What Martial Arts Tell us About Dynamic Governance

The more I read and explore, the more I notice how very distinct walks of life converge towards the same conclusion: the circle is a powerful setting. Musk Ox use it to defend their youngsters. American settlers used the exact same technique to protect their families during the western colonization of the 19th century.

I have practiced Aikido for about five years, and it struck me that the circle was a fundamental principle with the art. Here is an excerpt from Seidokan Aikido World Headquarters:
Principle of Circular Motion
The spiritual circle is the foundation of all Aikido techniques. Circular movement synthesizes everything and can freely resolve all problems. [...] The centripetal force will draw the opponent into your range of effectiveness so that the centrifugal force can eject him effectively. All circular motions are preceded by a spiritual circle. The spiritual circle is the circle drawn within one's mind before the execution of the physical circle". Of course, what is referred to as "opponent" in Aikido can be viewed as "issues" to be resolved or "problems" that need to be worked on in a different setting.

Native People are also well-known for using the circle as a place of wisdom. Meetings and decisions were often made as a circle. I love this painting from Yukon artist Nathalie Parenteau (to see more or to purchase some of her art, click on the picture).

Popular expressions also convey the importance of circles, such as "to be kept in the loop", inferring that the circle is where the power lays. On a symbolic side, the icon representing females and the planet Venus has been "worshipped by all peoples and cultures of antiquity as the divinity of fertility, the goddess of war, beauty, and love" (click on image for reference source).

Dynamic Governance is a structure that uses the circle as a place where important decisions are made. Discussions are conducted as a circle, and "naturally occurring" groups within organizations each form an operational circle. Comments I often hear from various members of the circles I work with at Yukon College are related to the feelings of safety that arise from such a way of working together. Feedback also regularly mentions the effectiveness of the structure. Personally, I feel powerful within that structure, because I feel like I can make a difference with my peers and colleagues. The circle gives us a space to share ideas and gather the wisdom of the others. As the saying goes, "Two heads are better than one"!