Aiki is not a technique to fight with or defeat an enemy. It is the way to reconcile the world and make human beings one family.
Interpretation
Aiki emphasizes harmony and unity over conflict and competition.
Morihei Ueshiba's quote about Aiki reflects a deep philosophical understanding that true mastery is not about defeating one's adversaries but rather about fostering harmony and unity among all people. It suggests that through Aiki, individuals can learn to reconcile differences and treat each other as part of a larger human family, promoting peace and understanding rather than conflict.
In practice
This quote can be used in a speech promoting peace and conflict resolution.
PRACTICE OF THE Art of Peace is an act of faith, a belief in the ultimate power of nonviolence. It is faith in the power of purification and faith in the power of life itself. It is not a type of rigid discipline or empty asceticism. It is a path that follows natural principles, principles, that must be applied to daily living. The Art of Peace should be practiced from the time you rise to greet the morning to the time you retire at night.
Study the teachings of the pine tree, the bamboo, and the plum blossom. The pine is evergreen, firmly rooted, and venerable. The bamboo is strong, resilient, unbreakable. The plum blossom is hardy, fragrant, and elegant.
EACH DAY OF HUMAN life contains joy and anger, pain and pleasure, darkness and light, growth and decay. Each moment is etched with nature’s grand design-do not try to deny or oppose the cosmic order of things.
Foster and polish the warrior spirit while serving in the world; illuminate the path according to your inner light.
THE BODY SHOULD be triangular, the mind circular. The triangle represents the generation of energy and is the most stable physical posture. The circle symbolizes serenity and perfection, the source of unlimited techniques. The square stands for solidity, the basis of applied control.
Aikido is the spirit of loving protection for all beings.
Longing is a compass that guides us through life. We may never get what we really want, that's true, but every step along the way will be determined by it.
So let me tell you what I think about gods. I think a real god is not going to be so scared or angry that he tries to keep other people down…A real god doesn’t care about control. A real god already has control of everything that needs controlling. Real gods would want to teach you how to be just like them.
With regard to the learned professions, little need be observed; they truly form no distinct interest in society . . . [discussing the landed, merchant, and learned classes in legislative assembly]. Will not the man of the learned profession, who will feel a neutrality to the rivalships between the different branches of industry, be likely to prove an impartial arbiter between them, ready to promote either, so far as it shall appear to him conducive to the general interests of society?
If someone tells you he is going to make a 'realistic decision', you immediately understand that he has resolved to do something bad.
Truth is a pain which will not stop. And the truth of this world is to die. You must choose: either dying or lying. Personally, I have never been able to kill myself
The outcome of the war is in our hands; the outcome of words is in the council.
Subscribe for the occasional hand-picked quote. No noise.