Enlightenment through Aikido [Paperback]

Kanshu Sunadomari (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 23, 2004

Enlightenment through Aikido focuses on Aikido's spiritual teachings, drawing on Sunadomari's experiences as a direct student of Morihei Ueshiba. Quotes from the founder and the author's interpretations show how Aikido can develop inner strength and tranquility. This book is an excellent companion for those practitioners who aspire to go beyond the physical in their journey along the path of Aikido.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Aiki is love. It is the path that brings our hearts into oneness with the spirit of the universe to complete our mission in life by instilling in us a love and reverence for all of nature."- Moihei Ueshiba, the Founder of Aikido

About the Author

Kanshu Sunadomari was a live-in student in his teens of the Founder of Aikido, just prior to World War II. After the war, he was one of the first people to begin teaching the art of Aikido, and in 1961 he received the rank of 9th dan directly from the Founder. After his teacher's passing, Sunadomari formed an independent organization to study the spiritual teachings of Aikido. In 1999, he named his practice Aiki Manseido Aikido, symbolizing his dedication to disseminating the Founder's philosophy to future generations and developing the art as a way to help bring about world peace.

Product Details

• Paperback: 192 pages
• Publisher: Blue Snake Books (April 23, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1556434871
• ISBN-13: 978-1556434877
• Product Dimensions: 6 x 0.5 x 9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12.5 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,135,119 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Best out there, but not perfect., October 16, 2006

By 

Wayne Wilson (Astoria, NY) - See all my reviews
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Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Enlightenment through Aikido (Paperback)

Basically, this book is a collection of Sunadomari's writings in his dojo's own journal/monthly paper. This means there are a lot of repeated ideas and boring phrases like, "now that spring is here, it's time to think about..."
That being said, there is not nearly enough Aikido literature out there with this level of commitment to Aikido as a purely spiritual art. The author does engage the reader with the questions of what the ultimate mission and purpose of their life is, and what the ultimate mission of Aikido should be: Love. It needs to be read with a non-cynical mind, as it is very simple, straightforward, and from Sunadomari's honest and heartfelt perspective.

It is to a large degree inspiring. And until more works like this come out, I would buy this along with the writings of Ueshiba, as part of your Aiki-spirit library.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Excellent philosophical perspective., July 5, 2006

By 

Aikido Book Guy - See all my reviews

This review is from: Enlightenment through Aikido (Paperback)

This is the only English translation of substantial size done on the works of Sunadomari Sensei. This is not a technical book in any fashion, but a collection of spiritual and philosophical anecdotes. Good to have if you are interested in "that side" of Aikido.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Very good book, February 14, 2009

By 

Eric T. Schiro "pathfinder" (Medford, OR) - See all my reviews
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Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Enlightenment through Aikido (Paperback)

I was not sure what I was getting in the purchase of this book. I skimmed through it before sitting down and reading it. I think it is a great book if you are practicing Aikido or just would like to learn more about Aikido.
Sunadomari, breaks up each chapter talking about what he has learned and sees how the humanrace is destroying earth and ourselves due to selfishness and greed. He further goes into explaining how each individual should strive to better themselves and to find purpose in life.
I feel he is on the right path to help mankind and teaching us to realize how we behave.
The only draw back that I did not care much for was Sunadomari frequently talks about God in Christianity. At first I thought he was talking about all of heavenly Gods and the gods within ourselves to do the right thing but further reading he does come across like he is preaching God. I just expected more Eastern Philosophy.
This is my opinion and I am wrong most of the time.