This note explores the concept of ki, or energy. It concentrates on aikido, a Japanese martial art that channels the human body's natural energy toward balance, health, grounding, and the mental clarity required to overcome obstacles and discover new insights. Aikido is a defensively oriented martial art, designed to utilize the ki of the attack in a manner that turns that energy to the detriment of the attacker. The note discusses the six principles of aikido and applies them to business situations. It brings new perspectives on challenges and opportunities faced by businesses ranging from Dollar General to Standard and Poor's to Rodale Press, and generates insights about strategy, including purpose, mission, culture, mergers, and competition.

The purpose of this note is threefold. First to provide a short historical background to the development of the notions of universal mind and related concepts in Aikido and Ki Aikido. Second, to provide an even briefer critique of certain efforts to apply ideas from Aikido and Ki Aikido to issues concerning everyday life, management, and leadership. And finally, to examine a set of critical concepts, or principles, which aim to provide a more practical, real-world understanding of universal mind.