In this episode I am joined by Paul Linden​ PhD, who has practiced and taught Aikido for 50 years and out of that has developed body-based ways of teaching power and compassion. He has applied this in peace-making, conflicts between ethnic groups, and with victims of severe trauma.

He summarises his work: Power without love is brutality. Love without power is ineffective.

We learn about Paul’s early days in the martial arts, and how a lack of coordination forced him to completely re-engineer his physical learning process.

We discuss Paul’s precise use of language, his love of operational definitions, and the remarkable insights he has gained living with Parkinson’s for 17 years.

Paul discusses his work in Germany and comments on multi generational trauma in both descendants of holocaust survivors and of German war criminals, and leads a series of live exercises to unlock personal power.

Paul also gives his advice on the protests and riots occurring the America, including how to act effectively and what he would do if he was in President Trump’s shoes.

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Video version: https://www.guruviking.com/ep53-paul-linden-phd-aikido-power-and-generational-trauma/

Audio version of this podcast also available on iTunes and Stitcher – search ‘Guru Viking Podcast’.

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Topics include:

0:00 - Intro

0:58 - Paul’s unusual childhood

2:15 - First encounter with Aikido and insights about physical education

5:21 - Paul’s childhood reading and 60s counter culture

10:10 - What is Aikido? Paul demonstrates.

16:05 - Paul’s journey from angry young man to a kinder person

20:56 - Paul demonstrates moving with Parkinson’s Disease

23:04 - Early symptoms and initial Parkinson’s diagnosis

24:45 - Secrets to working with negative emotions

27:34 - Paul teaches Steve power, compassion, and stability

31:31 - Enforcing a personal boundary with love

33:37 - Paul’s unique work with victims of severe abuse

42:22 - Dealing with complex and early trauma such as childhood abuse

46:53 - The ‘Noun-ish Fallacy’

49:26 - Multi-generational trauma in descendants of holocaust victims and prison guards

51:29 - Paul comments on the American protests and riots of June 2020

52:09 - How to act effectively and what Paul would do if he was in President Trump’s shoe

1:00:18 - ‘Love without power is ineffective, power without love is brutality’ - unlocking personal power

1:04:16 - Power, love, and operational definitions

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To find out more about Paul, visit:

- https://www.being-in-movement.com/

For more interviews, videos, and more visit:

- www.guruviking.com

Music ‘Deva Dasi’ by Steve James