Customer Reviews

The Art of Peace (Shambhala Library)

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This is a gem of a book (it will fit in the palm of your hand) which contains the core teachings of Morihei Ueshiba, the enlightened founder of Aikido. Before Ueshiba experienced his three enlightening visions he was already one of the greatest martial artists in history, after the visions he became a force of nature....

Central to these deceptively simple teachings is the principle of becoming one with heaven and earth. Where heaven and earth meet is the center of the cosmos. When your center also corresponds with this place, then you are undefeatable.

While Aikado is truly the way of the warrior, the definition of warrior has been restored to its cosmic meaning. A warrior strives to restore harmony and balance to the world. A warrior puts things right in accordance with the Way of Heaven.

You will not find a great deal of specific techniques in this book. As the master states, one should not depend too much on the mastery of specific techniques. Nor should one focus too much on any specific aspect of an opponent, neither his eyes, his sword, his tricks. Instead one should reach out and encompass the entire opponent within the sphere of your being. You should flow with him, engulf him. Meet fire with water.

On the other hand, there is no substitute for practice, practice, practice. This is what attunes our body with the Ki. This is what forges a body like iron is forged into steel.

Unlike classic martial texts such as _The Art of War_, this book will be of limited appeal to the materialist. Ueshiba makes it clear that he rejects materialism. He rejects bondage to things. You are to forget your little self and detach from objects. He rejects unnatural imbalances in the world of any kind.

This book speaks of learning from nature, from sages, from looking deep into your own heart. It makes it clear that all true spiritual paths are naturally compatible with the Way of Peace. This Way can transcend time and space itself. Ultimately the Way of the Warrior, like the Art of Politics, is to stop trouble before it starts. You spiritually defeat those who see themselves as adversariies by making them realise that their actions are contrary to the Way, to the balance of Heaven and Earth.

As an Aikido instructor, this book never leaves my pocket. The Art of Peace is a compilation of sayings and concepts taken from O-sensei Morihei Ueshiba himself and gives simple, but profound teachings on all aspects of Aikido training. Much like a compilation of Zen riddles, the teachings of this book take on a new meaning every time they are read and pondered upon. A must have for every true Aikido practitioner. This book trains one to understand the mind and spirit of Aikido. The concepts contained within are timeless.

The auther, Stevens is the top shihan(sensei) taught by Morihei,
the founder's best student Shirata from pre-war era.
So handy, easy to make out concise philosophy of the profound
thought of Aikido,mysterious, Oriental magical martial arts.
In the viewpoint of me, native Japanese, really can I recommend
buying, for oversea friends.

Named for the mythical (?) and mystical kingdom in the East, Shambhala Publications is known for bringing some of the greatest and sometimes most obscure philosophical writings of Mankind to the attention of the general public. Heavily (though not exclusively) concerned with Buddhist and Taoist thought, Shambhala Pocket Classics are an attractive set of unabridged minibooks which fit comfortably in a shirt pocket, making them perfect for reading on planes, trains, and automobiles. Titles in the set include THE BOOK OF TEA, WAY OF THE JEWISH MYSTICS, ZEN FLESH, ZEN BONES, THE TIBETAN BOOK OF THE DEAD, TAO TE CHING, POEMS BY EMILY DICKINSON, THE ART OF WAR, and this volume by Morihei Ueshiba, THE ART OF PEACE.

Written as a conscious counterpoint to Sun Tzu's immortal classic, THE ART OF PEACE is a collection of aphorisms and short maxims which set forth Ueshiba's philosophy of life. Ueshiba (1883-1969), the founder of Aikido ("The Art of Peace") often referred to as O'Sensei the Great Teacher, is widely considered the greatest martial artist the world has ever seen. Aikido is regarded as the most difficult and effective of the martial arts, finding it's basis wholly in the ability to invert an aggressor's force. Aikido relies on physical conditioning and a series of locks and throws rather than injurious kicks and punches. It has been documented that in his seventies Ueshiba could restrain an attacker with one finger or evade multiple attackers with such grace that he appeared to become invisible to them.

Ueshiba was a pacifist at a time when Japan was becoming increasingly militaristic. He credited his development of Aikido to a series of visions which occurred over the course of his lifetime and convinced him of the universatility of humanity. He saw Warrior traditions as having evolved beyond mere adventures in hostility into a clarion call to protect and defend, respect and honor all things.

As such, THE ART OF PEACE is the taproot of all Aikido training. It is a brief book which holds many profound thoughts deserving of reflection. The Aikidoka needs to take THE ART OF PEACE as a foundation stone for further learning and awareness. Unsurprisingly, much of the substance of THE ART OF PEACE will be familiar to students of Zen, and this volume should form a portion of the library of any Sangha.

This is a good book with small but deep thoughts from O'Sensei Ueshiba. I feel that all thoughts can be applied to daily life, and not only for Aikido practice. Perhaps a good philosophical complement for other technical books.

In this little book, the founder of one of the world's most effective martial arts, Aikido, explains the philosophy that led him to take the brutal bone-crunching techniques of juijitsu, the head slicing strokes of Yagyu ryu kenjutsu, and other deadly arts and transform them into gentle, nonviolent ways of resolving conflict. A very worthwhile read. I guarantee you'll learn something.

I love this little book and I love O Sensei - "The Great Teacher" as he is known. As a practicing aikidoka I can vouch that all of the things he says are true and very useful both when learning aikido and in everyday life. Its a small book which can be read very quickly but the truths can be absorbed over a life time. It deserves reading over and over.
Makes a great gift! God bless O Sensei.

I'm familiar with Sun Tzu's Art of War, but this little book caught my eye, I glanced over it quickly seeing a few short quotes and decided to buy it, I got home to really read it and I couldn't get past the first actual page. I had to think over that page for almost a week before it would soak in and turn the page. The exerpts are well placed and there's plenty of space on the pages to make small foot notes on them. The book will literally fit in your pocket or purse, and the translations are not only accurate, but flowing also.
I'll tell you now, this tiny book is not for the lazy browser, it will make you think. I recommend this tiny treasure to martial arts friends, religious discussions, and philosophers or just a good overall gift.

Anyone considering taking their martial arts study to the next level and turning it into a way of life will be enriched by the philosophies found in this book.

Awesome read and instructional guide for those who may be considering embracing any serious traditional martial art as a way of living, not just for sport enthusiast or fighter "wannabe", but actually internalizing the philosophical applications of the Martial Way (Budo) on our daily doings. A guide to discover the esoteric meaning of self control, loyalty, honor, etiquette, but above all of love, the supreme Way to self respect, respect to others and to self-preservation, the preservation of those we love and nation. All these encompassed in the base of Aikido (the way of harmony), beyond the mere exoteric physical functions of pulling, grabbing, throwing and falling. Highly recommended for the martial way enthusiast. A very interesting path to understand the profound and compassionate mind of Ueshiba O'Sensei. Osu!

Adames Sensei,
Manila, Philippines