become as cunning as they … and consequently leave a legacy to help make the world a better place. .
And by default it shapes a better life for us … without needing to become an impoverished hermit.
Two of those ideologies studied by the ancient sages are Aiki and Zen …
These two magnificent philosophies bring together the wisdom of the past to help us manage our personal and business lives today in the 21st century …
They are often considered separate entities, but, like all things, they are interrelated.
When combined, they provide us with an extraordinary mechanism to become very astute in both business and life.
Zen philosophy favors understanding over knowledge … and leads us to behave in an exemplary way, especially in relation to the way we treat others.
Aiki … is a martial art term that means … harmonizing energy … it applies not only on a physical level, but it teaches us the concepts of distance without being distant … strong posture … and deflecting and control whatever negative intention is directed at you.
Zen teaches us to develop three attributes … so that we become better people …
- Clarity … not believe in anything until you have found the truth for yourself … distinguish between the good and the bad, accept the good.
- Humanity … understanding that good people and bad people are different … and that each has their own unhappiness … and their own joy …
- Courage… We appreciate that we learn fear … and that we must discover the courage to unlearn fear …
Aiki helps us understand three positions … that help us deal with those people and situations that would do us some kind of harm … they are …
- Mental posture …
- Physical posture …
- Spiritual posture … (it is not a religious thing, your spirit means above all your innermost intention and essence).
Aiki gives us the perception of facing a situation, with the intention of not competing to win, but with control of the three positions to ensure that you do not lose.
Zen gives us a code of honor against which to measure ourselves and others.
Aiki gives us a strategy to deal with whatever life throws at us, maintaining a strong posture through the three postures of mind, body and spirit.
The reality is …
Everyone wants the same thing … to be happy and content … but smart enough to know that it is morally and practically unwise to pursue only our own happiness.
For many people, the pressures of life rob them of the opportunity to be content.
Aiki combined with Zen gives us the wisdom to create a happy life regardless of our circumstances.
In today’s world, we are not used to waiting, we want and expect things to happen quickly and easily, we have knowledge and skill to some extent, but we often lack wisdom and understanding.
Aiki and Zen are two friends who walk by our side throughout our lives, gradually helping us to understand our situation and learning how to become better people by living a better life.
“If we simply let life unfold, allowing Aiki and Zen to help us observe what is really happening so that we don’t end up chasing impossible rainbows, everything we deserve will eventually come to us”
“we are all protected by our own spirit, essence and good intentions”
It is at this point that we can strive to be crafty.
Using modern psychology, astute people can discern the following four states that all humans are prone to …
- Unconscious incompetence
- Conscious incompetence
- Unconscious competence
- Conscious competition
Unfortunately, many people delude themselves that they are competent when they are incompetent.
Look around you and you will see many, many incompetent unconscious people.
They continually practice bad habits and eventually become very good at being incompetent.
“experience does not always equate to ability”
Many people in business and politics reach a level of incompetence because they are promoted above their competition.
As a consequence, there are many examples of an unconscious incompetent naming another unconscious incompetent.
Aiki and Zen give us the clarity to see our own shortcomings, the humanity to help those who need help, and the courage to do what needs to be done …
Finally, many people deceive themselves and others into believing that they are more competent than they really are … when you are smart enough to understand yourself with the truth, you will really be smart enough to understand others. …
Fortunately, many people have good intentions, are skilled, and bring a quality to their own life and that of others.
However, sometimes we get so close to negative people and situations that we lose our posture, get confused, and become distressed.
We may not be able to be happy all the time … but we can accept all situations that come our way and consequently be happy.
Aiki and Zen allow us to be more cunning, by being able to keep our distance without being distant, see the truth of a situation and prevent bad things from happening before they happen … Chris
“When we practice a martial art or any other skill, we learn technique … however, if we only learn technique and forget the principles of Zen and Aiki … we will become, only technical … and lose the opportunity to become more cunning. “