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Morihei Ueshiba, who founded Aikido early in this century, intended
that his martial art would give form to profound spiritual truth. He saw
Aikido not as a fighting method or as a competitive sport but rather as a
means of becoming one with the laws of universal ki, or life energy.
Unfortunately, the subtleties of Ueshiba's teachings, veiled in the
esoteric terminology of Shinto, can be puzzling for even the most advanced
practitioners. These teachings are not passed down today, and have never
been introduced to the West.
William Gleason's The
Spiritual Foundations of Aikido is the first book to introduce the
underlying spiritual principles of Aikido, the elusive concept of kototama
(word souls), and little-known teachings of Shinto and Aikido.
"If interested in a serious exploration of Japanese religion, the
practice of Zen, or aikido history, this title could serve well. It
thoroughly explains the basic philosophical concepts behind this martial
art and the components of Shinto and Zen." -- Library Journal
"...perhaps the most exhaustive work yet done on the relationship
between aikido and Shinto thought. It is excellent." -- Dave Lowry, Aikido
Journal
 Table of Content
A Word of Recommendation Japanese version
A Word of Recommendation by Mitsugi Saotome-sensei
Acknowledgments
A Note to the Reader
Introduction
1. The Origins of Aikido
2. The Way of Harmony
3. Shinto: The Spiritual Roots of Aikido
4. Kototama: The World of Ki
5. One Spirit, Four Souls
6. Three Origins, Eight Powers
7. Practice and Principle
8. The Order of the Universe
Notes
Glossary
Bibliography
Index
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