Confrontations daunt me. Disagreeing with the more knowledgeable in the vertically hierarchical environment I grew up in was punished. The Aikido moves we learnt in class has caused me to reflect on my discussion style. Despite my tendency to consider the perspectives of my attackers, I am yet to develop the level-headedness to stand my grounds, causing them to succumb, instead of resigning in the face of their aggression.
Yes, this quality of standing one’s ground just by being more deeply who one is rather than as an act of opposition is a lifelong exploration. When we are not in opposition, we can move even as we ‘stay grounded’….