The Art of Peace

Morihei Ueshiba, the father of aikido, died on April 26, 1969. He was 86 years old. During Thursday's class, on the anniversary of his passing, we did something a little bit different. Sensei Michael would demonstrate a technique, then, before bowing to our partners and beginning training, we would listen to one of O'Sensei's sayings.

Here are two that stuck with me:

"The Art of Peace begins with you. Work on yourself and your appointed task in the Art of Peace. Everyone has a spirit that can be refined, a body that can be trained in some manner, a suitable path to follow. 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."

"Now and again, it is necessary to seclude yourself among deep mountains and hidden valleys to restore your link to the source of life. Breathe in and let yourself soar to the ends of the universe; breathe out and bring the cosmos back inside. Next, breathe up all fecundity and vibrancy of the earth. Finally, blend the breath of heaven and the breath of earth with your own, becoming the Breath of Life itself."

Aikido is more than a martial art. It is a way of living, a way of thinking. In every class, I learn a little bit more.