The Art of Peace

Morihei Ueshiba

Dec 2002 · Shambhala Publications

About this ebook

Inspirational teachings on fearlessness, compassion, and nature by the founder of the Japanese martial art of Aikido

The real way of the warrior is based on compassion, wisdom, fearlessness, and love of nature. So taught the great Morihei Ueshiba (1883–1969), founder of the Japanese martial art of Aikido. Aikido is a mind-body discipline Ueshiba called the “Art of Peace.” It offers a nonviolent way to victory in the face of conflict, and Ueshiba believed that Aikido principles could be applied to all the challenges we face in life—in personal and business relationships, as well as in our interactions with society.

This edition is a much-expanded version of the original miniature edition that appeared in the Shambhala Pocket Classics series. It features a wealth of new material, including a biography of Ueshiba; an essay by John Stevens that presents Ueshiba's views on “The Art of War versus the Art of Peace”; newly translated doka, didactic “poems of the Way”; and Ueshiba's own calligraphies.

Ratings and reviews

A wonderful collection of the thoughts and ideas of an equally wonderful individual. Many such collections suffer from failures in translation into other languages but not with such subject matter as this and certainly not when one allows oneself to read with an open mind and a receptive heart. Where my Way is concerned this makes an ideal companion to Hagakure and yet even as a "standalone" it is a truly magnificent book that definitely had it's effect upon how I live and look at life.

This books repeating the core concept of Aikido - The Art of Peace, so somehow you can understand what does Aikido really mean without reading long explanation about it. I feel peace just by reading this book.

I greatly enjoyed the book though found it short when i finished it in two sittings. Its the type of book u ponder on daily in different ways. I look forward to applying the teachings of the art of peace.

About the author

Morihei Ueshiba (1883–1969) was the founder of Aikido. At age eighteen, Ueshiba joined the Japanese military, during which time he also developed his skills in the martial arts. He eventually left the military, deeply discouraged by the death and destruction that results from combat. Ueshiba continued to experiment with a variety of martial arts, finding particular joy in the spiritual aspects of martial arts. He came to believe that a real warrior was one who was rooted in love, and it was in this spirit that he began to develop Aikido, a martial art that emphasizes harmony and the peaceful resolution of conflict.