The Art of Peace
Morihei Ueshiba,
founder of Aikido,
is referred to
as Sensei,
"The Great Teacher".
The following quotations
have been compiled
from his
talks, poems and
from the oral tradition.
You are here
for no other purpose than
to realize your
inner divinity
and manifest
your innate enlightenment.
Foster peace
in your own life
and then apply
the Art
to all that
you encounter.
The Art of Peace
is invincible because it contends with nothing.
~
A true warrior
is invincible
because he contests
with nothing,
Because he is nonresistant
he is victorious
from the beginning.
Those with evil
intentions
or contentious
thoughts
are instantly vanquished.
~
Defeat means
to defeat
the mind of contention
that we harbor within.
An attack is proof
that one is out of control.
~
The Way of
a Warrior,
is to stop an attack
before it starts.
Defeat your adversaries
spiritually
by making them
realize the folly of their actions.
~
Vanquish your
foes
by always keeping
yourself
in a safe and unassailable
position;
then no one will
suffer any losses.
Never sacrifice
a single one
of your warriors.
~
Do not stare
into the eyes of
your opponent:
he will mesmerize
you.
Do not fix
your gaze on his
sword:
he will intimidate
you.
Do not focus
on your opponent
at all:
he will absorb
all of your energy.
Focus only on action.
~
Even the most
powerful being
has a limited sphere
of strength.
Drawn outside of
that sphere
and into your own
and his strength
will dissipate.
~
Never run away
from any kind of challenge,
Let attackers come
the way they like
Enter deeply into
the attack
and neutralize
it
by drawing the
misdirected force
into your own sphere.
~
Never chase
after opponents.
Redirect each attack
then get firmly
behind it.
The Great Path is
really No Path at all.
~
Cast off limiting
thoughts.
Return to true
emptiness.
Stand in the midst
of the Great Void.
The emptiness of
failure
is the key to success;
Each mistake teaches
something.
~
Ultimately,
you must forget
about technique
Technique must
constantly adapt.
Every encounter
is unique
and the appropriate
response
should emerge from
the moment.
~
Today's techniques
will be useless
tommorrow.
Do not get caught
up
with the static
form and appearance.
There is no form
only spirit.
A good stance and
posture reflects a proper state of mind.
~
The key to
good technique
is to keep straight
and centered.
If you are centered,
you can move freely.
Center your mind
and body
and you are assured
of victory
in any endeavor.
~
Functioning
harmoniously together,
right and left
give birth to all techniques.
The left hand takes
hold of life and death;
the right hand
controls it.
Energy flows in
from the left
and leaves from
the right;
yin to yang.
Grow or die!
~
All the priciples
of heaven and earth
are living inside
you.
Now and again,
it is necessary
to seclude yourself
among deep mountains
or by the sea.
Restore your link
to the source of life.
Breathe in the
vibrancy of the earth.
Blend the breath
of earth with your own.
Sense the ebb and
flow of the tide.
When waves come
to strike the shore,
they crest and
fall creating a sound.
Your breath should
follow the same pattern,
absorbing the entire
universe
with each inhalation.
~
Study how water
flows in a valley stream,
smoothly and freely
between the rocks.
Everything, mountains,
rivers, plants and trees,
should be your
teacher.
~
Peace originates
with the flow of things,
like the movement
of the wind and waves.
If you are seperated
in the slightest
from that divine
essence you are far off the path.
~
Each day life
contains
joy and anger,
pain and pleasure,
darkness and light,
growth and decay.
Do not try to deny
or oppose
the cosmic order
of things.
The Path is exceedingly
vast.
~
From ancient
times to the present day,
even the greatest
sages were unable
to perceive and
comprehend the entire truth;
the explanation
and teachings of masters and saints
express only part
of the whole.
It is not possible
for anyone to speak of such things
in their entirety.
~
Just head for
the light,
and through the
virtue
of devoted practice
of the Art of Peace.
Become one with
the Divine.
End