Saito Sensei explains the most basic technical and philosophical element of aikido. “Awase” is blending with the intention of an attack. In other versions of this same explanation (Lost Seminars) Saito Sensei explains that aikido does not attempt to change the intent; the attacker is trying to grab, allow the grab and blend with it. O’sensei said this about the “voice of Aikido:”
“It is not for correcting others, it is for correcting your own mind”
Taken from It’s a Lot Like Dancing: An Aikido Journey
(Dobson et. al 93)
