Saturday Contemplations: The way of the Warrior and the Art of Peace Morihei Ueshiba, is the father of Aikido, the author of the Art of Peace, and a complete badass.  Read his bio if interested in learning more by John Stevens.   Morihei sought to achieve harmony with the universe and developed a martial art and philosophy for spiritual warriors, that of non-aggression while defending self and others.   A high level of the philosophy: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K5PglQFwGRU Below are several apt quotes from Morihei for all of us to live by:         In order to practice the Art of Peace, we need valor, a valor that is grounded in truth, goodness, and beauty.  Valor gives us strength and makes us brave.  Valor is a mirror that reveals all things and exposes evil.      The penetrating brilliance of swords Wielded by followers of the way  Strikes at the evil enemy Lurking deep within Their own souls and bodies.   To injure an opponent is to injure yourself.  To control aggression without inflicting injury is the Art of Peace.     Keep your movements circular.  Imagine a circle with a cross drawn through it.  Place yourself in the center and stand there confidently in a triangular stance.  Link yourself to the ki of heaven and earth, pivot around the front foot, and guide your partner around that center.     There is no place in the Art of Peace for pettiness and selfish thoughts.  Rather than being captivated by the notion of "winning" or "losing", seek the true nature of things.  Your thoughts should reflect the grandeur of the universe, a realm beyond life and death.  If your thoughts are antagonistic toward the cosmos; those thoughts will destroy you and wreak havoc on the environment.   No matter how heavily armed your opponent is, you can use the Art of Peace to disarm him (or her).  When someone comes in anger, greet him with a smile.  That is the highest kind of martial art.   In the Art of Peace we never attack.  An attack is proof that one is out of control.  Never run away from any kind of challenge, but do not try to suppress or control an opponent unnaturally.  Let attackers come any way they like and then blend with them.  Never chase after opponents.  Redirect each attack and get firmly behind it.    Seeing me before him,  The enemy attacks,  But by that time I am already standing Safely behind him.     Even the most powerful human being has a limited  Sphere of strength.  Draw him outside of that sphere and  into your own, and his strength will dissipate.   Cast off limiting thoughts and return to true emptiness.   Stand in the midst of the great void.  This is the secret of the way of a Warrior.     The Art of Peace is a form of prayer that generates light and heat.   Forget about your little self, detach yourself from objects, and you will radiate light and warmth.   Light is wisdom; warmth is compassion.