Customer Reviews

Aikido and the Harmony of Nature

5 star:		(13)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

Saotome Shihan(one that is worthy to be followed) has written a very distintive and uncommon book. There is nothing about technique or fighting ways. The book is concerned with the spiritual side of Aikido and the importance of becoming a better person through its practice. That does not mean that Saotome Shihan is one of those dreamy-eyed, "new-age" people...He talks straight and proposes many ideas full of common sense. The book also is full of his fond memories of Ueshiba Sensei(founder of Aikido)and gives sound advice on how to improve our lives. All in all, a one of a kind book. You must have it in your martial arts library !

Taking the esoteric Shinto based beliefs of the Founder of Aikido, Morihei Ueshiba, Saotome Sensei translates these ideas into Western terms using examples from natural science, physics, psychology, and mathematics. Not a technique book! This is the premier explanation of Aikido philosophy in terms comprehensible to the average Westerner.There are very few teachers who had more exposure to the Founder on a daily basis, training with O-Sensei for over fifteen years! If you only have one Aikido book, this should be it!

I'm sorry to be the voice of dissent with my review but I found `Aikido and the Harmony of Nature' to be a disappointing read, maybe all the more so after reading the other glowing reviews here. This book looks at Aikido philosophy and links it into themes of nature. The premise sounds great but it struggles hard to actually do it in practise. You get lots of spurious illustrations of aikido throws with swirling arrows that spin around strands of DNA, atoms or solar flares (for example), but these bare little relevance to both the text or the philosophy itself. They look like they mean something and are deeply profound or spiritual, but on closer analysis they really aren't. Whilst it's true that the spherical motion of Aikido techniques can find a mirror in nature, this book struggles to tie them together in any coherent or meaningful way. There is also far too much talk of God (although Saotome does specify that he doesn't mean any particular God) and how Aikido links you with him when Aikido is a non religious martial art, although it is deeply spiritual. The sections that recount the authors training with O Sensei are fascinating to read and some of the philosophy makes for interesting reading, although it tends to ramble after a while. If you are looking for a book on Aikido philosophy then I'd suggest you start with the excellent `Spirit of Aikido' by Kisshomaru Ueshiba and then come to this one way, way down the line. Some interesting parts and some of the photography redeemed this book from being a total washout, but it could have delivered so much more.

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This book addresses the spirit and the connection to all things natural that exists in Aikido. It is a dimension sadly lacking in many Aikido texts. Any student of Aikido should have a copy, and hang on to it... Highly Recommended.

This is an interesting overview of Aikido's philosophy, comparing it with science. I think that this book presents a studied conclusion on why the Founder's way of thinking is rooted on our physical reality.

Simpler said then done. Now, this book is my main aikido book. Upon reading you will expand you're mind and take a total different and right look upon martial arts. The ego is discussed here, war, terms are difficult but very good described.

in short, you must have this book. It stands above it all.

Perhaps many practitioners nowadays consider Aikido as one of martial arts, one kind of Budo. But Aikido is much more. It's a perfect system to develop ourselves while help others, make the world better. This book of Saotome sensei clarifies the aim of Aikido giving its traditonal and spiritual roots originated from shinto. Obligatory for all aikidoka wants to live in the spirit of Aikido

One of the highest ranking aikidoka in the world, Mitsugi Saotome has written an excellent text detailing the philosophies of Aikido. Memories of his past training bring to life Morihei Ueshiba's teachings. This is a great source for understanding the movements and philosophies of this new and great martial art

This book is an excellent portrayal of the life and teachings of the founder of Aikido Morihei Ueshiba. Once I began to read the book I could not put it down. I slowly became an Aikido master in spirit! I understood what it meant to actually fly with just your mind.

This was one of the first books I purchased when I began my journey of study into this art. I HIGHLY HIGHLY recommend it. Saotome is one of the few individuals who actually studied with O-Sensei. He details several accounts of working with the founder both in and out of the dojo. He also gives a unique spiritual interpretation of many of the major techniques used in the art and references forces in nature and the universe for comparison. Well written and well founded. A must-read for any serious aikidoka.