Harmonious Balance in Aikido

Mariye Takahashi speaking,

"O-Sensei I have something to tell you," and informed him that I was off to the U.S. to study. He said , "America? Well, that sounds wonderful for you! I wish you the best." He was really happy for me. He also gave me a book called Aikido as a going-away present. Then he said, "Before you go, is there anything you want to ask me?" So I said simply, "O-Sensei, what is aikido?" He responded by saying, "Well, let me write it down for you and someday you can read it and understand." What he wrote were the words: "intellectual training, physical training, virtue training, ki training-these produce practical wisdom." He added that it wouldn't do for even one of these to be missing, that lacking any one of them would render everything for naught and inevitably slow one's overall development. One must, he told me, always maintain a harmonious balance among these. "

Aikido Journal
Interview with Mariye Takahashi (2)
https://members.aikidojournal.com/pu...e-takahashi-2/

that's very enlightening. Thank you for that.

It also shows how accepting, open, and forward thinking O-Sensei was.

I like this too.