Defense against bullying by stronger, larger persons does not have to come about by finding some kind of physical advantage. This aikido student with fewer than six months of training is able to overcome my superior physical advantage over him by extending an energetic flow in my direction. This flow arises from his intention that I benefit from our interaction. At one point in the video (3:20) I ask Jinno what he has for me, his answer is "a shiny bauble." In imagining himself giving his assailant, me, something that will please him (the beneficent intention), that expression of what Buddhists might call "loving kindness" produces a flood of connective energy that supports me while my attack is fully expressed. My intention to control him, which never abates, leads my center right to the ground with Jinno's support never triggering my defense mechanisms.

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