Art of Peace, The

The inspirational teachings in this collection show the real way of the warrior is based on compassion, wisdom, fearlessness, and love of nature. The teachings are drawn from the talks and writings of Morihei Ueshiba, founder of the Japanese martial art of aikido, a mind-body discipline he called the "Art of Peace." Aikido offers a nonviolent way to victory in the face of conflict (as compared to the cunning strategy advocated by Musashi's Book of Five Rings or Sun Tzu's Art of War). Ueshiba believed that aikido principles, such as the Four Great Virtues of Bravery, Wisdom, Love, and Friendship, could be applied to all the challenges we face in life-in personal and business relationships and in our interactions with society. This is an expanded version of the original miniature edition that appeared in the Shambhala Pocket Classics series. It features a new introduction by John Stevens, as well as translated doka (didactic "poems of the Way"), and Ueshiba's own calligraphy.