Aiki Flow: The first 3 Character Traits for Personal Development

Bookshelves are full of countless books claiming to be the most comprehensive instructional manuals for facilitating Personal Development. Do I now suggest that where all others have failed, AikiFlow has succeeded? In a nutshell, “no”.

Meaningful change is far from easily achieved, and there is no one solution that fits all. Human nature and behavior often work on the logic of: “Since you are still around, what you have been doing until now must be a good enough strategy to keep doing”. Human nature prefers the status quo, for better or worse, making true, meaningful change difficult.

However, let me suggest a different approach to human behavior. Human behavior is continually being molded and changing; every decision you make alters your behavior. For example, in a situation where you have two options for responding—one honest and the other dishonest—if you act dishonestly, your overall behavior shifts toward dishonesty. Likewise, if you choose the honest response, your overall behavior moves toward being more honest.

If this were the whole story, why is real change so difficult to achieve? The answer lies in the issue of momentum. For example, if you make three dishonest choices or even just one, it creates momentum so that you continue making dishonest choices. Therefore, the next time you have a choice between being honest or dishonest, because the momentum already exists, it is more likely you will choose to be dishonest.

Furthermore, the momentum created by three dishonest decisions cannot be countered simply by three choices to be honest. To counter that momentum and create momentum in the opposite direction will require five, ten, or more choices to be honest. Now that we have a better working picture of the problem, we can ask: what tools are available to help us change our behavior?

Let’s look at two character development models that have stood the test of time. They both outline a program for character development. The first is a treatise by Takuan Soho, a Japanese Zen monk and poet (circa 1573), titled The Mysterious Record of Immovable Wisdom. The second is by Moshe Chaim Luzzatto, a Kabbalist (1707–1746), whose monumental work mapping out spiritual development is titled The Path of the Just.

Takuan describes the ideal mind as being the mind that is not detained or “stopped” in any way. As a beginner is ignorant about body posture or the positioning of a sword, his mind does not “stop” anywhere within him. However, as he is taught diverse ways to take a stance or grasp his sword, his mind begins to “stop” in many places. Later, as days pass and practice accumulates, neither the postures of his body nor the ways of grasping the sword are weighed in his mind; his mind returns to the state it was in the beginning, when he knew nothing at all, but now he has attained the ideal mind.

Takuan continues with examples of how to achieve this ideal unstopping mind, beginning with the “Action of Spark and Stone“. No sooner have you struck the stone than the light appears; because the light appears just as you strike the stone, there is neither interval nor interstice. This signifies the absence of the interval that would “stop” the mind. This characteristic of immediate response when action is required is a foundational trait that is also found in The Path of the Just.

Luzzatto defines his goal in his introduction: “There are few, however, who devote thought and study to perfection of Divine service—to love, fear, communion and all other aspects of saintliness”. While Luzzatto’s ultimate goal is different from Takuan’s, their processes to achieve these goals are very similar. Luzzatto, a systematic thinker, clearly lists the stages necessary for proper character developement: Torah (study) leads to Watchfulness, which leads to Zeal, which leads to Cleanliness, which leads to Separation which leads to Purity and so on.

In Luzzatto’s system, change is a linear progression where each stage is built on the preceding one. Initially, there may be no awareness of the need for change; then, through study, that need for change is realized. This begins the stage of Watchfulness: paying attention to the present moment, recognizing what actions need change, and identifying what must be avoided.

Following immediately on the heels of awareness is Zeal, or action. Zeal is not simply acting, but emphasizes immediate action. This is the key to cementing change and progressing to the next stage: Cleanliness. Cleanliness in this context refers to paying attention to the quality of the action undertaken, ensuring it is performed with the highest integrity and correctness.

Takuan, being a poet first, does not follow Luzzatto’s systematic approach in his writing. However, if we look carefully, we can see the same foundational character traits for real change. Takuan starts with the beginner who is unaware of the need for change; but as the student studies and becomes aware of his deficiencies, he is “extraordinarily discomforted”. This corresponds to Luzzatto’s Watchfulness. Takuan then explains how the student trains with correct techniques to start his journey toward change.

Takuan’s first description of his process is the “Action of the Spark and the Stone”—where the light appears the instant the stone is struck—signifies an absence of the interval that would “stop” the mind. This is perfectly aligns with Luzzatto’s Zeal. This immediate, decisive action becomes the foundation upon which all future progress is built.

Ultimately, change is not a singular event but a continuous process of overcoming existing momentum. By cultivating Watchfulness—the keen awareness of our current state—and Zeal—the immediate, spark-like action required to shift our direction—we lay the groundwork for Cleanliness, where our actions must be further defined by integrity rather than habit. Whether viewed through the lens of a Zen monk or a Kabbalist’s the path to character transformation begins fisrtly with the recognition that every choice we make either feeds our old momentum or strikes the spark for a new way of being. Secondly that every actions either reinforce change or perpetuate old habits. Finally with continuous positive actions true change can be achieved.