A
Lecture by O-Sensei Morihei Ueshiba
Aikido
technique is structured on circular movement, for harmony is brought about and
all conflict resolved through the spirit of the circle. The response of the
body, mind and spirit to the principle of the circle is vital to the creation
of technique. A circle encloses space, and it is from the perfect freedom of
this emptiness that ki is born. From the center of this birthplace, the
creative processes of life are joined with the infinite, immeasurable universe
by the spirit. The spirit is the Creator, the eternal parent giving birth to
all things. The Budo of Aikido springs from the mastery of the spirit of the
circle. The essence if this Budo is to embrace the complementary action of
cause and effect and to draw into yourself all things as if they were held
within the palm of your hand. You have a spirit, therefore you must realize
that each person has a spirit. When the life processes are connected with the
spirit and the fundamental principle of the circle is given birth in Aiki, all
things are led to completion through the circle. All things are freely created
by the circle. The secret of the circle is to create technique by piercing the
very center of space
