Aikido
is practised by people of all faiths and religions with different beliefs and
views from around the world. Some people actively seek a spiritual meaning from
Aikido and there is a spiritual background associated with the art in the Japanese
Shinto 'Way of the gods' religion. When you train, you will not be explicitly
taught these aspects but they may develop within you should you to choose to
follow this aspect.
Aikido teaches that there is no real separation between that which is body and that which is mind, and in subjecting our bodies to this precise discipline, we might eventually influence our minds for the good. It is possible to create an inner calm and balance that may be carried into our daily lives, helping us to become better and more effective people.
A pure budo 'Warrior spirit' comes with the unification of technique, body and heart. The budo, which will manifest itself, does not depend upon the technique, but rather upon the heart of the practitioner. The aim of Aikido is a kindness of heart expressed through this spirit of budo.
Aiki is love and Budo is the path of the warrior. Combined with the spirit of heaven and earth in your heart, you can fulfil your life's destiny with unconditional love for everything. Aiki seeks to skilfully strike down the ego and inherent insincerity in battling an enemy.
Aiki is the path of forgiveness and enlightenment. The martial techniques provide discipline for the journey of uniting the spirit and the body through channelling the laws of heaven. The goal of Aikido training is not perfection of a step or skill, but rather improving one's character according to the rules of nature.
One becomes "resilient" inside yet this strength is expressed softly. Movements found in nature are efficient, rational, and soft, while the center is immovable, firm and stable. This principal of a firm center is universally consistent and must be true for each person. The culmination of Aikido is expressed by aligning one's center with the center expressed throughout nature.