| Morihei Ueshiba (1883-1969) founded the Aikido, | | | | The third and perhaps most profound event |
| The Art of Peace. He was no stranger to battle | | | | came during World War I I . O-Sensei had a vision |
| and conflict having served in the Russo-Japanese | | | | of the Great Spirit of Peace, a path that could |
| war. He also saw action in several battles in | | | | lead to the elimination of all strife and the |
| Mongolia. He claimed to have had three visions | | | | reconciliation of humankind.. " The Way of the |
| which led him to promote a different kind of | | | | Warrior has been misunderstood as a means to |
| attitude toward warriorship and humanity. | | | | kill and destroy others. Those who seek |
| The first was in 1925 at the age of 42. Ueshiba | | | | competition are making a grave mistake. To |
| was in a bar when a drunk kept trying to | | | | smash, injure, or destroy is the worst sin a |
| provoke a confrontation. O-Sensei tried to ignore | | | | human can commit. The real Way of the Warrior |
| the lout but the man continued to harass Ueshiba | | | | is to prevent slaughter- it is the art of peace,the |
| and the other patrons. Morihei was about to put a | | | | peace of Love." |
| stop to this drunken display when he was quietly | | | | Morihei Ueshiba taught the Art of Peace as a |
| informed that the troublesome man was a fairly | | | | creative mind-body discipline, as a peaceful means |
| high-ranking member of the Royal family. Wanting | | | | of handling aggression, and a way of life that |
| to avoid a possible death sentence for attacking a | | | | fosters wisdom, love, and friendship. Ueshiba |
| noble, Ueshiba decided to prevent a fight at all | | | | believed that the Art of Peace is a medicine for a |
| costs. The swordsman drew on him but Ueshiba | | | | sick world, and that life means growth. If we stop |
| was able to avoid all of his advances. Over and | | | | growing, technically and spiritually we are as good |
| over the man came at O-Sensei but he swiftly | | | | as dead. |
| maneuvered around to safety. The man finally | | | | " The Art of Peace does not rely on weapons or |
| tired of his repeated failed attempts. To save | | | | brute force to succeed; instead we put ourselves |
| face in front of all of the onlookers the man | | | | in tune with the universe; maintain peace in our |
| announced, "YOU ARE NOT WORTH KILLING | | | | own realms, nurture life, and prevent death and |
| ANYWAY". Morihei left and went to his garden. " | | | | destruction." |
| Suddenly the earth trembled, golden vapor welled | | | | "The world will continue to change dramatically, |
| up and engulfed me. All at once I understood the | | | | but fighting and war can destroy us utterly. What |
| nature of creation. The Way of the Warrior is to | | | | we need now are teachings of harmony, not |
| manifest Divine Love, a spirit that nurtures all | | | | those of contention. The Art of Peace is required, |
| things". | | | | not the art of war". |
| The second came during a personal Ritual | | | | "One does not need buildings, money, power, or |
| Purifacation. He suddenly forgot all of his martial | | | | status to practice the Art of Peace. Heaven is |
| training. "All techniques were now vehicles for the | | | | right where you are standing, and that is the place |
| cultivation of life, knowledge, virtue and good | | | | to train! |
| sense, not devices to throw and pin people." | | | | |