Aikido Quotes

• 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 make yourself become one with the universe and to go along with its natural movements. One who has attained this secret holds the universe in him/herself and can say, 'I am the universe.'

  Morihei Ueshiba

  Art, Fighting, Secret

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• Nonresistance is one of the principles of aikido. Because there is no resistance, you have won before even starting. People whose minds are evil or who enjoy fighting are defeated without a fight.

  Morihei Ueshiba

  Fighting, People, Evil

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• Move like a beam of light: fly like lightning, strike like thunder, whirl in circles around a stable center

  Morihei Ueshiba

  Moving, Light, Circles

  Morihei Ueshiba, John Stevens (2010). “The Art of Peace”, p.107, Shambhala Publications

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• I want considerate people to listen to the voice of Aikido. It is not for correcting others; it is for correcting your own mind. This is Aikido. This is the mission of Aikido and should be your mission.

  Morihei Ueshiba

  Voice, People, Mind

  28 Copy quote

• The techniques of Aikido change constantly; every encounter is unique, and the appropriate response should emerge naturally. Today's techniques will be different tomorrow. Do not get caught up with the form and appearance of a challenge. Aikido has no form - it is the study of the spirit

  Morihei Ueshiba

  Unique, Challenges, Technique

  24 Copy quote

• Aiki is not a technique to fight with or defeat an enemy. It is the way to reconcile the world and make human beings one family.

  Morihei Ueshiba

  Fighting, Enemy, Technique

  "It's A Lot Like Dancing: An Aikido Journey". Book by Terry Dobson, 1993.

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• Those who are possessed by nothing possess everything.

  Morihei Ueshiba

  Martial Arts, Possessed

  Morihei Ueshiba, John Stevens (2010). “The Art of Peace”, p.12, Shambhala Publications

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• Shihonage is the foundation of Aikido. All you ever need to master is shihonage.

  Morihei Ueshiba

  Foundation, Needs, Masters

  "Aikido Shugyo". Book by Gōzō Shioda, p. 61, 1991.

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• Aikido is the principle of non-resistance. Because it is non-resistant, it is victorious from the beginning. Those with evil intentions or contentious thoughts are instantly vanquished. Aikido is invincible because it contends with nothing.

  Morihei Ueshiba

  Evil, Principles, Resistance

  52 Copy quote

• Aikido is the spirit of loving protection for all beings.

  Morihei Ueshiba

  Spirit, Protection

  "Aikido". Book by Kisshomaru Ueshiba, 1985.

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• Life is growth. If we stop growing, technically and spiritually, we are as good as dead.

  Morihei Ueshiba

  Life, Motivational, Death

  Morihei Ueshiba, John Stevens (2010). “The Art of Peace”, p.23, Shambhala Publications

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• A good stance and posture reflect a proper state of mind.

  Morihei Ueshiba

  Mind, Posture, States

  Morihei Ueshiba, John Stevens (2010). “The Art of Peace”, p.103, Shambhala Publications

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• Techniques employ four qualities that reflect the nature of our world. Depending on the circumstance, you should be: hard as a diamond, flexible as a willow, smooth-flowing like water, or as empty as space.

  Morihei Ueshiba

  Art, Our World, Space

  Morihei Ueshiba, John Stevens (2010). “The Art of Peace”, p.109, Shambhala Publications

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• Today's aikido is so dimensionless. It's hollow, empty on the inside. People try to reach the highest levels without even paying their dues. That's why it seems so much like a dance these days. You have to master the very basics solidly, with your body, and then proceed to develop to the higher levels.... Now we see nothing but copying or imitation without any grasp of the real thing.

  Gozo Shioda

  Real, People, Trying

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• Aikido chagnes constantly. What do not change are the principles.

  Christian Tissier

  Principles

  12 Copy quote

• Aiki is the way of the Kami and was born of the will of the Kami. Rise early in the morning to greet the sun. Inhale the breath of heaven and let the cosmos inside. Next breath up the rich vibrance of the earth. Blend these breaths with your own breath and become the breath of life itself. Your mind and body will be gladdened, heartache and disappointment will dissipate and you will be filled with gratitude. The movements of Aikido which unite human being with great nature are all given by Sarutahiko-no-O-Kami. Aikido is Misogi..a purification of ourselves...the way of the universe.

  Morihei Ueshiba

  Gratitude, Morning, Disappointment

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• Foster and polish the warrior spirit while serving in the world; illuminate the path according to your inner light.

  Morihei Ueshiba

  Art, Warrior, Light

  Morihei Ueshiba, John Stevens (2010). “The Art of Peace”, p.71, Shambhala Publications

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• Aikido is the Way and Principle of harmonizing Heaven, Earth and Man.

  Morihei Ueshiba

  Men, Heaven, Principles

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• 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.

  Morihei Ueshiba

  Sports, Art, Peace

  Morihei Ueshiba, John Stevens (2010). “The Art of Peace”, p.4, Shambhala Publications

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• To practice Aikido fully you must calm the spirit and go back to the origin.

  Morihei Ueshiba

  Art, Practice, Spirit

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• 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.

  Morihei Ueshiba

  Heart, Oneness, Path

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• Aikido can be summed up like this: True victory is self-victory; let that day arrive quickly! (True victory) means unflinching courage; (self-victory) symbolizes unflagging effort; and (let that day arrive quickly) represents the glorious moment of triumph in the here and now.

  Morihei Ueshiba

  Mean, Self, Effort

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• Aikido is based on the projection of love.

  Morihei Ueshiba

  Projection

  Morihei Ueshiba (2002). “The Art of Peace”, p.23, Shambhala Publications

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• Pour some water into a tub and stir it up. Now try as hard as you can to calm the water with your hands; you will succeed in agitating it further. Let it stand undisturbed a while, and it will calm down by itself. The human brain works much the same way.

  Koichi Tohei

  Art, Philosophy, Hands

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• To injure an opponent is to injure yourself. To control aggression without inflicting injury is the Art of Peace.

  Morihei Ueshiba

  Art, Peace, Opponents

  Morihei Ueshiba, John Stevens (2010). “The Art of Peace”, p.96, Shambhala Publications

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