graham christian

This is my summary of the whole of Aikido in it's true essence.

As stated by Ueshiba it is the path of peace and thus minds all come up with various translations as to what that means.

It's not a mind journey though, it's a spiritual journey, a self journey, a journey of the heart and a journey of the soul.

Simply put, it's the action of restoring peace.

However, it is a path and it is a circle and the true understanding of the circle is the true understanding of Aikido.

This circle starts with peace and ends with peace. A circle of peace.

Thus enters the condition of enlightenment. Enlightenment here meaning a being in a condition of peace, at one with the universe. When you experience similar to this feeling you are experiencing the feeling of STABLE enlightenment temporarily.

Thus Aikido is to learn how to be in such a condition from which to act and bring the other and the scene back to peace, a shared condition.

Sharing. In yourself you may reach being at peace but can you share it? Can you take the attacker and harmonize and restore both in them and in the scene peace?

Such is the path of peace. Such is THE WAY.

Peace. G..