O'Sensei's
Aikido Wisdom
--Aikido
is the realization of Love.
--If you think that ``martial art'' means
to have opponents and enemies and to be strong and defeat them, you are
mistaken. The true spirit of the martial arts is to be one with the
universe and have no enemies. The essence of the martial arts is the
spirit of loving
protection of all beings in the universe.
--Never defeated means never fighting.
This is not mere theory. You practice it. Then you will accept the great
power of Oneness with Nature.
--As the words for ``harmony'' and
``love'' can be pronounced ai, I decided to name my unique
budo (martial art) Aikido, although the word aiki
is an old one. The word which was used by the warriors in the past is
fundamentally different from that of mine.
--Aiki is not a technique to
fight or defeat an enemy. It is the way to reconcile the world and make
human beings one family.
--The secret of Aikido is to harmonize
ourselves with the movement of the universe and bring ourselves into
accord with the universe itself.
--Aikido is non-resistance. As it is
non-resistant, it is always victorious. Those who have a warped mind, a
mind of discord, have been defeated from the beginning.
--There is no conflict in love. A mind of
conflict, thinking of the existence of an enemy, is not consistent with
the spirit of the universe. Those who do not agree with this cannot be
in harmony with the universe.
--Don't look in the opponent's eyes, or
your mind will be drawn into his eyes. Don't look at his sword, or you
will be slain with his sword. Don't look at him, or your spirit will be
distracted. True budo is the cultivation of attraction with
which to draw the whole opponent to you.
--A mind to serve for the peace of all
human beings in the world is needed in Aikido, and not the mind of one
who wishes to be strong or who practices only to defeat an opponent.
--When anybody asks if my Aiki budo
principles are taken from religion, I say, ``No.'' My true budo
principles enlighten religions and lead them to completion.
--I am calm however and whenever I am
attacked. I have no attachment to life or death. I leave everything as
it is to the spirit of the universe. Be apart from attachment to life
and death and have a mind which leaves everything to that spirit, not
only when you are being attacked but also in your daily lives.
--The source of Bu is divine love. It is
the spirit of love and protection for all things. The training of Budo
is the forging in our minds and bodies the power of divine love, which
produces, protects, and nurtures all things in the Universe. The
techniques of budo are signposts pointing the way which leads to this.
--Aikido is love. You make this great
love of the universe your heart, and then you must make your own mission
the protection and love of all things. To accomplish this mission must
be the true budo.
--Even though our Path is completely
different from warrior arts of the past, it is not necessary to abandon
the old ways totally. Absorb venerable traditions in Aikido by clothing
them with fresh garments, and build on the classic styles to create
better forms.
--Our techniques employ four qualities
that reflect the nature of our world. Depending on the circumstance, you
should be: hard as a diamond, flexible as a willow, smooth-flowing like
water, or as empty as space.
--The body should be triangular, the mind
circular. The triangular 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 for applied control.
--A good stance and posture reflect a
proper state of mind. The key to good technique is to keep your hands,
feet, and hips straight and centered. If you are centered, you can move
freely. The physical center is your belly; if your mind is set there as
well, you are assured of victory in any endeavor.
--Do not stare into the eyes of your
opponent: he may mesmerize you. Do not fix your gaze on his sword: he
may intimidate you. Do not focus on your opponent at all: he may absorb
your energy. The essence of technique is to bring your opponent
completely into your sphere. Then you can stand just where you like, in
a safe and unassailable position.
--When an opponent comes forward, move in
and greet him; if he wants to pull back, send him on his way.
--Aikido technique is structured on
circular movement, for harmony is brought about and all conflict
resolved through the spirit of the circle. The response of the body,
mind and spirit to the principle of the circle is vital to the creation
of technique. A circle encloses space, and it is from the perfect
freedom of this emptiness that ki is born. From the center of
this birthplace, the creative processes of life are joined with the
infinite, immeasurable universe by the spirit. The spirit is the
Creator, the eternal parent giving birth to all things.
--The Budo of Aikido springs from the
mastery of the spirit of the circle. The essence if this Budo is to
embrace the complementary action of cause and effect and to draw into
yourself all things as if they were held within the palm of your hand.
You have a spirit, therefore you must realize that each person has a
spirit. When the life processes are connected with the spirit and the
fundamental principle of the circle is given birth in Aiki, all things
are led to completion through the circle. All things are freely created
by the circle. The secret of the circle is to create technique by
piercing the very center of space.
