Product Description

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.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #246431 in Books
• Published on: 1995-11-01
• Released on: 1995-11-01
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 216 pages

Review
"If interested in a serious exploration of Japanese religion, the practice of Zen, or aikido history, this title could serve well. It thoroughly explains the basic philosophical concepts behind this martial art and the components of Shinto and Zen."
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Library Journal

About the Author
William Gleason is a widely respected teacher of Aikido who gives workshops nationwide. His initial training came during ten years of Aikido study in Tokyo at Honbu Dojo with Kisshomaru Ueshiba Doshu and Yamaguchi Seigo Sensei, considered by many to be the number one teacher in the world. As a westerner trained in Japan, he brings a unique perspective to the study of this discipline.

Customer Reviews

Valuable Reading for Aikidoka, Regretfully Poor Binding.
As a beginning student in the art of Aikido, I hardly feel capable of rendering any worthwhile judgments on the content of this book. It's value to me personally in achieving an understanding of the process of learning the art has been tremendous, however. Gleason Sensei's explanations and examples have helped me greatly in making the connection between Aikido training and the way of life which this art is truly meant to be. This is one of those books which, while reading, you will continuously say to yourself "Ah - now I understand!" or "Yes - this has happened to me!" It is a book which you will be inspired to share with your fellow students as well.

Unfortunately, I must in honesty say that Destiny Publishers has failed in their effort to provide a lasting medium for the words of William Gleason. My paperback copy of this book disintegrated into a handful of loose pages before I was halfway finished. It is truly a testament to the inspirational worth of this book to me personally, that I overcame my impatience and finished it despite this.

Still, I would rate this a "must read" for anyone seriously interested in Aikido - regretfully, I cannot lend you my copy.

The spiritual world of Morihei Ueshiba, Aikido's Founder
A student of Yamaguchi Sensei at Hombu Dojo in Japan for many years, Gleason Sensei has succeeded in giving us the first comprehensive exposition of the spiritual beliefs of the Aikido Founder, Morihei Ueshiba. A great companion volume for Aikido and the Harmony of Nature, this volume expresses theses concepts in the terms that he Founder himself would have used. Not an easy read, this book is best digested in manageable pieces. For the serious student of Aikido this book provides a wonderful window on how the physical techniques of the art are really a form of spiritual expression and allows one to go far beyond the viewpoint afforded by the very smell amount of writing that has been translated from the Founder's own words into English.

For those who think aikido is more than just bending joints
This book is a most interesting review of and introduction to the spiritual aspects of Aikido. More than just aspects, William Gleason, the author, shows that without the spiritual, aikido would be a hollow physical shell. With grounding in Shinto, esoteric Buddhism and other spiritual fields explored and assimilated by the founder of Aikido, the author gives a good case for patience...In other words this is surely not a discipline for those hoping for enlightenment in a weekend. The only objection I have to this book which applies, I believe, to martial arts books in general, is that the aikido practice photographs are of doubtful value. Two dimensions will never do justice to three: you cannot judge distances, angles, positition and the rest by looking at these pictures. Or any other pictures, for that matter. Pictures of the founder of aikido are interesting because one look at his face and you understand that aikido is the antithesis of a murderous, brutal martial art. A true budo, a fine book.