Quotes about Aikido

When practicing techniques with a partner, nage and uke must each give 100% effort. It is not 50% nage and 50% uke. So, I tend to think about this issue the same way. It is up to each individual to give 100% to both sides of their training, martial and spiritual. It is not 50% martial and 50% spiritual. One aspect of the art does not suffer at the hands of the other. They should both be given full measure. This idea also reminds me of something that the 2nd Doshu said, "O-Sensei was both more martial and more spiritual than people realize."

Focus on stillness, rather than on movement

The penetrating brilliance of swords, wielded by followers of the Way, strikes at the evil enemy, lurking deep within, their own souls and bodies.

Aikido is based on the projection of love.

Aikido is love. It is the path that brings our heart into oneness with the spirit of the universe to complete our mission in life by instilling in us a love and reverence for all of nature.

The purpose of training is to tighten up the slack, toughen the body, and polish the spirit.

True victory does not come from defeating an enemy, true victory comes from giving love and changing an enemies heart.

 "Leading people

demands active participation.

The skill cannot be learned by watching

from the sidelines."

"As leaders, we can waste energy assigning blame for the escalating complexities

"Leadership is at once obvious and mysterious. Like Aikido, leadership

is a mind-body-spirit discipline calling us to create conditions that allow

others to contribute effectively and whole-heartedly. From childhood to

old age, leadership is a function that touches all of our lives, offering endless

opportunities to refine our capacity to lead and be led."

- from the Foreword by Wendy Palmer