Topic: The Art of Peace

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I'm going to begin a thread in regards to The Art of Peace.  The focal point will be centered around Morihei Ueshiba, the founder of Aikido.

Comments and concerns in regards to Your interpretation of The Art of Peace are most welcome as well 

z

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Morihei Ueshiba (1883-1969) was history's greatest martial artist.  He was the founder of Aikido, which can be translated as "The Art of Peace."  Morihei Ueshiba is referred to by the practitioners of Aikido as O-Sensei, "The Great Teacher."  The following quotations have been compiled from O-Sensei's collected talks, poems, and calligraphy, and from oral tradition.

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"The Art of Peace Is Invincible Because It Contends With Nothing"

The Art of Peace begins with you. Work on yourself and your appointed task in the Art of Peace.  Everyone has a spirit that can be refined, a body that can be trained in some manner, a suitable path to follow. You are here for no other purpose than to realize your inner divinity and manifest your innate enlightenment. Foster peace in your own life and then apply the Art to all that you encounter.

One does not need buildings, money, power, or status to practice the Art of Peace. Heaven is right where you are standing, and that is the place to train. 

All things, material and spiritual, originate from one source and are related as if they were one family.  The past, present, and future are all contained in the life force. The universe emerged and developed from one source, and we evolved through the optimal process of unification and harmonization.

The Art of Peace is medicine for a sick world. There is evil and disorder in the world because people have forgotten that all things emanate from one source. Return to that source and leave behind all self-centered thoughts, petty desires, and anger. Those who are possessed by nothing possess everything.

If you have not

Linked yourself

To true emptiness,

You will never understand

The Art of Peace.

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The Art of Peace functions everywhere on earth, in realms ranging from the vastness of space down to the tiniest plants and animals.  The life force is all-pervasive and its strength boundless.  The Art of Peace allows us to perceive and tap into that tremendous reserve of universal energy.

Eight forces sustain creation:   

Movement and stillness,

Solidification and fluidity,

Extension and contraction,

Unification and division.

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Life is growth.  If we stop growing, technically and spiritually, we are as good as dead.  The Art of Peace is a celebration of the bonding of heaven, earth, and humankind.  It is all that is true, good, and beautiful.

Now and again, it is necessary to seclude yourself among deep mountains and hidden valleys to restore your link to the source of life.  Breathe in and let yourself soar to the ends of the universe; breathe out and bring the cosmos back inside.  Next, breathe up all fecundity and vibrancy of the earth.  Finally, blend the breath of heaven and the breath of earth with your own, becoming the Breath of Life itself.

All the principles of heaven and earth are living inside you.  Life itself is the truth, and this will never change.  Everything in heaven and earth breathes.  Breath is the thread that ties creation together.  When the myriad variations in the universal breath can be sensed, the individual techniques of the Art of Peace are born.

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Consider the ebb and flow of the tide.  When waves come to strike the shore, they crest and fall, creating a sound.  Your breath should follow the same pattern, absorbing the entire universe in your belly with each inhalation.  Know that we all have access to four treasures:  the energy of the sun and moon, the breath of heaven, the breath of earth, and the ebb and flow of the tide.

Those who practice the Art of Peace must protect the domain of Mother Nature, the divine reflection of creation, and keep it lovely and fresh.  Warriorship gives birth to natural beauty.  The subtle techniques of a warrior arise as naturally as the appearance of spring, summer, autumn, and winter.  Warriorship is none other than the vitality that sustains all life.

When life is victorious, there is birth; when it is thwarted, there is death.  A warrior is always engaged in a life-and-death struggle for Peace.

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Contemplate the workings of this world, listen to the words of the wise, and take all that is good as your own.  With this as your base, open your own door to truth.  Do not overlook the truth that is right before you.  Study how water flows in a valley stream, smoothly and freely between the rocks.  Also learn from holy books and wise people.  Everything – even mountains, rivers, plants and trees - should be your teacher.

Create each day anew by clothing yourself with heaven and earth, bathing yourself with wisdom and love, and placing yourself in the heart of Mother Nature.

Do not fail

To learn from

The pure voice of an

Ever-flowing mountain stream

Splashing over the rocks.

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Peace originates with the flow of things – its heart is like the movement of the wind and waves.  The Way is like the veins that circulate blood through our bodies, following the natural flow of the life force.  If you are separated in the slightest from that divine essence, you are far off the path.   

Your heart is full of fertile seeds, waiting to sprout.  Just as a lotus flower springs from the mire to bloom splendidly, the interaction of the cosmic breath causes the flower of the spirit to bloom and bear fruit in this world.

Study the teachings of the pine tree, the bamboo, and the plum blossom.  The pine is evergreen, firmly rooted, and venerable.  The bamboo is strong, resilient, unbreakable.  The plum blossom is hardy, fragrant, and elegant.

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Always keep your mind as bright and clear as the vast sky, the great ocean, and the highest peak, empty of all thoughts.  Always keep your body filled with light and heat.  Fill yourself with the power of wisdom and enlightenment.

As soon as you concern yourself with the, “good and bad” of your fellows, you create an opening in your heart for maliciousness to enter.  Testing, competing with, and criticizing others weaken and defeat you. 

The penetrating brilliance of swords

Wielded by followers of the Way

Strikes at the evil enemy

Lurking deep within

Their own souls and bodies.

[lady.urania]

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Always keep your mind as bright and clear as the vast sky, the great ocean, and the highest peak, empty of all thoughts.  Always keep your body filled with light and heat.  Fill yourself with the power of wisdom and enlightenment.

As soon as you concern yourself with the, “good and bad” of your fellows, you create an opening in your heart for maliciousness to enter.  Testing, competing with, and criticizing others weaken and defeat you. 

The penetrating brilliance of swords

Wielded by followers of the Way

Strikes at the evil enemy

Lurking deep within

Their own souls and bodies.

Very nice - an impeccable statement - good work.

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The Art of Peace is not easy. It is a fight to the finish, the slaying of evil desires and all falsehood within.  On occasion the Voice of Peace resounds like thunder, jolting human beings out of their stupor.

Crystal clear,

Sharp and bright,

The sacred sword

Allows no opening

For evil to roost.

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To practice properly the Art of Peace, you must:

Calm the spirit and return to the source.

Cleanse the body and spirit by removing all malice, selfishness, and desire.

Be ever-grateful for the gifts received from the universe, your family, Mother Nature, and your
fellow human beings.

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The Art of Peace is based on Four Great Virtues: Bravery, Wisdom, Love, and Friendship, symbolized by Fire, Heaven, Earth, and Water.

The essence of the Art of Peace is to cleanse yourself of maliciousness, to get in tune with your environment, and to clear your path of all obstacles and barriers.

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The only cure for materialism is the cleansing of the six senses (eyes, ears, nose, tongue, body, and mind). If the senses are clogged, one's perception is stifled. The more it is stifled, the more contaminated the senses become. This creates disorder in the world, and that is the greatest evil of all. Polish the heart, free the six senses and let them function without obstruction, and your entire body and soul will glow.

All life is a manifestation of the spirit, the manifestation of love. And the Art of Peace is the purest form of that principle. A warrior is charged with bringing a halt to all contention and strife. Universal love functions in many forms; each manifestation should be allowed free expression. The Art of Peace is true democracy.

Each and every master, regardless of the era or place, heard the call and attained harmony with heaven and earth. There are many paths leading to the top of Mount Fuji, but there is only one summit - love.

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Loyalty and devotion lead to bravery. Bravery leads to the spirit of self-sacrifice. The spirit of self-sacrifice creates trust in the power of love.

Economy is the basis of society. When the economy is stable, society develops. The ideal economy combines the spiritual and the material, and the best commodoties to trade in are sincerity and love.

The Art of Peace does not rely on weapons or brute force to succeed; instead we put ourselves in tune with the universe, maintain peace in our own realms, nurture life, and prevent death and destruction. The true meaning of the term samurai is one who serves and adheres to the power of love.