by Morihei Ueshiba: Morihei Ueshiba (1883-1969) was history’s greatest martial artist…
Even as an old man of eighty, Morihei could disarm any enemy, take down any number of attackers and pin an opponent with one finger. Although invincible as a warrior, Morihei was above all a man of peace who detested fighting, war and any kind of violence. His Way was Aikido which can be translated as “The Art Of Peace.”
“The world will continue to change dramatically but fighting and war can utterly destroy us. What we need now are techniques of harmony, not those of competition. The art of peace is required, not the art of war.”
The Art Of Peace
“The Art of Peace begins with you. Work on yourself and your appointed task in the Art of Peace.
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.
Everyone has a spirit that can be refined, a body that can be trained in some manner, a suitable path to follow.
One does not need buildings, money, power, or status to practice the Art of Peace. Heaven is right where you are standing, and that is the place to train.
All things, material and spiritual, originate from one Source and are related as if they were one family. The past, present, and future are all contained in the life force.
The Universe emerged and developed from one Source, and we evolved through the optimal process of unification and harmonization.
As soon as you concern yourself with the “good” and “bad” of your fellows, you create an opening in your heart for maliciousness to enter. Testing, competing with, and criticizing others weakens and defeats you.
Be grateful even for hardship, setbacks, and bad people. Dealing with such obstacles is an essential part of training in the Art of Peace.
If your opponent strikes with fire, counter with water, becoming completely fluid and free-flowing. Water, by its nature, never collides with or breaks against anything. On the contrary, it swallows up any attack harmlessly.
In our techniques we enter completely into, blend totally with, and control firmly an attack. Strength resides where one’s ki (life force) is concentrated and stable; confusion and maliciousness arise when ki stagnates.
In the Art of Peace we never attack. An attack is proof that one is out of control. Never run away from any kind of challenge, but do not try to suppress or control an opponent unnaturally.
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 Art of Peace is the principle of nonresistance. The Art of Peace is invincible because it contends with nothing.
Let attackers come any way they like and then blend with them. Never chase after opponents. Redirect each attack and get firmly behind it. Your spirit is the true shield.
The Art of Peace is medicine for a sick world. There is evil and disorder in the world because people have forgotten that all things emanate from one Source.
Return to that Source and leave behind all self-centered thoughts, petty desires, and anger. Those who are possessed by nothing possess everything.
Instructors can impart only a fraction of the teaching. It is through your own devoted practice that the mysteries of the Art of Peace are brought to life.”
