Kleppin & Associates

02/04/2026

01/21/2026

01/21/2026

01/18/2026

Shoshin (初心) — Beginner’s Mind

Shoshin refers to maintaining an unconditioned mental state during practice. Technically, it means observing each movement without preconception, allowing correct timing, distance (ma-ai), and alignment to be perceived accurately. In Aikido, Shoshin prevents rigid patterns and mechanical repetition. By suspending assumptions, the practitioner can adapt posture, balance, and connection according to the partner’s action. This mindset supports continuous technical refinement, even at advanced levels. Shoshin is not lack of experience, but the ability to reset perception, ensuring techniques remain functional, responsive, and consistent with principle rather than habit.

#守破離 #武道 #武道家 #道場 #師範 #先生 #学び #武道コミュニティ #武術 #武術トレーニング #武道家 #合気道家 #合気道 #道場スクロール #漢字 #座禅 #禅の概念

01/18/2026

Good night

01/17/2026

Science reveals that humans are only born with two natural fears — meaning everything else you’re afraid of was learned along the way.

While it may feel like we are hardwired to fear spiders, the dark, or even public speaking, human biology actually starts with a much shorter list. Research indicates that we are born with only two innate fears: the fear of falling and the fear of loud noises. These primal responses, such as the startle reflex in newborns and the hesitation seen in the famous 1960 'visual cliff' experiment, are essential survival mechanisms designed to protect us from immediate physical danger. This suggests that during our earliest days, the world is far less threatening than our adult anxieties might lead us to believe.

The vast majority of our phobias are conditioned through experience, culture, and observation. In the classic 'Little Albert' experiment, psychologists demonstrated how easily a neutral object can become a source of terror when paired with a frightening stimulus. This means that our dread of heights, snakes, or social rejection is not an unchangeable part of our DNA, but a reflection of our upbringing and environment. Understanding that most fears are acquired offers a powerful perspective on personal growth: if a fear can be learned, it can also be unlearned, providing a path toward overcoming the anxieties that hold us back.

source: Gibson, E. J., & Walk, R. D.. The 'Visual Cliff.' Scientific American.

01/13/2026

WOW

01/12/2026

01/09/2026

Yes

01/07/2026

YES!

01/07/2026

We all need our Higher Power