-- Morihei Ueshiba, O'Sensei
Aikido
(ah kee' doe)
Study of the Japanese martial art of Aikido is recommended for those committed to the wholesale and unrelenting practice of Agape.
As a child, I thought that once an adult I would no longer find myself in danger of violence or physical confrontation. Unfortunately, I have learned, that presumption was simply wrong. Under such a circumstance, if dialogue or departing the scene fails and violence seems imminent, the student of Agape wishes knowledge of a martial technique that serves and supports their larger practice of Agape, not erodes or is inconsistent with it. Unique among manifold martial art styles stands Aikido.
Aikido is peaceful, strictly defensive, and ultimately love-centered; indeed, the founder of this art, Morihei Ueshiba, popularly and historically known as O'Sensei (oh sen' say'), or "Great Teacher," stated that the purpose of Aikido is to assist in bringing together all people as members of one human family. Indeed, when an attacker sees your prowess in repelling their attack and realizes that rather than simply repelling their attack you could have injured or even killed them, yet did not, choosing instead to simply repel their attack with minimum harm to them, the attacker will find themselves disposed to friendship, reconciliation, or contrition.
Additionally, study of Aikido will improve your general health and physical condition, and improve your self-confidence. Perhaps most importantly, once you possess such martial skill, you can be certain that love you show to others is rooted in your genuine desire to practice Agape, and not your fear of them.
Morihei Ueshiba, O'Sensei, Smiling
Quotations by O'Sensei
"To injure an opponent is to injure yourself. To control aggression without inflicting injury in the Art of Peace.""One does not need buildings, money, power, or status to practice the Art of Peace. Heaven is right where you are standing, and that is the place to train."
"Economy is the basis of society. When the economy is stable, society develops. The ideal economy combines the spiritual and the material, and the best commodities to trade in are sincerity and love."
"Your heart is full of fertile seeds, waiting to sprout."
“Aikido is a manifestation of a way to reorder the world of humanity as though everyone were of one family. Its purpose is to build a paradise right here on earth.”
“Aikido is not an art to fight with enemies and defeat them. It is a way to lead all human beings to live in harmony with each other as though everyone were one family."
“The secret of aikido is to cultivate a spirit of loving protection for all things.”
“As ai (harmony) is common with ai (love), I decided to name my unique budo Aikido, although the word ‘aiki’ is an old one. The word which was used by the warriors in the past is fundamentally different from that of mine.”
“A mind to serve for the peace of all human beings in the world is needed in Aikido, and not the mind of one who wishes to be strong or who practices only to fell an opponent.”
“True budo is a work of love. It is a work of giving life to all beings, and not killing or struggling with each other. Love is the guardian deity of everything. Nothing can exist without it. Aikido is the realization of love.”
“The Way of the Warrior has been misunderstood as a means to kill and destroy others. Those who seek competition are making a grave mistake. To smash, injure, or destroy is the worst sin a human being can commit. The real Way of a Warrior is to prevent slaughter - it is the Art of Peace, the power of love.”
Morihei Ueshiba, O'Sensei, Watering
Links
THE AGAPE ORDER