The Spiritual Foundations of Aikido (edit title)

Shelfari edited the description of The Spiritual Foundations of Aikido Friday, August 14 2009.

• Morihei Ueshiba, who founded Aikido early in this century, intended that his martial art would give form to profound spiritual truth, and lead to a unification of the world's peoples. He saw Aikido not as a fighting method or as a competitive sport but rather as a means of becoming one with the laws of universal order-- ki , or life energy. Unfortunately, the subtleties of Ueshiba's teachings, veiled in the esoteric terminology of Shinto, can be puzzling for even the most advanced practitioners. They are not passed down today, and have never been introduced to the West. Gleason, a fifth-degree (Godan) black belt in Aikido, recognizing the importance of the spiritual aspects of the discipline, researched its roots in Shinto, and in this book is able to offer a clear explanation of Ueshiba's teachings. •  Unlike the common "how-to" manuals on basic technique, this is the first book to introduce the underlying spiritual principles of Aikido--the elusive concept of kototama (word souls), expressed as one spirit, four souls, three origins, and eight powers--and how they relate to the forms. •  Teaches the student how to use Aikido to accomplish spiritual goals. •  Reveals little-known teachings of Shinto and Aikido, relating them to Buddhism, Christianity, and other spiritual teachings.

Shelfari edited the contributors of The Spiritual Foundations of Aikido Friday, August 14 2009.

• Added a contributor: William Gleason: (Primary Author)

Shelfari edited the first sentence of The Spiritual Foundations of Aikido Friday, July 17 2009.

• INTEREST IN THE MARTIAL ARTS IN THE WEST has been increasing in the last decade, yet many people still do not understand that there is a major difference between the martial arts, as they are commonly practiced and portrayed, and budo, the martial way.