Aikido Blog

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.

For the first time in English, the secrets of the sacred sounds that unlock the principles and spiritual strength of aikido• Explains the nature of the five vowels that govern the physical manifestations of universal consciousness • Uses more than 300 photographs to demonstrate a unique approach to aikido techniques that supports advanced spiritual practice• Author is a 6th dan aikido instructorAikido founder Ueshiba Morihei described the discipline as one spirit, four souls, three origins, and eight powers. One spirit and four souls are the five vowel dimensions of infinite space, the source of the sacred sounds of Kototama. Now, for the first time in English, William Gleason explains how to use the sounds of Kototama in the practice of aikido. Aikido is often approached as a purely physical discipline, but it is a truly profound spiritual vehicle for those who approach it with sincerity of purpose. The five vowels represent various dimensions and stages of awareness, whose different powers are revealed through aikido practice. Using more than 300 photographs, Gleason sensei presents physical routines that provide an introduction into the Kanagi, Sugaso, and Futonorito levels of spiritual development.Understanding the sacred sounds related to each of these dimensions, the adept gains not only the ability to realize the stages inherent in spiritual mastery but also the ability to maintain health and balance in his or her own life. “When fish move through water, there is no end to the water; when birds fly, there is no end to the sky.” Similarly, humans swim and fly in an ocean of sounds. Understanding Kototama allows human beings to view the world without distortion and allows the creative powers of the mind to flourish.

Embrace the Way of Harmony Aikido is a martial art that resolves conflict through harmonious movements and minimal physical force. Aikido for Self-Discovery brings the many lessons of Aikido out of the dojo (training hall) and into the everyday activities of life. It teaches you how to use Aikido as a tool for intuitive living and spiritual enlightenment. Although other Aikido books talk about centering, harmony, conflict resolution, and internal energy, this book is the first to present lessons designed to draw you into a sensory experience of these concepts, felt in the present moment. When you experience firsthand the physical aspects of Aikido principles, you can begin to perceive the world and yourself in a new way. In the following excerpt, author Stan Wrobel talks about creating awareness from within: From our center we establish our relationships with our internal and external worlds . . . Continue to explore-not driven with the need to answer a hundred questions more accurately and faster than anyone else, but with a curiosity of not knowing and the pleasure of first discoveries. The right answers are only right for you. Create your own test; and with patience, curiosity, openness, and awareness, come to an understanding of how you present, create, unfold, sense, function, and change. -Stan Wrobel, Ph. D.