Aikido

Although aikido is a relatively recent innovation within the world of

martial arts, it is heir to a rich cultural and philosophical background.

Aikido was created in Japan by Morihei Ueshiba (1883-1969). Before

creating aikido, Ueshiba trained extensively in several varieties of

jujitsu, as well as sword and spear fighting. Ueshiba also immersed

himself in religious studies and developed an ideology devoted to

universal socio-political harmony. Incorporating these principles into

his martial art, Ueshiba developed many aspects of aikido in concert

with his philosophical and religious ideology.

Aikido is not primarily a system of combat, but rather a means of

self-cultivation and improvement. Aikido has no tournaments,

competitions, contests, or "sparring." Instead, all aikido techniques

are learned cooperatively at a pace commensurate with the abilities

of each trainee. According to the founder, the goal of aikido is not

the defeat of others, but the defeat of the negative characteristics

which inhabit one's own mind and inhibit its functioning.

At the same time, the potential of aikido as a means of self-defense

should not be ignored. One reason for the prohibition of competition

in aikido is that many aikido techniques would have to be excluded

because of their potential to cause serious injury. By training

cooperatively, even potentially lethal techniques can be practiced

without substantial risk.

It must be emphasized that there are no shortcuts to proficiency in

aikido (or in anything else, for that matter). Consequently, attaining

proficiency in aikido is simply a matter of sustained and dedicated

training. No one becomes an expert in just a few months or years.

(Taken from the Aikido Primer by Eric Sotnak)

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The movement of Aikido is the dynamic movement of the universal

energy forces. The power of Aikido is the power of a strong and

unified spirit, mind and body moving in harmony with everything

around it. Its origin is Budo. Its development is the result of two

thousand years of a cultural process of change and refinement, a

continuing martial contest of natural selection. It is an evolution

etched in blood.

The study of Budo and the development of Aikido was the life work

of Morihei Ueshiba, a figure of great renown who traveled the length

and breadth of Japan studying under the greatest masters of many

arts. Hard work, severe discipline and all the money he could earn

were poured into his mastery of the sword, the spear and the arts of

self-defense. Deeply interested in the study of spiritual thought, he

also practiced many different spiritual disciplines. Still, he was as yet

unable to unite his spiritual beliefs with his physical

accomplishments.

A short time after returning from military action in the Russo-

Japanese War, he retired to a small house located on a mountain

outside his village. There he lived and studied silently; his days spent

training his body and his nights spent deep in prayer. It was at the

end of this time of severe training that he had the realization he had

been seeking all of his life. At that moment, nature's process became

clear and he knew that the source of Budo is the spirit of protection

of all things.

"Budo is not felling the opponent by force; nor is it a tool to lead the

world into destruction by arms. True Budo is to accept the spirit of

the universe, keep the peace of the world, and correctly produce,

protect and cultivate all beings in nature."

Morihei Ueshiba intimately recognized and understood the harmony

and power of the creative process from which all things evolve. His

art was the sword; his creative way was Budo. His understanding

and enlightenment is creatively expressed by the protection of all life

through a powerful and graphic application of universal truth. Aikido

is creation, not destruction. It is a positive energy, which creates

harmony and justice out of violence.

To talk of harmony and justice is simple. To apply those principles to

the conflicts which we face every day, though, requires a deep

understanding and sincere trust. Logic may tell us that truth lies

within the process of harmony, but the moment something of value

rests on the outcome of a situation, we no longer trust that logic. The

beautiful ideas and eloquent phrases are forgotten under the

pressures of reality. In philosophy, a theory of truth is expressed in

words, but the truth of Aikido is expressed in action and the theory

proven in practice. By the physical application of its principles we

develop a deeper understanding in the heart instead of the mind.

Through practice and experience, we learn to trust its power.

Aikido training is to challenge yourself, not the other. You will develop

confidence by facing your fears, and negative fighting spirit will

become creative fighting spirit. The stress and pressure of serious

Aikido training brings this spirit to the surface, exposing it so that it

can be examined and refined in a controlled atmosphere of respect

and mutual study.

Discovering your physical limitations will cause you to reflect on the

deepest meanings of harmony and conflict, and to strive for a level

of consciousness above the selfish ego, closer to a universal

consciousness.

The physical movement of Aikido is the embodiment of the principles

of the spirit. Negative force is not met with conflict, but joined,

controlled and redirected through the power and balance of spiral

movement. This is the shape of Aikido and the dynamic shape at the

foundation of all the energies of existence. Aikido movement can

only be understood from its roots in universal law and the processes

of nature. Its sincere practice and study deepens our appreciation for

the perfection of nature's balance and brings us back into harmony

with our environment, with other people, and with ourselves.

This is the essence of Budo. It is not the art of fighting, of narrow

technique, but an art of personal refinement and of protecting the

quality of life. Aikido is first and always Budo. Without the heart of a

warrior and the deep desire to protect society, to protect all life,

Aikido becomes an empty dance. Budo is its spirit.

Aikido is not a sport. It is a discipline, an educational process for

training the mind, body and spirit. An Aikido dojo is not a

gymnasium. It is the place where the way of the discipline is

revealed. Physical technique is not the final objective, but a tool for

personal refinement and spiritual growth. The correct attitude of

respect, sincerity and modesty, and the proper atmosphere are

essential to the learning process. And as Aikido is a martial way, they

are essential to the safety of each individual. The customary rules are

necessary to the maintenance of this atmosphere and vital to your

study of Aikido.