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A pure budo comes with the unification of technique, body and
heart. The budo, which will manifest itself, does not depend upon the technique,
but rather upon the heart of the practitioner.
The aim of Aikido is a kindness
of heart expressed through this spirit of budo.
Here are some thoughts on
the spirit of Aikido.
Aiki is love. | |
Budo is the path of the warrior.
Combined with the spirit of heaven and earth in your heart, you can fulfill your
life's destiny with unconditional love for everything.
Aiki seeks to skillfully
strike down the ego and inherent insincerity in battling an enemy. Aiki is the
path of forgiveness and enlightenment. The martial techniques provide discipline
for the journey of uniting the spirit and the body through channeling the laws
of heaven.
The goal of Aikido training is not perfection of a step or skill,
but rather improvingone's character according to the rules of nature. One becomes
"resilient" inside yet this strength is expressed softly. Movements
found in nature are efficient, rational, and soft,while the center is immovable,
firm, and stable. This principal of a firm center is universally consistent --
and must be true for each person. The culmination of Aikido is expressed by aligning
one's center with the center expressed throughout nature.
Aikido movement
maintains this firm and stable center with an emphasis on spherical rotation characterized
by flowing, circular, dance-like motions. These pivoting, entering and circling
motions are used to control and overcome the opponent. The principle of spherical
rotation makes it possible to defend one self from an opponent of superior size,
strength, and experience.
Although Aikido movements are soft, rational, and
smooth as in nature, by applying a bit of force,these can become devastatingly
effective. The gentle quality of Aikido makes it appealing to men and women and
children regardless ofﾊage.ﾊ It not only offers spiritual development but also
provides exercise and teaches proper etiquette and behavior.
At the heart
of Aikido is the Eastern concept ofﾊKi --the universal creative principle. Aikido
seeks to unite this universal Ki with the Ki (life force or breath) found within
each person. Literally, Aikido translates as "the way of harmony with Ki".
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