The contradictions of the martial arts as well as the dissociation s of most spiritual traditions are resolved in Aikido. Aikido techniques transcend the notions of fighting and enemies. And by showing us the naturalness of love, Aikido practice washes away fear and stress and restores our inherent joy and peace. Many people confuse fighting arts with self defense. And many more confuse self defense with Aikido.
Most people believe that fighting is the only way to stay safe.
Fighting arts describe the methods used by one fighter against another fighter. This is very similar to military arts. Self defense refers to the way a person protects him or herself from attacks. Fighting arts and military arts are based on having enemies and trying to defeat them. Self defense arts are based on responding to attacks.