Bibliography Index

• Aikido and Spirituality

  Margaret Greenhalgh / VDM Verlag (2010)

  Aikido / Spiritual

  Summary: From the Publisher: Among the modern martial arts most often mentioned in relation to "spirituality" is the Japanese martial art aikido, created by Morihei Ueshiba (1883 -1969) in the 1940s. He described aikido as an art of peace and viewed its practice as a spiritual endeavour. Academic observers, however, have cast doubt on the authenticity of spiritual content in the martial arts while others consider that spirituality is not possible outside the confines of established religion. This book refutes these arguments by exploring in detail aikido's relationship to Japan's spiritual traditions. Drawing extensively on Ueshiba's discourses and writings, it compares the aikido world view and practice methods with those of four belief systems influential in Japan - Daoism, Zen Buddhism, Shingon Mikkyo and Shinto. The book shows how Ueshiba pierced the meaning of these traditions and was able thereby to synthesise their spiritual practices creatively. It also sheds light on various sources of confusion surrounding spiritual aspects of the martial arts and should interest martial arts' practitioners and anyone concerned more widely with new forms of spirituality.

• Aikido and Words of Power

  William Gleason / Destiny Books (2009)

  Aikido / Spiritual / Technical

  Summary: This is a pre-release listing for this upcoming title (due February, 2009).

• Aikido and Words of Power: The Sacred Sounds of the Kototama

  William Gleason / 1st edition, Destiny Books (2009)

  Aikido / Philosophical / Spiritual

  Summary: Click this link to buy an autographed copy of William Gleason's new book, "Aikido and Words of Power": http://shobu.org/aikido_and_words_of_power.php

• Aikido with Ki

  Koichi Tohei & K. Maruyama / 1st edition, Kodansha International (1984)

  Spiritual / Technical

  Summary: This is a beginners' guide to the philosophy and techniques of Shin-Shin Toitsu Aikido. The author is a direct, long time student of Koichi Tohei, who "supervised" the production of this book. Part one spends a few pages on the philosophy of this branch of Aikido. Part two, details 55 basic exercises and techniques reminiscent of Tohei's first books. The photos are clear and the explanatory text extensive. There is an appendix on care of the hakama, and a short glossary.

• Budo Renshu (Budo Training in Aikido)

  Morihei Ueshiba / 1978

  Aikido / Philosophical / Spiritual / Technical

  Summary: This book was originally one of the two compiled works of O'Sensei, published in Japanese in 1933. This edition has been painstakingly translated into bilingual English/Japanese by Larry and Seiko Bieri, and republished in 1978 under the supervision of Kisshomaru Ueshiba Doshu. It is profusely illustrated with hand drawings, and bound in the traditional Japanese fashion, with cardboard slipcover. The book reads back-to-front. Covered are much technique and explanation of principles.

• Diary of the Way

  Ira Lerner / Ridge Press (1976)

  Aikido / Philosophical / Spiritual

  Summary: From the Publisher: Diary of the Way is a beautiful book from Hawaii that explores the lifestyles of 3 master martial artists. Yukiso Yamamoto was one of the very first Aikidoists in America who was a student of Koichi Tohei. Lily Siou studied and taught Chinese medicine and Chi Kung. Andrew Lum is a Tai Chi teacher. This book is written in a way to draw the reader to the 3 teachers and shows that regardless of the discipline, enlightenment can be found in one's daily life. Loaded with amazing black and white photos taken on location in Hawaii.

• From Kicks to Christ: The Aikido Way to God

  Joe Wokoro / CreateSpace (2011)

  Philosophical / Spiritual

  Summary: As martial arts have gained in popularity, they have been associated with their Eastern origins and identified with Eastern philosophies and religions. This book shows that beyond kicks, punches and throws, they can be a path to God and an aid in Christian spiritual growth. Drawing upon his experience in aikido, a Japanese martial art, and training in theology, the author shows how selected principles parallel and are congruent with the Christian message, with each section ending with a prayerful reflection for practical application in our Christian lives.

• Harmony with the Movement of the Universe

  Wayne Tourda & Vincent McCullough / Fourth Edition edition, McGraw-Hill Learning Solutions (2009)

  Aikido / Philosophical / Spiritual

  Summary: This book presents a collection of writings on Aikido and Yoga to students that are at an introductory level. It allows the students an opportunity to learn about the history, philosophy, and purpose of Aikido and Yoga as components of the science of kinesiology. In passing Assembly Bill 1725 and Title 5 of the California Education Code, the California State Legislature requires that all classes taught in the Community Colleges of the State of California must have a written component. This book satisfies that requirement for Aikido and Yoga within the Department of Kinesiology.

• How Aikido Can Change the World

  Michael Aloia / Aloia Publishing USA (2009)

  Aikido / Philosophical / Spiritual

  Summary: Aikido, as a martial art, embraces both the physical aspects of enhancement as well as the spiritual growth of the individual. Each practitioner discovers and journeys their own unique path - gaining a new perspective of the world around them and of themselves. "How Aikido Can Change the World" is a road map of that journey of discovery. This book discusses Aikido beyond the physical aspects. While Aikido is a physical martial way, its philosophies and peripherals carry over far into a practitioner's world if proper focus and realization are maintained. The author conveys his expedition of the art gained through personal experience, exploration and integration. "How Aikido Can Change the World" is definitely one that will be read multiple times, as each reading will provide further insight as the Aikido practitioner develops and grows.

• Japanese Arts and Self-Cultivation, The

  Robert E. Carter / First edition, SUNY Press (2008)

  Aikido / Philosophical / Spiritual

  Summary: This book is a philosophical exploration of several Japanese cultural arts (Aikido, Zen landscape gardening, the Way of Tea, the Way of Flowers, pottery making) and their connection to spiritual and ethical cultivation. A good portion of the book involves personal interviews with masters of these arts. Easy and engaging reading. Profound ideas.

• Kinesthetic Kabbalah

  Daniel Kohn / BookSurge, LLC (2004)

  Philosophical / Spiritual

  Summary: This book explores the similarities between the spiritual and philosophical aspects of Aikido, and that of Kabbalah, the mystic component of the Jewish faith. The author is both an Aikido nidan and an ordained rabbi. Sparsely illustrated.

• Letting Go: Talks on Aikido

  Christopher Curtis / MAKS Publishing (2007)

  Aikido / Anecdotal / Philosophical / Spiritual

  Summary: Most people pursue waking up in the way they go after a new car, or a mate, a college education, or becoming CEO, as if it's the same thing. But this is not the same. Those are temporary goals. There is nothing wrong with getting new cars or becoming CEO, or whatever else pleases you, but don't confuse the two. Achieving those things, we use skills that can be learned, whereas awakening does not result from education, a gathering of knowledge. This is the very highest art form: the art of letting go of 'doing' and dropping into resting in the awareness itself. This 'shift' is the perfect and complete unification of all aspects of life, of truly knowing and experiencing at the same time; suddenly, 'waaa!' It all comes together.

• Martial Arts: The Spiritual Dimension

  Peter Payne / Thames and Hudson (1987)

  Philosophical / Spiritual

  Summary: Although not purely Aikido, this book is included because of the Aikido training of the author (from Kanetsuka and Chiba Senseis), and because the book explores the aspects that many feel sets Aikido apart from other budo... the philosophy and spiritual components. Many references are made to O'Sensei, Kisshomaru Doshu, Saito Sensei and others. Well illustrated.

• Shinki. Aikido with Nobuyuki Watanabe

  Kenbukai e.V. / edition greenstuff (2010)

  Aikido / Proverbial / Spiritual

  Summary: Preface

• Stepping Off The Mat

  Rick Berry / 2 edition, Infinity Publishing.com (2004)

  Aikido / Philosophical / Spiritual

  Summary: While this book is directed to the serious martial artist, it is also of interest to the countless numbers of people who always wanted to do a martial art but for some reason or another did not. It is this audience that can benefit by using the martial arts principles contained in each chapter for practical reasons in everyday life. Through practical martial arts philosophy the reader will gain confidence and a positive outlook on life that a sincere martial artist possesses.

• The Heart of Aikido

  John Stevens & Morihei Ueshiba / Kodansha (2010)

  Aikido / Philosophical / Spiritual

  Summary: From the Publisher: "The Heart of Aikido: The Philosophy of Takemusu Aiki" takes the reader on a spiritual journey straight to the essence of Aikido, in the words of the great Founder himself. Ueshiba, affectionately known as O'Sensei, or "Great Master," devoted himself to the promotion of peace and expression of universal human values, and spent a substantial part of his life imparting and teaching these values. Taken largely from transcripts of lectures he gave, The Heart of Aikido draws on the essence of the Founder's philosophy and spirituality based on the Shinto religion, and his beliefs on the divinity of the true self and the universe. His teachings also emphasize the importance of harmony in Aikido, and how ultimately humans can foster a peaceful society by dispelling aggression through such harmony.

• The Journey of Aikido; Reflections on the Path

  Lawrence Novick / Wintertime Press (2009)

  Aikido / Anecdotal / Philosophical / Proverbial / Spiritual

  Summary: Drawn from the past 26 years of training and teaching, this book is a collection of the author's thoughts about the deeper elements of Aikido and how it relates to life, not only martial arts. Inevitably, it is also reflective of his own personal and spiritual journey.

• The Secret Teachings of Aikido

  Kisshomaru Ueshiba & Morihei Ueshiba / Kodansha (2007)

  Aikido / Philosophical / Proverbial / Spiritual

  Summary: (Scheduled for retail release in 1st quarter 2008) Translation by John Stevens. "The Secret Teachings of Aikido" is a collection of the spiritual teachings of the Founder. In this book, Morihei Ueshiba explains how Aikido is both the spirit of love and the study of that spirit. The author reflects on the rich and varied landscape of Aikido philosophy, discussing how Aiki is the marvelous functioning of breath, and how, through diligent use of Aikido's breathing techniques, the practitioner can achieve true harmony.

• The Way of Aiki: A Path of Unity, Confluence and Harmony

  Jose Carlos Escobar / 1 edition, Trafford Publishing (2009)

  Aikido / Philosophical / Spiritual

  Summary: Aikido goes beyond martial arts: it does not only resolve conflict in a constructive way but it also develops our intuition. It gives us an insight that changes old paradigms and transforms our current vision of the world, our mind and spirit, through the practice of harmonious universal movements developed by its Founder, Kaiso Sensei Morihei Ueshiba. It is through its physical training system that Aikido helps us to get the technology we need to improve our lives by using unity, confluence and harmony (Aiki). The way of Aiki is a path intended to prepare us to avoid destructive actions in order to find the value and possibilities it offers in order to develop an Aiki culture. This book presents basic information derived from the great master’s teachings that might have been forgotten or neglected throughout the years of its expansion.

• Three Deep Breaths

  Thomas Crum / Bennett-Koehler (2006)

  Anecdotal / Philosophical / Spiritual

  Summary: Three Deep Breaths uses the popular parable format to illustrate an effective antidote to anger, stress, and overwhelming busyness. Through the story of a harried worker struggling to balance work, life, and family pressures, readers learn three different ways to use breathing to live in the present, think positive thoughts, and release negativity and judgment. By actively practicing the prescribed breathing exercises, readers maintain clarity and purpose even when confronted with the most chaotic and stressful environments. Straightforward and easy to learn, these simple centering techniques can be done in as little time as it takes to walk to the next meeting.

• Way of Aikido: Life Lessons from an American Sensei, The

  George Leonard / Dutton, then Plume (1999)

  Philosophical / Spiritual

  Summary: 1st Penguin/Plume SC printing 2000. Previously printed HB 1999 by Dutton (ISBN#0525944133). In this book George Leonard applies ancient techniques, physical and spiritual, to the battles we wage every day in both our public and private lives. Along the way, Leonard shows us unique and effective ways to:

• Zen Stories of the Samurai

  Neal Dunnigan / First edition, Lulu Enterprises, Inc. (2005)

  Anecdotal / Historical / Philosophical / Proverbial / Spiritual

  Summary: Intriguing encounters between Zen practitioners and samurai warriors are recaptured in this breviloquent collection of short stories drawn from the literature of feudal Japan. These encounters deal with the nature of immediacy and its role in understanding the essence of human existence. For the martial artist faced with a conflict, the Zen state of mind, without distractions and illusions, can determine the difference between life and death. The warrior experience, as revealed in these traditional stories, is retold in a style that is relevant and graspable to the contemporary American martial artist. No particular religious background is required to appreciate these stories, but rather a curiosity about what allows people to achieve extraordinary performance when faced with life and death circumstances. Zen ink paintings by John Hrabushi offer a meditative and intellectual “cross training” throughout the collection. Foreword by noted Aikido Shihan Lorraine DiAnne.