| Affirmations are positive statements that are | | | | holy beings of the spiritual realms. 'Chinkon-kishin', |
| repeated again and again. After repeating them | | | | an ancient Shinto meditation, similar to those used |
| several times every day, they will begin to | | | | by the Hindus and Tibetans was used to calm the |
| develop power behind them to change your | | | | spirit and return to the divine spirit. |
| outlook on life. Over time this gives you a belief | | | | Closely related to this practise is 'Misogi', ritual |
| that you can actually reach your dreams desires | | | | purification. Using cold water, in a fast flowing river |
| and life goals. | | | | or beneath a waterfall, to wash away impurities. |
| Using the power developed through Aikido | | | | External misogi for the outer body and internal |
| kotodama, you can finally let go of limiting beliefs | | | | misogi (breathing techniques) for the inner body |
| and have the courage and confidence to get out | | | | aims to leave the mind free from base passions |
| there and live your life well. | | | | and worldly concerns. |
| Kotodama sound vibration is the vitality of life and | | | | Kotodama was detailed by Morihei Ueshiba as 'one |
| creation, and is the hidden energy source that | | | | source, four spirits, three elements and eight |
| creates the form and function of universal spirit... | | | | powers'... |
| known as ki, chi, prana, magnetism, vital life force | | | | One Source |
| etc. | | | | The primordial beginning and centre of the |
| In many cultures around the world, words as | | | | universe. |
| mantras are traditionally considered sacred, and | | | | Four Spirits |
| how they are used is thought to create or | | | | 1. Kusu-mitama: heaven, wisdom, light, principle |
| destroy someone's spiritual power. | | | | 2. Ara-mitama: fire, valor, progress, completion |
| Each kotodama, whether spoken thoughts, or | | | | 3. Nigi-mitama: water, fidelity, harmony, propriety |
| expressed through movement or form, affects | | | | 4. Sachi-mitama: earth, love, compassion, |
| you physically and spiritually. In the religions of the | | | | cherishing |
| world it is experienced through chanting, prayer | | | | Three Elements |
| and singing. | | | | 1. Iku-musubi: harmonisation, vapor, fluidity |
| Morihei Ueshiba O'Sensei (1883-1969) the founder | | | | (triangle) |
| of the martial art of Aikido generally thought of | | | | 2. Tara-musubi: inhalation, liquid, unification (circle) |
| his system in terms of the science of sound | | | | 3. Tamatsume-musubi: exhalation, solid, solidity |
| vibrations. These sounds filled with cosmic energy, | | | | (square) |
| activate and sustain creation and through their | | | | Eight Powers |
| interaction the universe began. | | | | 1. Movement |
| Every principle has a sacred seed sound, which | | | | 2. Calm |
| contains its essence. Aikido is not a fighting art or | | | | 3. Solidification |
| competitive sport, but a way of experiencing the | | | | 4. Release |
| laws of nature and the universe. | | | | 5. Extension |
| Kotodama is the esoteric science of 'sound spirit'... | | | | 6. Retraction |
| the pure sound vibrations manifested as sound, | | | | 7. Unification |
| colour and form. Every principle and technique has | | | | 8. Division |
| a sound, a sacred vibration that contains its | | | | Morihei Ueshiba often said that the two 'Secrets' |
| essence. | | | | of Aikido are... |
| In aikido theory, the sounds a, e, i, o, u, gave | | | | Misogi which deals with methods of purification of |
| birth to spirit-matter, fire-water, yin-yang and | | | | mind and body which are the essentials for life... |
| further evolved into the 75 kotodama sounds | | | | pure air and water, organic food/nutrition, |
| that maintain the whole of existence. This | | | | beneficial exercise, good sleep and relaxation, and |
| cosmology is similar to the tantric concept of the | | | | mind power. |
| universe, Hindu, Buddhist, Shinto and the big-bang | | | | Kotodama - the sound U, which is the origin of |
| theory of physicists. | | | | spirit and substance, divides into two. Sound A, |
| Morihei, in his talks and sermons, frequently | | | | which is yang/fire energy goes up to heaven. |
| referred to the concept of 'taka-ama-hara' (the | | | | Sound O, which is yin/water energy goes down |
| high plain of heaven, where the Shinto Gods | | | | to earth. |
| dwell). He also hinted that this universe is not in | | | | The opposing force that holds the two together |
| the sky but in the pit of the stomach 'hara' from | | | | between heaven and earth has been called: Ki, Chi, |
| where he summoned his divine strength and | | | | Prana, magnetism, vital life force etc. Vibrations of |
| power. Before training he would use the sound | | | | sound have the Power to connect spirit and form. |
| vibrations of the kotodama from the centre of | | | | By using these concepts in your daily affirmations |
| his being to activate the flow of energy and light. | | | | you will build up real power over time. The main |
| In mystical Shinto and esoteric Buddhism, it is | | | | thing is to practise every day, immerse yourself |
| believed that the masters, after years of very | | | | in your chosen sound and be patient. |
| severe training, can see, with the inner eye, the | | | | |