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Techniques employ four qualities that reflect the nature of our world. Depending on the circumstance, you should be: hard as a diamond, flexible as a willow, smooth-flowing like water, or as empty as space.

Morihei Ueshiba

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Morihei Ueshiba
Age: 85 †
Born: 1883
Born: December 14
Died: 1969
Died: April 26
Aikidoka
Martial Artist
Military Personnel
Sensei
Ōsensei
Depending
Art
Qualities
Nature
Technique
Circumstance
Hard
Empty
Flowing
Like
Circumstances
Techniques
World
Quality
Flexible
Aikido
Four
Diamond
Willow
Space
Smooth
Employ
Water
Reflect

More quotes by Morihei Ueshiba

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It is necessary to develop a strategy that utilizes all the physical conditions and elements that are directly at hand. The best strategy relies upon an unlimited set of responses.
Morihei Ueshiba
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The Way of the Warrior has been misunderstood. It is not a means to kill and destroy others. Those who seek to compete and better one another are making a terrible mistake. To smash, injure, or destroy is the worst thing a human being can do. The real Way of a Warrior is to prevent such slaughter – it is the Art of Peace, the power of love.
Morihei Ueshiba
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In extreme situations, the entire universe becomes our foe at such critical times, unity of mind and technique is essential - do not let your heart waver!
Morihei Ueshiba
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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.
Morihei Ueshiba
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FACE A SINGLE FOE as if you are facing ten thousand enemies face ten thousand enemies as a single foe.
Morihei Ueshiba
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The Way of a Warrior is based on humanity, love, and sincerity the heart of martial valor is true bravery, wisdom, love, and friendship. Emphasis on the physical aspects of warriorship is futile, for the power of the body is always limited.
Morihei Ueshiba
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You are here for no other purpose than to realize your inner divinity and manifest your inner enlightenment.
Morihei Ueshiba
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Nonresistance is one of the principles of aikido. Because there is no resistance, you have won before even starting. People whose minds are evil or who enjoy fighting are defeated without a fight.
Morihei Ueshiba
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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.
Morihei Ueshiba
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The Samurai is the first to suffer anxiety for human society, and he is the last to seek personal pleasure.
Morihei Ueshiba
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I have been given many teachings by Sarutahiko-no-O-Kami. OKami told me, 'By the work of Takehaya Susanowo no Mikoto, you will worship the Ame no Murakumo KuKamisamuhara Ryu O (Kami of Takemusu) and build an Aiki shrine and dojo.' Then I built the Aiki shrine and dojo in Iwama, Ibaragi prefecture in 1940.
Morihei Ueshiba
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The key to good technique is to keep your hands, feet, and hips straight and centered. If you are centered, you can move freely.
Morihei Ueshiba
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Ultimately, you must forget about technique. The further you progress, the fewer teachings there are. The Great Path is really NO PATH.
Morihei Ueshiba
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In a real battle, atemi is seventy percent, technique is thirty percent.
Morihei Ueshiba
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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.
Morihei Ueshiba
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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.
Morihei Ueshiba
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The divine is not something high above us. It is in heaven, it is in earth, it is inside us.
Morihei Ueshiba
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Master the divine techniques of the Art of Peace and no enemy will dare to challenge you.
Morihei Ueshiba
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PRACTICE THE Art of Peace sincerely, and evil thoughts and deeds will naturally disappear. The only desire that should remain is the thirst for more and more training in the Way.
Morihei Ueshiba
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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.
Morihei Ueshiba