Find Your Middle Ground
Life is a series of highs and lows. Be grateful in the highs. Be graceful in the lows. Find contentment in your Middle Ground
The Martial Art of Love
I am entranced by a book I downloaded called The Art Of Peace. It is written by Morihei Ueshiba, the founder of the martial art of Aikido.
Wikipedia Description:
Aikido (Japanese: 合気道? Hepburn: aikidō) [aikiꜜdoː] is a modern martial art developed by Morihei Ueshiba as a synthesis of his martial studies, philosophy, and religious beliefs. Aikido is often translated as “the way of unifying (with) life energy”[1] or as “the way of harmonious spirit”.[2] Ueshiba’s goal was to create an art that practitioners could use to defend themselves while also protecting their attacker from injury.[3][4]
Aikido techniques consist of entering and turning movements that redirect the momentum of an opponent’s attack, and a throw or joint lock that terminates the technique.[5]
In Morihei Ueshiba’s words:
“Aikido is the true martial art because it emerged from the truth of the universe. Since universal unity is at its center, Aikido sees everything in the cosmos as part of a single family, and it is an expression of ultimate harmony and absolute peace. Based on its universal vision, Aikido should be perceived as none other than the martial art of love. It can never be violent. Aikido is the embodiment of the Divine Creator, a truly august presence. Aikido is practiced at the junction of heaven and earth, in a peaceful manner. The purpose of Aikido is to teach people how not to be violent, and lead them to a higher path. It is a means of establishing universal peace. If we harmonize all nations together, there will be no need for atomic weapons, and this world will be a good and pleasant place to live….
Aikido is the Way of Harmony. It brings together people of all races and manifests the original form of all things. The universe has a single source, and from that core all things emerged in a cosmic pattern.
At the end of WWII, it become clear that the world needed to be purified of filth and degradation, and that is why Aikido emerged. In order to eliminate war, deception, greed, and hatred, the gods of peace and harmony manifested their powers. All of us in this world are members of the same family, and we should work together to make discord and war disappear from our midst.
Without Love, our nation, the world, and the universe will be destroyed. Love generates heat and light. Those two elements are actualized in physical form as Aikido. As the last aspect of creation, human beings came into existence as an actualization of all higher powers. Human beings represent all of creation and we must bring the divine plan to fruition.”*
~ Morihei Ueshiba
There is plenty of food for thought in the world we live in today.
Namaste
*Ueshiba, Morihei. The Art of Peace (Shambhala Classics) (p. 21). Shambhala. Kindle Edition.
A beautiful envisioning, may it be so.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes indeed Eliza 💕
LikeLike
Martial art of love …I loved this! Thank you very much for sharing.
LikeLiked by 1 person
So glad you enjoyed this PD 💛
LikeLiked by 1 person
Do you practice Aikido? I did intensively during three years. Too bad I paused because other commitments in life. It is really great, complete development of body, heart and mind.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you Marcus for sharing your experience! I don’t practice Aikido, but I do love the focus on mind, body and spirit in harmony. It is similar to my approach to yoga. 💛
LikeLiked by 1 person
beautiful Val, the art of peace.
you made me curious! I had to go to amazon to have a look at the book… it looks fantastic! so I think when I reload my card there I’ll download the book. it is intriguing to me. Thanks for sharing with us 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Glad you were inspired by this post Debi! The first half of the book is his life story, and the second half is full of his wisdom. Lets enjoy it together 💛
LikeLiked by 1 person
Val that sounds great, and I’ve just loaded my itunes up! woohoooo 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Sounds beautiful Val. Thankyou for sharing. 🙏🏻
LikeLiked by 1 person
Glad you enjoyed it Karen 💛🌼💛
LikeLiked by 1 person
Beautiful post, Val. I appreciate the deeper understanding of this practice, since I was exposed to a coaching instructor who was a regular practitioner of this marital art.
LikeLiked by 1 person
An amazing book. Great post as well. Thankyou.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you Sensei BP 💛
LikeLike
I love this, Val. ❤
LikeLike
Thank you Ann for loving this 💕
LikeLike
Pingback: The Martial Arts of Love | SMA bloggers
Sounds beautiful Val. Thankyou for communion.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you for your presence here 💛
LikeLike
Let’s work together towards an Unparalleled Universe full of compassion and an unparalleled love for each other always!!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Reblogged this on Site Title and commented:
I came across this post from Val Boykin at an important juncture in my martial training. I’m sure I’ll return to it many times as a reminder of the preferred martial intent.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Amazing…. !!!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Indeed! Thank you 🙏
LikeLike