I am interested to hear peoples perspectives on the spiritual aspects of Aikido.
Specifically in how they see Aikido working for them practically as a tool for spiritual development.
For the purpose of the discussion we will borrow a couple of definitions to reduce the likely hood of semantic debates.
Define spirituality as:
"the search for connection with one's true self and a core reality that gives value and meaning to life" Andrew Canale,
The cry of the desperate, (
http://www.sanjosepby.org/Refmsprt.html)
"a state of interconnectedness with the Other - the divine, the self, the human, the natural, or any combination thereof - resulting in a state of security with a sense of worthful purpose" Caleb Rosado,
What is spirituality? Memetics, Quantum Mechanics, and the spiral of spirituality (
http://rosado.net/articles-qumetics.html)
Obviously I have some clear opinions of my own, but I'll chime in if people are interested in the discussion of the topic. I
f possible I'd like to avoid quoting O'Sensei, I am more interested in peoples individuals perspectives, not interested in a 'quotation debate', and if you feel spirituality doesn't have a place in your Aikido practice, there is no need to post !!
Keith