The Purpose of Aikido (1/5)

I wonder if you grasp the real purpose of Aikido?  It is not merely training yourself in the techniques of bujutsu.  Its other purpose is the creation of a world of beauty, grace, and elegance.  It is to make this world a better place, a world of joy.  As I am always saying, God gave us this world, and the world is all one family.  We have the continued privilege of enjoying its beauty and splendor.  It is our obligation, as human beings, to establish a society that does justice to that beauty and splendor.  Our goal in budo is not merely to protect ourselves.  We must accept the gift of the divine love of God and constantly strive to honor that gift by nurturing the changes that will bring happiness to the world.  If we truly honor the sacred heart of budo, we must work for peace, for a world without quarrels, without misery, without conflict.  This is the real reason that we practice Aikido.  Aikido is a way of making the universal principle clear.  Its purpose is to create a reasonable and logical world.  The society that harmoniously combines body and mind produces a world of unity.  We ourselves must take the responsibility to realize the heart and mind of God.

  (O Sensei Morihei Ueshiba)