Prior to World War II, Kanshu Sunadomari was a direct live-in student of Morihei Ueshiba, the founder of Aikido. This book collects short articles drawing on 60 years of study. They feature quotes from the founder along with the author's personal interpretations of how Aikido can promote inner tranquility and help foster world peace.

'Aiki is love. It is the path that brings our hearts into oneness with the spirit of the universe to complete our mission in life by instilling in us a love and reverence for all of nature.'-Morihei Ueshibe, The Founder of Aikido

In his teen, Kanshu Sunadomari was a live-in student of the Founder of Aikido, just prior to World War II. After the war, he was one of the first people to begin teaching the art of Aikido, and in 1961 he received the rank of 9th dan directly from the Founder. After his teacher's passing, Sunadomari formed an independent organization to study the spiritual teachnigs of Aikido. In 1999, he named his practice Aiki Manseido Aikido, symbolizing his dedication to disseminating the Founder's philosophy to future generations and developing the art as a way to help bring about world peace.

Enlightenment through Aikido focuses on aikido's spiritual teachings, drawing on Sunadomari's experiences as a direct student of Morihei Ueshiba. Quotes from the Founder and the author's interpretations show how Aikido can develop inner strength and tranqulity. This book is an excellent companion for those practitioners who aspire to go beyond the physical in their journey along the path of Aikido.

Contents

'The spirit of aiki manseido' calligraphy
'The spirit of aiki manseido'
Translator's note by Dennis Clark
Foreword by Reverend Andrew Ellis
Preface
My mission
To the people whom I have had the pleasure of meeting on this path
Finding the way
One's own mission
Taking hostility from our hearts
What is Takemusu aiki?
The mission of Takemusu aiki
A path for the new millennium
Each and every one of us is the savior
The spirit of heaven and earth
Present heart and mind
The path to the pinnacle
The last five minutes
Where are you now?
Our sole possession
The grand drama of life
Understanding gratitude
A world of differing viewpoints: Seeing, Hearing, and Interpreting
The spirit of the universe
In the flash of an instant
What is Shugyo?
The fulfillment of one's mission
Ups and downs
Remembering our beginnings
Given the gift of life
The meaning of strength I
The meaning of strength II
The spirit of aiki manseido
The power of aiki I
The power of aiki II
Gifts bestowed upon Us
On the occasion of Manseikan aikido's 45th anniversary
Fifty years later, reflecting on the start of a new century
Furimiru I
Furimiru II
Closing
Aiki Manseido Information